ANTIOXIDANTS - ANIMAL NUTRITION

Antioxidants are substances that help to keep fats and fat-soluble ingredients (including vitamins A and E) from becoming oxidized. Once a fat is oxidized, it starts to taste rancid and loses much of its nutritional value. Dog and cat foods, which often contain significant levels of fat, are especially susceptible to oxidation. Canned foods are protected because they are airtight, but dry foods need to have antioxidants added to preserve them. If an antioxidant is used, then the common name of the antioxidant must appear on the label, along with a reference to the fact that it is being used as a preservative. There are both natural and artificial antioxidants, and they all work to preserve food from oxidation. The most common artificial antioxidants used in the pet food industry are ethoxyquin, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA). Commonly used natural antioxidants include tocopherols (vitamin E), ascorbic acid (vitamin C), citric acid, and rosemary.

TURTLE - NEED VITAMIN A

Hypovitaminosis A is a common problem in pet turtles caused by inadequate Vitamin A intake in the diet. The body requires Vitamin A to form healthy skin, mucous membranes and ducts within organs such as the kidneys and salivary glands. Hypovitaminosis A is most commonly seen in juvenile semi-aquatic turtles greater than six months of age. It is seen very rarely in tortoises because they are normally fed a diet that is rich in dark green and yellow vegetables.

most common symptoms will be:-
Swollen eye lids
Anorexia and weight loss
Necrotic stomatitis

Respiratory infections.

GUINEA PIG - VITAMIN C

Guinea pigs do not produce their own vitamin C, but require a good amount need to be supplemented. some vegetables high in Vitamin C can be given on weekly basis.

vegetables high in vitamin C - peppers, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, spinach, kale

vegetables low in vitamin C - beetroot, cucumber, lettuce, radish, sweet potato

vitamin C - Guinea pig diet

Why vitamin c is important - Vitamin c is especially important in a guinea pigs diet. Unlike many animals, guinea pigs can't produce their own vitamin c. A deficiency of vitamin c, could lead to scurvy and also loss of resistance to other diseases. Although good quality pellets contain vitamin c, its not an adequate amount for a guinea pig, their diet needs to be supplemented with vitamin c vegetables. They can be halved into 25 mg daily. Don't dissolve it into their drinking water, but add it to a little water, using a 1-ml syringe to administer the vitamin c.

Laire (guinea pig) with broken teeth

Laire is 2 years old, female guinea pig and suddenly had chewing problem and lost weight. she was not able to chew the food and slowly food intake was reduced. concerned owners brought her to my clinic and on examination i found the upper teeth were soft and broken. due to this reason she was not able to eat properly. she was not getting any supplement, necessary for a guinea pig to have. finally the broken teeth were trimmed and she was put on supplements and some medication. she has started eating better than before but will take time to recover completely.

Guinea pig - Need vitamin C everyday

Guinea pigs need a daily source of vitamin C. A lack of vitamin C causes a disease called scurvy. Scurvy in guinea pigs causes eye infections, hair loss and pneumonia. Guinea pigs need about 25-35 mg of vitamin C a day. You can break up 250 - 500 mg ascorbic acid tablets and sprinkle a portion on their food daily.
Guinea pigs can be maintained on commercial guinea pig pellets alone. Alfalfa hay and cubes can be feed if other hay is also fed. Many sources of alfalfa are too rich to be a major component of guinea pig diets. Fruits, starchy vegetables and sweet items are best not fed because they can destroy the normal intestinal flora or bacteria.