You should seek the advice of your veterinarian if your pet is ill as only he or she can correctly advise on the diagnosis and recommend the treatment that is most appropriate for your pet.

Scurvy is a potentially fatal disease which causes a variety of signs including haemorrhages, loosening of the teeth and musculoskeletal disorders. Vitamin C supplements are widely available for human use but are they needed for pets ?

The disease scurvy, which is caused by vitamin C (ascorbic acid) deficiency, has been a problem for mankind for thousands of years. But only a few species of animal actually need vitamin C to be in their food :

• Some birds
• Fish - deficiency causes poor growth, and skeletal deformities (twisting of the spine (scoliosis and lordosis) and broken back syndrome) as well as haemorrhages, lethargy and death
• Fruit bats
• Guinea pigs - signs include inappetance, weight loss, multiple haemorrhages and anaemia. Growth of bones can also be affected as well as bone demineralisation,  gingivitis and dental problems (alterations in teeth dentine).
• Insects
• Primates - including Humans - multiple haemorrhages, anaemia, bleeding gums, tooth loss, increased susceptibilty to infections,  musculoskeletal pain, lethargy and death.

Other species (including dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, rats, mice, horses, ponies, sheep, cattle, goats, pigs and poultry) can manufacture their own vitamin C - usually in the liver or kidney- and do not require vitamin C to be in their diet. However, there are certain circumstances when vitamin C supplements may be helpful in these other species including:

• Liver disease - if vitamin C synthesis is impaired
• In the presence of infectious diseases - eg respiratory viral infections, bacterial infections. 

However, for most species  the benefits of vitamin C supplementation have not been proved in these situations.

Natural sources of vitamin C include :

• Fruit
• Vegetables
• Small amounts are in some animal products including : fish, liver, milk

Prolonged cooking under pressure or by steaming can destroy vitamin C but it is quite resistant to normal boiling. Only small losses occur if the food is frozen or dehydrated.

Updated October 2013