Case report of the incidence of scurvy (vitamin C deficiency) and its effective treatment and eradication in laboratory guinea pig colonies

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Roozbeh Fallahi
Mojtaba Moharrami
Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran
10.22034/ijvcs.2026.15174.1110
Abstract
The aim of this study was to detect, treat and eradicate the occurrence of a disease in a colony of laboratory guinea pigs that had been causing reduced production and mortality over several months. Clinical signs included lethargy, anorexia, reduced growth and emaciation, ultimately leading to death. At necropsy, characteristic signs of vitamin C deficiency were observed, including subcutaneous hemorrhages, bleeding in muscles and joints. The diet was also sent to the nutrition laboratory for analysis. A total of 70 animals (5% of the colony) were identified with typical symptoms of vitamin C deficiency. In chemical analysis, no nutritional deficiencies were detected except for vitamin C. An examination of the breeding system at that center revealed that vitamin C had been used for more than a year with inappropriate purity and dosage. Immediate replacement with appropriate vitamin C was initiated, and the disease and mortality rates decreased significantly within 1-2 weeks, and no suspected cases of vitamin C deficiency were observed in the colony one month after use. The colony was monitored for 6 months, and the animals were in perfect health at all ages. It is recommended that guinea pigs be provided with high purity and adequate doses of vitamin C, given their vital need for it. Since guinea pigs, like humans, cannot synthesize this vitamin in their bodies, they are important as a suitable animal model in this regard.
Keywords
Scurvy
Laboratory Animals
Animal Model
Breeding Center
Vitamin C
Subjects
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Iranian Journal of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
Volume 20, Issue 1 - Serial Number 34
Spring &Summer 2026
September 2026
Pages 143-152