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Post by SiLamb on Aug 22, 2014 14:26:04 GMT
I've noticed that Oxbow's Vit C is changing. I've been using the Vit C made from juices which has 50 mg of Vit C. and splitting them in half. The bottle lasts me about 90 days. I say about because if the boys have a more stressful day, I give them an additional half since piggies require more C when stressed. Oxbow has discontinued this C and replaced it with a Vit C with hay in it which has 25 mg of Vit C. This means that a bottle of 90 pills would only last me about 45 days. That just doubled the cost. Argh. I can't find any sites online discussing this change. I went onto Amazon.com and bought four bottles (about a year supply) yesterday of the old pills. I would have loved to buy more, but I started to be concerned about potency after a year. Has anyone tried the new Vit C pills? Thoughts? I've read some reviews where some piggies weren't into the new pills but were into the old pills. For me, Harry immediately took to eating the old pills and Weasley didn't. After offering the pill daily to Weasley for a couple of weeks, he finally started eating them. Now he begs for them with Harry every morning.
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Post by 3piggles on Aug 22, 2014 15:28:46 GMT
I use orange juice, as I couldn't get mine to take the pills. I'll see if I can find anything on the change. Oxbow listens to its customers, so I'm thinking this change is based on customer comments.
Can you check the nutrient breakdown on the bottle for the amount of calcium. 50-70mg is high.
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Post by SiLamb on Aug 22, 2014 17:24:24 GMT
I don't have the new vitamin c which has that amount of calcium. You made a good point. I just sent an email to Oxbow asking them about the calcium levels. I'll post what their response is.
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Post by 3piggles on Aug 22, 2014 19:46:35 GMT
I've looked online and can't find the breakdown for the juice-based ones you are currently using. Daily C. I'm thinking the change is based on how long the C takes to metabolize, how much calcium, what other benefits it provides, and how likely the pigs are to want to eat it. One or more of those probably drove the product change. However, if the Daily C had a lot less calcium, that's definitely an issue with the new version, which I think has too much calcium.
A former member who did a lot of research into the best amount of calcium for pigs said university vets who specialized in guinea pigs in her country said 1-4mg/pig/day. Since it's in pellets, hay, veggies and these tablets, it's impossible to limit calcium to less than 4mg/pig/day. Having as much as the new tablets have gives way more calcium than they need without what's already included in the pellets and hay.
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Post by SiLamb on Aug 22, 2014 21:12:26 GMT
Have I told you lately how awesome you are, 3piggles?
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Post by 3piggles on Aug 23, 2014 22:26:04 GMT
Aw I've been a piggy mom for a while
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Post by SiLamb on Aug 25, 2014 14:37:27 GMT
If anyone is interested in purchasing from Amazon.com the old formula for Vit. C from Oxbow, I just received my order of them and each bottle's Best By date is 12/2015.
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Post by 3piggles on Aug 25, 2014 19:05:54 GMT
On Oxbow's site they said the old would be available as long as supplies lasted, and a little over a year is a very reasonable lead time for the change. It's never easy to change to a new product, when you really like the old one.
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Post by jolovespiggies on Aug 29, 2014 17:30:14 GMT
I have found that with many things, the old one which we all like is suddenly replaced by a different product. I think when somethng works well, it should be left alone.
Hugs JO xx
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Post by 3piggles on Aug 29, 2014 19:09:35 GMT
Often the case, Jo. We have a saying: If it isn't broken, don't fix it.
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Post by jolovespiggies on Aug 30, 2014 17:17:20 GMT
Yes Piggles love, that expression is known here too and very true.
Hugs JO xx
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Post by SiLamb on Sept 4, 2014 6:46:32 GMT
Amen!
So I haven't heard back from Oxbow yet. I sent them a second request today.
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Post by 3piggles on Sept 4, 2014 15:24:53 GMT
I hope they respond, especially as they know the effect of calcium on animals prone to stones. I don't know if the tyoe of hay pigs eat can help prevent stones by moving food through faster. If so a good brand of western timothy hay might help counter the calcium/stones.
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Post by jolovespiggies on Sept 4, 2014 16:41:51 GMT
I find companies very bad generally when it comes to responding to emails, I have often had to send a posted letter, which is not good.
Hugs JO xx
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Post by SiLamb on Sept 4, 2014 18:18:01 GMT
Piggles, interesting thought. We are using small pet select 's hay now, so maybe. Something for me to research.
Jo, good idea. I'll try that if I can't get a response.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk
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Post by 3piggles on Sept 5, 2014 18:54:40 GMT
We have a discussion about rodent/rabbit medical reference books in another thread. One of our lapsed (she grew up, went to college, got married and is going to vet school) members might be able to answer some of our questions. I'll send her a message, and see if she responds
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Post by SiLamb on Oct 15, 2014 20:40:54 GMT
Piggles, I guess she didn't respond. Oxbow hasn't responded.
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Post by 3piggles on Oct 22, 2014 20:02:51 GMT
No, she didn't. Sorry. I totally lost track of that issue.
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Post by SiLamb on May 6, 2015 16:17:24 GMT
I never did hear back from Oxbow but I'm no longer concerned about it. My vet said that as long as I'm using quality kibble like Small Pet Select or Oxbow and use the kibble within 90 days of opening the package, that I don't need to worry about their getting enough vitamin C.
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Post by 3piggles on May 7, 2015 18:44:16 GMT
If you have a way to reseal the package, it will keep for a lot longer than 90 days. I keep mine in a sealed container, and it's still fresh long after 90 days. If air gets to it, it loses nutrients quickly.
I also give mine a syringe of orange juice every morning. It keeps them used to drinking from the syringe, and gives them a good dose of C. I only give 1cc per pig per day, so they don't get mouth sores or too much sugar. If you're really worried about the C, try giving each boy a section of a small orange like a Clementine. Just one per day per pig is more than enough.
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