Question 1

What is Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) used for?

Accepted Answer

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) is indicated for: Acute severe scurvy, acute vitamin C deficiency, Antioxidant, Antioxidant supplementation, Antioxidant supplementation during illness, copper hepatopathy adjunct, FIC (feline idiopathic cystitis) adjunct, Nutritional supplementation during illness, nutritional support, Pregnancy/lactation supplementation (increased requirement), Scurvy prevention during illness, Scurvy prevention/treatment, Severe scurvy, Vitamin C supplementation (obligate requirement).

Question 2

What routes can Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) be administered by?

Accepted Answer

Available routes: PO, SC, IV.

Question 3

Which species have cited Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) dosing data?

Accepted Answer

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) dosing in the ExoticRx formulary covers 7 species: African Grey Parrot, Ball Python, Bearded Dragon, Cat (Domestic), Dog (Domestic), Guinea Pig, Rabbit (Domestic).

Question 4

Is Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) a controlled substance?

Accepted Answer

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) is not federally scheduled as a controlled substance, but is veterinary prescription only in most jurisdictions.

Question 5

What are the warnings or contraindications for Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)?

Accepted Answer

ESSENTIAL supplement for guinea pigs (10-30 mg/kg/day minimum). Degrades rapidly in water — supplement daily. High parenteral doses may cause oxalate crystalluria. Most other species synthesize their own.

Question 6

What are the side effects of Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)?

Accepted Answer

Reported side effects, adverse reactions, and contraindications for Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid): ESSENTIAL supplement for guinea pigs (10-30 mg/kg/day minimum). Degrades rapidly in water — supplement daily. High parenteral doses may cause oxalate crystalluria. Most other species synthesize their own.

Question 7

How does Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) work?

Accepted Answer

Essential antioxidant and cofactor in collagen synthesis, immune function, and iron absorption. Guinea pigs cannot synthesize vitamin C endogenously (obligate requirement).

Species	Route	Dose	Frequency	Evidence	Source
Dog (Domestic)	PO	10–30 mg/kg	q12h	Weak	Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed
Cat (Domestic)	PO	10–30 mg/kg	q12h	Anecdotal	Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)

Drug Class

Routes

Indications

Mechanism of Action

Side effects & warnings

Species with Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) dosing data (13 dose rules)

Evidence levels across 13 dose rules

Backed by 2 published sources

Sample dosing (2 of 13 cited rules)

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