Formula question and introduction

[michele onstad]

Hi My name is Michele. I am new to this board. I was searching for some answers that I need regarding formulas and squirrels and ran across this board. It looks like a very comprehensive site and one that I am anxious to explore more thoroughly but for now I do have a rather pressing problem that I hope you can help me with.

I am a third year rehabber for baby squirrels of various species as well as raccoons. So far just this year I have raised 50 orphaned baby squirrels. All have reacted to the formula I've been using in a very negative manner. I work for a very reputable wildlife rehab facility on a volunteer basis I devote anywhere from 10 to 50 hours a week (depending on need) raising orphaned babies,I also do pre release and soft release for most of my charges. Our head of clinic has been unable to resolve this problem and that is why I've gone looking on my own.

I use Esbilac by pettag along with multi-milk and water the formula varies depending on what species of squirrel I am working with but for example the tree squirrels get 1 part esbilac to 1/2 part multi-milk and 2 parts water.

My problem is cronic diareah and or loose sticky stools. We have gone to the manufacturer several times asking if there was a change in formula as we have used this same product for the past several years without problems. They finally did admit to having complaints and said it was just that the formula was more concentrated this year and to add more water. We did that but ended up with still sticky gooy poos and the additional problem of babies acting as if they were starving and growth stunted. I have tried many suggestions such as adding Acidophilis and yougart to the formula. I've been also advised to feed bannanas to help harden up stools? Anyway nothing I have tried has helped and I still have six babies on formula this season. It has been aloooooooooooooooooong season. I guess our squirrels were happy this year.

Has anyone else here had problems with esbilac this year? Can you advise on what I can do? The rehab facility I voulanteer for has promised to look into new formula for next season but they still have a supply of very expensive stuff they want me to use this year. It has gotten so bad I actually have to change bedding several times a day and give babies a butt wash each feeding. One is now getting something that looks like diaper rash and is obviously uncomfortable.

Any advice is apreciated.

[Jackie in Tampa]

Hi My name is Michele. I am new to this board. I was searching for some answers that I need regarding formulas and squirrels and ran across this board. It looks like a very comprehensive site and one that I am anxious to explore more thoroughly but for now I do have a rather pressing problem that I hope you can help me with.

I am a third year rehabber for baby squirrels of various species as well as raccoons. So far just this year I have raised 50 orphaned baby squirrels. All have reacted to the formula I've been using in a very negative manner. I work for a very reputable wildlife rehab facility on a volunteer basis I devote anywhere from 10 to 50 hours a week (depending on need) raising orphaned babies,I also do pre release and soft release for most of my charges. Our head of clinic has been unable to resolve this problem and that is why I've gone looking on my own.

I use Esbilac by pettag along with multi-milk and water the formula varies depending on what species of squirrel I am working with but for example the tree squirrels get 1 part esbilac to 1/2 part multi-milk and 2 parts water.

My problem is cronic diareah and or loose sticky stools. We have gone to the manufacturer several times asking if there was a change in formula as we have used this same product for the past several years without problems. They finally did admit to having complaints and said it was just that the formula was more concentrated this year and to add more water. We did that but ended up with still sticky gooy poos and the additional problem of babies acting as if they were starving and growth stunted. I have tried many suggestions such as adding Acidophilis and yougart to the formula. I've been also advised to feed bannanas to help harden up stools? Anyway nothing I have tried has helped and I still have six babies on formula this season. It has been aloooooooooooooooooong season. I guess our squirrels were happy this year.

Has anyone else here had problems with esbilac this year? Can you advise on what I can do? The rehab facility I voulanteer for has promised to look into new formula for next season but they still have a supply of very expensive stuff they want me to use this year. It has gotten so bad I actually have to change bedding several times a day and give babies a butt wash each feeding. One is now getting something that looks like diaper rash and is obviously uncomfortable.

Any advice is apreciated.
oh boy!

YES YES YES...TSB refered Esbilac to all new members and most members used it, but PETAG has changed formulation process. You are not alone, we all have had similar issues with diarehha, losing some too!
We all have had problems...there are many threads pertaining to this!
Here is a link to nutrition forum...
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=191

Most here have switched to FoxValley...

Welcome to TSB:Welcome :wave123

[island rehabber]

:Welcome Michele! Yes, I am afraid that the "changes' in the manufacture of Esbilac and other Pet Ag roducts has caused illness and even death in squirrels and other mammals, throughout the rehab community. Pet Ag has ultimately dismissed this problem by changing their labels to say something to the effect of "Esbilac is for puppies...use Zoologic for wildlife" as if 15+ years of promoting Esbilac to rehabbers suddenly never happened!
The Squirrel Board has debated long and hard about this. We administrators have decided the best thing is to recommend goat's milk FOR THE SHORT TERM (3-4 days) while your order for Fox Valley is being delivered. www.foxvalleynutrition.com (http://www.foxvalleynutrition.com).

[Nancy in New York]

Hi My name is Michele. I am new to this board. I was searching for some answers that I need regarding formulas and squirrels and ran across this board. It looks like a very comprehensive site and one that I am anxious to explore more thoroughly but for now I do have a rather pressing problem that I hope you can help me with.

I am a third year rehabber for baby squirrels of various species as well as raccoons. So far just this year I have raised 50 orphaned baby squirrels. All have reacted to the formula I've been using in a very negative manner. I work for a very reputable wildlife rehab facility on a volunteer basis I devote anywhere from 10 to 50 hours a week (depending on need) raising orphaned babies,I also do pre release and soft release for most of my charges. Our head of clinic has been unable to resolve this problem and that is why I've gone looking on my own.

I use Esbilac by pettag along with multi-milk and water the formula varies depending on what species of squirrel I am working with but for example the tree squirrels get 1 part esbilac to 1/2 part multi-milk and 2 parts water.

My problem is cronic diareah and or loose sticky stools. We have gone to the manufacturer several times asking if there was a change in formula as we have used this same product for the past several years without problems. They finally did admit to having complaints and said it was just that the formula was more concentrated this year and to add more water. We did that but ended up with still sticky gooy poos and the additional problem of babies acting as if they were starving and growth stunted. I have tried many suggestions such as adding Acidophilis and yougart to the formula. I've been also advised to feed bannanas to help harden up stools? Anyway nothing I have tried has helped and I still have six babies on formula this season. It has been aloooooooooooooooooong season. I guess our squirrels were happy this year.

Has anyone else here had problems with esbilac this year? Can you advise on what I can do? The rehab facility I voulanteer for has promised to look into new formula for next season but they still have a supply of very expensive stuff they want me to use this year. It has gotten so bad I actually have to change bedding several times a day and give babies a butt wash each feeding. One is now getting something that looks like diaper rash and is obviously uncomfortable.

Any advice is apreciated.

Depending on where this was purchased and if it is still sealed, perhaps you can get a refund. I've heard of many people just demanding their money back. Then you can get the good stuff for this year...:)Personally, I wouldn't care how much I had invested in this product...it is killing many babies and I would rather throw it away than risk one life! There are also numbers somewhere here that shows the bad batches...perhaps you have one. Let me look for them...

[JohnRegsaver]

i had the same problem, before i started adding heavy whipping cream
i use 5tsp water 2tsp formula 1tsp heavy cream 1tsp yogurt...everytime
and my baby went from 17-120grams in... just under 4 weeks

[michele onstad]

Thank you all so much for your input. My super was beginning to think I was doing something wrong and that it was all in my head. I will forward this information to her. She did mention last time we spoke that she has been hearing of some of the same issues but because she does not live with the little tykes up close and personal as they are all raised off site and at my home. I am the only squirrel rehabber they have this year so they had no others to compare notes. I have only two left on formula five times a day and four on once a day with one baby on twice a day.. Once they start eating solids more it seems to help a bit. I am going to see if I can find an alternative but am wondering if the sudden change in formula at this stage is worse. I normally formula feed my greys until they are between 8 and 10 weeks of age so they have roughly two to four weeks left on formula.

[tatermama]

I had the same Gi problems with my baby flyer, diarrhea, no weight gain, bloating. I just switched to Fox Valley, and after just 2 feedings his poo is already starting to form back up! I firmly believe the Esbilac was causing his slow weight gain and diarrhea. I also tried adding heavy cream and yogurt with no better results. Crossing my fingers his GI problems have been solved! :D

[michele onstad]

Thank you again, I'm off to town to look for formula. Will let you know how my babies respond.

[michele onstad]

Thank you again everyone for your input. I found a formula by a different manufacturer that seems to be working so far. The poos are firming up and they are looking much better already.

I don't know a lot about formulas but it was my understanding that squirrels do not do will if given any type of egg product? Please correct me if I am wrong. But I did read and have been told by rehabbers that the egg yolks can cause severe illness, digestive upset and sudden death in squirrels. I do know the esbilac includes egg product in it formula and this may be part of the reason for the upset tummies?? We shall see how they do on the new formula.

[Nancy in New York]

May I ask what formula you have switched them to? Thanks for keeping us posted...

[tatermama]

Glad you have found something that has resolved the problems! :) I would be interested to know what formula you have found that works too. If you ever have any problems with what you are using now, I can't say enough good things about Fox Valley! They are easy and friendly to work with, and the prices seem to be cheaper than other formulas I have looked at. And we have had NO more bloating or diarrhea since switching. The only potential hassle with Fox Valley (that I can think of) is you do have to order it, but they were fast with the shipment. :)