Goats milk formula

[stepnstone]

If keeping a squirrel on formula as long as he/she will take it helps to prevent MBD, does this apply to the goat's milk formula also or are we talking apples and oranges? :thinking

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

If keeping a squirrel on formula as long as he/she will take it helps to prevent MBD, does this apply to the goat's milk formula also or are we talking apples and oranges? :thinking
goat milk is temporary until one can get fox Valley, as far as what i would do.

[stepnstone]

goat milk is temporary until one can get fox Valley, as far as what i would do.

Never used it myself, just trying to put some facts together before I present an argument...

[gs1]

fox valley has minerals etc added to it ...i think.... so that's why it's formula and goats milk is temporary.....

so it's apples and pears.... :D

[astra]

yeah, but...
if I remember it correctly, before there was FV, Jackie raised babies on goat's milk formula only... but... since I read about it over a year ago, don't take my word for it - ask Jackie, since she is the author of the formula.

[island rehabber]

I've been told by a few 20+ year rehabbers around here that, back in the day, "goat's milk was all we had, and that's all we used." I'm not so sure it's deadly but of course it's not optimal like FV, which is formulated for squirrels. In the category of "other than FV" formulae it's probably waaaaaay better than Esbilac or scalded milk. :shakehead

[Anne]

Before Esbilac, before Fox Valley-all we had was goat's milk. On the farm we used it on every orphan except calves. I have raised many a baby squirrel to release age on goat's milk. Very expensive orphaned foals were bottle fed goat's milk. My 46 year old son was bottle fed on goat's milk. Goat's milk is very easy to digest, usually there is no problem with diarrhea or constipation.
Fox Valley is wonderful because a lot of research has gone into it's mix of added vitamins and minerals to get it nutritionally complete.

[stepnstone]

Before Esbilac, before Fox Valley-all we had was goat's milk. On the farm we used it on every orphan except calves. I have raised many a baby squirrel to release age on goat's milk. Very expensive orphaned foals were bottle fed goat's milk. My 46 year old son was bottle fed on goat's milk. Goat's milk is very easy to digest, usually there is no problem with diarrhea or constipation.
Fox Valley is wonderful because a lot of research has gone into it's mix of added vitamins and minerals to get it nutritionally complete.

O.k. that's good to hear! But... did you also introduce some type of block?
What I'm trying to figure is if the squirrel (16-17 weeks) gets between 30-40 cc's per feeding 3 times a day and won't eat block does one need to cut back on the formula to get him hungry enough to eat block?

[Rhapsody]

While Fox Valley is TSB suggested & approved formula to feed baby squirrels one has to remember that many of babies have been raised on Goats Milk in the past and they grew up just fine....... as long as the squirrel is properly hydrated and does not come down with a case of diarrhea from the milk then I do not see any reason why a person should not be able to use it with their squirrels (babies, youths, adults).

[Rhapsody]

What I'm trying to figure is if the squirrel (16-17 weeks) gets between 30-40 cc's per feeding 3 times a day and
won't eat block does one need to cut back on the formula to get him hungry enough to eat block?Yes, one would need to cut back on the amount of GM the squirrel is getting at each feeding or eliminate one of the three feedings all together..........
and we strongly suggest feeding the block first thing in the morning while the squirrel is hungry and before they get their formula.

Have you read this thread for Picky Eaters with a set Feeding Schedule?
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31473

[stepnstone]

Yes, one would need to cut back on the amount of GM the squirrel is getting at each feeding or eliminate one of the three feedings all together.......... and we strongly suggest feeding the block first thing in the morning while the squirrel is hungry and before they get their formula.

Thanks Rhapsody, this is what I thought too and looked to see if anyone would reiterate that.

Have you read this thread for Picky Eaters with a set Feeding Schedule?
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31473

I have and will have a copy in hand when I go see the little guy. :thumbsup