KMR INFO Needed

[Rhapsody]

I have come across a vet that recommends KMR to her clients that have pet squirrels
and I was wondering if we have any info on here that I could share with this vet that
would explain to her why kitten formula is not a good food choice for squirrels.

:thankyou :imp

[Wonkawillie]

Vets should be smarter than this. It is just not nutritionally good for squirrels, Gives diarreah which kills from dehydration, causes painful gas, etc.

[Mommaluvy]

Is kmr a brand name?

Anyhow Wild mammal Babies says KMR Is one choice.. For rehabbing ...Right up there with FV and Esbilac I am confused by that. It actually scolds Goats milk formulas ( except for the allergic and those who can't digest the other choices) . But does not mention what species the KMR is for... Just that it's out there and acceptable for rehabbing.
(PGA. 60,61,62)

On 62 it warns that Mother Helper, Hartz puppy milk, Nurtural, Just Born, Unilac, and Tiny Tiger are all junk.

Perhaps that is where the vet is getting his or her info.

When I turn to page 316 it says for squirrels Esbilac and Multi milk ( after eyes opened)

I am not arguing.. And I am new.. But I would not recommend KMR for squirrels

[SammysMom]

If I am not mistaken, KMR has half of the fat and twice the protein of Esbilac. Not the correct nutrition for baby squirrels at all!

[Rhapsody]

Is kmr a brand name?

Anyhow Wild mammal Babies says KMR Is one choice.. For rehabbing ...Right up there with FV and Esbilac I am confused by that. It actually scolds Goats milk formulas ( except for the allergic and those who can't digest the other choices) . But does not mention what species the KMR is for... Just that it's out there and acceptable for rehabbing.
(PGA. 60,61,62)

On 62 it warns that Mother Helper, Hartz puppy milk, Nurtural, Just Born, Unilac, and Tiny Tiger are all junk.

Perhaps that is where the vet is getting his or her info.

When I turn to page 316 it says for squirrels Esbilac and Multi milk ( after eyes opened)

I am not arguing.. And I am new.. But I would not recommend KMR for squirrels


Yes, KMR is a Name Brand of kitten formula....... but correct me if I am wrong --I thought all kitten
formula was bad for squirrels and could cause death if used as they often become dehydrated due
the diarrhea or malnutrition is caused in the squirrels that are feed kitten formula.

If this is all true..... Why would the WMA book recommended it as a formula for squirrels?

[SammysMom]

It is the fat/protein that I believe is the issue. Having cared for one who was fed KMR, I will ALWAYS warn against it.

[Milo's Mom]

KMR (Kitten Milk Replacer) protein is 42 and fat is 25
Old and New Esbilac protein is 33 and fat is 40

[sandycheeks]

My wife and I used KMR for our girl Sandy. She always seemed fine. No diarrhoea or anything. We mixed it with whipping cream to increase the fat content.
After maybe 8 weeks I read on here that KMR was not recommended and we switched her to goats milk with whipping cream and yogurt for the last 5 weeks or so.
That book probably talks about KMR because it is in fact an option and I'm sure many people like us were successful using it.
There are obviously better more successful options available which should be used instead.

[CritterMom]

Cats are pure carnivores. The only thing that cats use vegetation for is to induce vomiting. It stands to reason that mama cat's milk would be very high in protein, since that is the diet they eat and require. Why would you feed a formula for a pure carnivore to an animal that is mostly vegetarian?

[Mommaluvy]

Yes, KMR is a Name Brand of kitten formula....... but correct me if I am wrong --I thought all kitten
formula was bad for squirrels and could cause death if used as they often become dehydrated due
the diarrhea or malnutrition is caused in the squirrels that are feed kitten formula.

If this is all true..... Why would the WMA book recommended it as a formula for squirrels?

I dunno anything about it...I agree with you.. It's werid . But that's what the book said but.. Like I said though.. On the squirrel pages it says esbilac was recommended. However back in the front when it discussed formulas it says KMR is ok... But IT DOES NOT SAY FOR A PARTICULAR SPECIES.

a person could read it wrong and assume KMR is good for squirrels.. That's what I am saying.

I took it to mean it was acceptable for rehabbing ... But maybe for coons or weasels.. I dunno .. I have not read their chapters. :dono

[Mommaluvy]

My wife and I used KMR for our girl Sandy. She always seemed fine. No diarrhoea or anything. We mixed it with whipping cream to increase the fat content.
After maybe 8 weeks I read on here that KMR was not recommended and we switched her to goats milk with whipping cream and yogurt for the last 5 weeks or so.
That book probably talks about KMR because it is in fact an option and I'm sure many people like us were successful using it.
There are obviously better more successful options available which should be used instead.

Maybe that's what it means.. Maybe the cream you added amended it and made it ok :dono

[SammysMom]

This is something that many of us who rehab have dealt with. KMR is not recommended for squirrels. Not to say that they can't survive on it for a while, but it is not what makes them healthy strong squirrels from the inside out. Esbilac and/or Fox Valley 20/50 is what we recommend after MANY years of collective experience with hundred of baby squirrels.

[Rhapsody]

This is something that many of us who rehab have dealt with. KMR is not recommended for squirrels. Not to say that they can't survive on it for a while, but it is not what makes them healthy strong squirrels from the inside out. Esbilac and/or Fox Valley 20/50 is what we recommend after MANY years of collective experience with hundred of baby squirrels.

AND --I totally agree..... 100% :thumbsup :thumbsup

I am just looking for INFO to back it up --some thing I can give to this vet if she argues
the fact with me, therefore, I want to make sure I have the right information to stand my
ground firmly with her --for the life of future squirrels she may recommend food for.

:Love_Icon

[Mommaluvy]

AND --I totally agree..... 100% :thumbsup :thumbsup

I am just looking for INFO to back it up --some thing I can give to this vet if she argues
the fact with me, therefore, I want to make sure I have the right information to stand my
ground firmly with her --for the life of future squirrels she may recommend food for.

:Love_Icon


Well you could give her the squirrel page where it says Esbilac :P Just not mention the first half. :)

[SammysMom]

Rhapsody, I totally understand the need to be armed with information. I just worry sometimes when we have these discussions that somewhere down the line a new member reads it and gets the impression that KMR is an option. It is not an option that TSB backs and I wanted to make that clear. I just try to see these threads through a newbie's eyes and make things as clear as possible. Good luck with your vet, but you shouldn't need it with the fact that the protein is way too high for squirrels. Remember that too much protein can be difficult for little bodies to handle. Wherever there is KMR, there is usually Esbilac powder with probiotics. Why not go with the one we know to be the best for the situation?:Love_Icon

[Rhapsody]

Rhapsody, I totally understand the need to be armed with information. I just worry sometimes when we have these discussions that somewhere down the line a new member reads it and gets the impression that KMR is an option. It is not an option that TSB backs and I wanted to make that clear. I just try to see these threads through a newbie's eyes and make things as clear as possible. Good luck with your vet, but you shouldn't need it with the fact that the protein is way too high for squirrels. Remember that too much protein can be difficult for little bodies to handle. Wherever there is KMR, there is usually Esbilac powder with probiotics. Why not go with the one we know to be the best for the situation?:Love_Icon

I think we have made it pretty clear in this thread that KMR while safe for kittens is NOT
to be used for squirrels. And it is not my vet that is recommending the KMR to their
clients....... My vet knows better --the vet I am talking is some one else's vet and she is
telling them to feed their pet squirrel the KMR and I advised them differently and then
came here looking for some good solid info to back me up.

:thumbsup