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Is anyone using colostrum for baby squirrels? Wondering if the addition/using colostrum would help in the survival rates of our tiny red squirrels, under 10g that come in to our rehab. The ones that initially do well, tend to be the ones that pass away later on in their development. Also wondering if a goat colostrum, if available, would work better than bovine/cow. Any tips & suggestions appreciated :)
Wild Mammal Babies, the rehabber's bible, mentions it only as far as to say that it would likely be very beneficial; more to younger babies but apparently they think that older ones would benefit as well. The only mention bovine though, and don't offer anything in the way of instruction.
No one has used colostrum with their baby squirrels?
I have and I do but not for all and not all the time.
Ok, I'm on computer now instead of phone like I was when I initially replied.
Yes, I use Colostrum for babies. Not all of them though. I use Bovine and so far I've been pleased with it. I will say though, you really need to allow the formula to rest before feeding. The colostrum takes longer to fully breakdown.
I don't have a hard fast rule for when I use it, but generally it's when I suspect they are less than 3 days old, if they've been in the care of the public and been fed God knows what, if they've been core cold, or if they have bad injuries. Each case is specific. Some years everyone is on it and some years I barely use it.