MAY 2010 UPDATE: Milk Replacers Study

[4skwerlz]

Thoughts....

What strikes me right away about this study is how much more consistent FV 32/40 is across different lot numbers. This is a major indicator of quality. Such large variances between lots is either sloppy manufacturing practices, or perhaps switching from one supplier to another. Some of the variances in fat/protein content appear large enough to cause digestive problems right there; opening a new can is almost like changing to a different formula. Nick uses mostly "food grade" ingredients. You can bet the farm that none of the other formula companies do that. It's unheard of in the pet food biz. That one factor means a huge difference in quality.

The other thing I notice is the extremely high sodium content in all the formulas....Zoologic gets a little too close to toxic levels of sodium for my comfort, especially when you consider most babies are going to be rehydrated with Pedialyte. ANOTHER reason to never, never, ever mix Pedialyte with formula.

Happy to see that FV has the highest calcium levels, but more importantly, notice that the calcium/phosphorus levels are balanced much more precisely in FV; this is the old "calcium/phosphorus ratio" and you will see that it is OFF in most of the other formulas. The low manganese level in all the Esbilac formulas is concerning, as this is vital for bone development.

As for the low copper in FV, copper is a trace mineral, which means it is found in very tiny amounts in most foods. The requirements for these nutrients are of course small as well: for an adult squirrel, I'd estimate around .33 mg per day. From what I can tell, the level of copper in FV 32/40 hovers around the highest level at which one begins to see problems in rats long term. As soon as a baby begins to nibble real food (esp. blocks), this problem goes away. He'll get all the copper he needs from those foods, plus animals get quite a bit of copper from chewing on anything metal! So much so that copper requirements for lab rats are often adjusted based on the type of caging.

I do hope Nick adjusts the copper level so we don't have to worry at all, but this does not look like a major issue to me.



Just my 2 cents (or buck-fifty )

[Suzie]

Hello again,

Two Squirrel-Stations had Problems with the new Esbilac (Cover with the white puppy). The powder was bad, smelled rancid.
The cans were exchanged and the new cans were ok. But this "white puppy-Powder" has a different consistency. It dissolves very bad. (The old powder with the Golden Retriever puppy was much better!) Now, I have seen on the PetAG website, that there is a new Esbilac for rodents. With goats milk

http://www.petag.com/features_details.asp?ItemID=1758

Can you tell me anything about this new powder? I can see, that crude and fat is the same like the Soja-Milkpowder Esbilac.

We can not buy here in Germany the Fox Valley Nutrition.

Is the goatsmilk-powder-Esbilac for rodents better, than the powder for puppys?
Is here anybody who use this goats milk powder for the Squirrels-Babys?

If it is just as good, we will try to convince the German manufacturer that he ordered the goat milk powder by Pet AG.

Sorry for my bad english. I hope you understand me. (google translate is not a good help)

Greetings from germany !

Suzie

[island rehabber]

Suzie your English is fine and I understand what you're saying!
I have never used the goat's milk Esbilac but I know people who have, and say they never have problems with it. Hopefully, some other members will come here today and have more specific information for you. I am truly sorry Fox Valley is not available to you in Germany because it's a great product. But wait a little longer and hopefully someone with experience will answer your question about the Goat's Milk Esbilac.

[Suzie]

Thank you very much for reply !

Ok, I will wait for other answers from the members here.



"Heinrich" first day outside

Have a nice day!

[4skwerlz]

I can ship Fox Valley formula to Germany. Shipping cost is between $15.00 and $20.00 USD.

[Suzie]

Hi,

I think this is only the price for shipping. But how is the complet price? (Powder and shipping = all inclusive?)
For example:
We can buy here in Germany the Esbilac 28 oz for EUR 48,00 = USD 61.10

How much cost 8 pounds Vox Valley incl. shipping.

A other rehabber would also like to change, because he had Problems with Esbilac.
But we can't order more than 8 pounds, because we don't have enough Babys. So I think it is not good to order more, the powder will be bad.
We can share the 8 pounds ( 4 P for one Person)
I think that Vox Valley is much cheaper than esbilac! Is it right?
It is so difficult to convert.

Vox Valley = pound
Esbilac = oz

Here in Germany = gramm

28 oz = 793 gramm = 48,-- Euro
1 Pound = 453 gramm
2 pound = 906 gramm = 16,xx Euro

puuuuuh

[4skwerlz]

Hi,

I think this is only the price for shipping. But how is the complet price? (Powder and shipping = all inclusive?)
For example:
We can buy here in Germany the Esbilac 28 oz for EUR 48,00 = USD 61.10

How much cost 8 pounds Vox Valley incl. shipping.

A other rehabber would also like to change, because he had Problems with Esbilac.
But we can't order more than 8 pounds, because we don't have enough Babys. So I think it is not good to order more, the powder will be bad.
We can share the 8 pounds ( 4 P for one Person)
I think that Vox Valley is much cheaper than esbilac! Is it right?
It is so difficult to convert.

Vox Valley = pound
Esbilac = oz

Here in Germany = gramm

28 oz = 793 gramm = 48,-- Euro
1 Pound = 453 gramm
2 pound = 906 gramm = 16,xx Euro

puuuuuh

Send me your Name and complete Address in a private message and I will calculate the total cost (including shipping) for 8 pounds of Fox Valley.

Yes, Fox Valley is cheaper than Esbilac!

[CritterMom]

Thank you very much for reply !

Ok, I will wait for other answers from the members here.



"Heinrich" first day outside

Have a nice day!

OMG, he is GORGEOUS!! Look at those awsome ears! Or is he just very surprised at outside?