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Thread: WARNING DO NOT FEED Fox Valley 32/40

  1. #1
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    Exclamation WARNING DO NOT FEED Fox Valley 32/40

    3 years ago, a discussion was started about pinkies not digesting Fox Valley 32/40 formula.
    Since then this has occurred with older babies as well.
    Seasoned rehabbers were losing babies, from undigested formula that sat in the babies tummies
    like cement, with the milk line never disappearing.

    I won't rehash the nightmares this caused.

    Most people have since switched over to Powdered Puppy Esbilac for babies under 4 weeks
    and some have continued with just the Esbilac until the squirrel is weaned.

    This is just a reminder that Fox Valley 32/40 kills many/most pinkies, they cannot digest it.

    We've been complacent about alerting members of this, thinking that most already knew.
    I believe that after 3 years some felt the problem was rectified, (AS IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN!!!!)
    because we don't bring it up.

    However, in the past 3 years we have NOT recommended it to ANY new member, and this needs to be
    mentioned again as a reminder.

    This just happened again to a seasoned rehabber. She fed Fox Valley 32/40 and it sat like cement.
    Three of the babies have died.
    http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/s...ks-please-read

    Discussion from 8/2013

    http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/s...ght=Fox+Valley


    IF you have already fed this, a long time member has come up with this protocol below that has helped save his babies.

    Quote Originally Posted by Duckman View Post
    The trick for me seemed to be getting in as much water, as quickly as possible, once you see and feel the hardness in the belly. Not sugar water or Pedilyte, but plain water. I did this every hour (giving about .2-.3 ml) and ensure you stimulate after each, for 2 reasons. 1. You have to get that water out of the bladder, and it will burst if you don't. 2. You want that water to start working on the crud in the belly. After 8-10 hours, you should start seeing some movement out of the bowel (they will continue to poop, but you will start to see it more watery, which is what you want). At that time, start introducing diluted formula at the ratio of 25% Esbilac, 75% water. Feed this for the first half day. The second half day, I bumped up the ration to 50/50. I fed this for a day and then went to 75% Esbilac, 25% water and introduced full food the next day (and the blockage was gone!). So far, I am at 100% success rate. One note though. I check my pinkies after every feeding, so see if their bellies are hard or squishy. I would suggest everyone get in the habit of checking them after every feeding as habit and you can't go wrong in catching them before they bloat up. Once they take on that angry red color on their bellies (this is when their system goes septic), they are gone and can't be saved, so the trick is to catch them before this happens (hence, getting in the habit to see if their tummies are hard or not).
    Last edited by Nancy in New York; 09-04-2017 at 06:21 AM. Reason: added information.

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  3. #2
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    Default Re: WARNING DO NOT FEED Fox Valley 32/40 to pinkies

    Thank you, Nancy. Having four pinkies right now, and watching their little bodies digest Esbilac just fine, thank you very much, reminded me of the horrors we all experienced with FV 32/40 a few seasons ago.

    I believe we all became complacent or just frustrated at the fact that neither FV's owner nor a few others in the wildlife nutrition field seemed to take the problem seriously. Good rehabbers second-guess themselves; many of us thought it was our fault st first, not the formula. But it was SO many babies, and SO many good rehabbers, that there is no longer any doubt in my mind......

    IT WAS THE FORMULA.

    Island Rehabber
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    "Ancora Imparo" (I am still learning)
    Michelangelo


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  5. #3
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    Default Re: WARNING DO NOT FEED Fox Valley 32/40 to pinkies

    Just got a new report from a seasoned good Rehabber in my area.. Our friend ( also a TSB user ) went on vacation and was using the 20/50 per seeing what happened to my pinks and reading old reports here.. . My awesome friend And past mentor was squirrel sitting .. She thought our mutual friend had run out of 20/50 and that's why she sent it ... and put them on 32/40 ( transistoned) ( she is a seasoned Rehabber and I love her.. She just did not do a lot of pinks this year and did not know - we got next to no squirrels this spring )
    Anyhow.. She had the same problem I had.

    Skeletonal 2 - 3 week olds! Mixed litter of 8 now having the same symptoms as mine!
    Half have died. They had been thriving.

    I told her what to do to save them.. Let's pray they remaining bounce back.

    I am right in thinking this was reported to Nick?

    And anyhow .. It seems to me that FV may now be killing older infants not just 10 day and younger.

    BTW she did not notice any problems with her possums.. However I did. I lost all ten of my pinky possums on Fv32/40.
    Stephanie Carlson

    St. Melangell Small Mammal Sanctuary
    ODNR Permitted Cat 2 Rehabilatator
    https://www.facebook.com/StMelangellSmallMammal/

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    Default Re: WARNING DO NOT FEED Fox Valley 32/40 to pinkies

    Quote Originally Posted by Mommaluvy View Post
    Just got a new report from a seasoned good Rehabber in my area.. Our friend ( also a TSB user ) went on vacation and was using the 20/50 per seeing what happened to my pinks and reading old reports here.. . My awesome friend And past mentor was squirrel sitting .. She thought our mutual friend had run out of 20/50 and that's why she sent it ... and put them on 32/40 ( transistoned) ( she is a seasoned Rehabber and I love her.. She just did not do a lot of pinks this year and did not know - we got next to no squirrels this spring )
    Anyhow.. She had the same problem I had.

    Skeletonal 2 - 3 week olds! Mixed litter of 8 now having the same symptoms as mine!
    Half have died. They had been thriving.

    I told her what to do to save them.. Let's pray they remaining bounce back.

    I am right in thinking this was reported to Nick?

    And anyhow .. It seems to me that FV may now be killing older infants not just 10 day and younger.

    BTW she did not notice any problems with her possums.. However I did. I lost all ten of my pinky possums on Fv32/40.
    Oh you are definitely right about it killing even older babies.
    That's why we say DO NOT USE FV 32/40 for anything, EVER!!!!!!!!!!

    Nick was made aware of this by MANY people WAY back in 2013 when it started.
    Still he chose to do nothing, and repeated that he was unaware of any problem.

    Praying for the little innocent lives that are struggling to survive.

    EDIT:

    When we were told to go with the NEW Esbilac, in 2013 the member that mentioned the great results was a licensed Georgia rehabber.
    She specifically said to look for the Dried Whey Protein Concentrate on the Powdered Puppy Esbilac.
    I recently wrote this below:


    Quote Originally Posted by Nancy in New York View Post
    I remember when this member came on, that I took note that she mentioned DRIED WHEY PROTEIN.
    I compared it to the FV 32/40 which has dried milk protein, while the Fox Valley 20/50 has
    DRIED WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE.
    Both Esbilac and Fox Valley 20/50 have DRIED WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE.

    Here's her post from 2013


    Quote Originally Posted by Junior View Post
    I have had issues with FV setting up in the little ones guts and within a day or two they pass. I personally am not a fan of FV because Nick uses HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP in squirrel milk.......this is something that I think is causing poor growth rates and diarrhea. It is NOT something that I eat and I am certainly NOT giving it to my little guys!
    Now I am going to say that I have recently (along with several other seasoned rehabbers) tried the NEW Esbilac that has probiotics and Dried Whey Protein Concentrate!!! You have to look on the label to make sure of what you are getting!!!

    Finally once again I am having the fat necked babies that are flourishing......one of my girls gained 7 grams yesterday!!!

    I know what Esbilac has been and done in the past but they have changed the formula, who knows if it is because of all the phone call and flack that they got from rehabbers.......all I can say is it has changed and changed for the better.

    I am getting fantastic weight gains, much less poo (not nearly as hard as when they are on FV) which makes me think they are absorbing/utilizing more of the nutrients.

    I have tried everything on the market.......FV, MultiMilk, Old Esbilac, Century 21, Zoologic......and every mixture in between.

    So far this is giving me the results of the Old Esbilac and the Old MulitMilk.

    In case anyone wants to try I am mixing 2:1 Water to powder and adding in 1/8 part cream once they are up to 25 grams.

    **** I have not tried this on anything under 20 grams, so I am not speaking for the pinkies but I would have to think it is better and my little ones dying from FV!!!

    Good Luck !!!
    Christy

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    Default Re: WARNING DO NOT FEED Fox Valley 32/40

    I just took out the word pinkies in this thread's title,
    just to make it clear.
    Thank you Mommaluvy!!!!!!!!!!

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    Default Re: WARNING DO NOT FEED Fox Valley 32/40

    So, just to be clear. It is just the FV 32/40 and NOT the FV 20/50 with regards to feeding to older squirrels?

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    Default Re: WARNING DO NOT FEED Fox Valley 32/40

    Quote Originally Posted by Mel1959 View Post
    So, just to be clear. It is just the FV 32/40 and NOT the FV 20/50 with regards to feeding to older squirrels?

    Yes the 20/50 is fine.
    We even have members feeding babies with the FV 20/50
    and the Powdered Puppy Esbilac.
    I wouldn't feed the FV 32/40 to anything, regardless of age!

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    Default Re: WARNING DO NOT FEED Fox Valley 32/40

    Quote Originally Posted by Nancy in New York View Post

    Yes the 20/50 is fine.
    We even have members feeding babies with the FV 20/50
    and the Powdered Puppy Esbilac.
    I wouldn't feed the FV 32/40 to anything, regardless of age!
    Ditto. That's what I did last year.. Only the 20/50 . I never had the problem before this year. But my friend made a good point.. If the 32/40 problem is not being addressed .. Or if it's a mistake in formulating .. Cause it seems to be random .. Meaning some rehabbers lose tons of squirrels to this.. And others do not. Like her.. Never had this happen before and she has used 32/40 all along till now... Anyhow her point is..

    If it's not being addressed how can we trust the 20/50 ?
    Stephanie Carlson

    St. Melangell Small Mammal Sanctuary
    ODNR Permitted Cat 2 Rehabilatator
    https://www.facebook.com/StMelangellSmallMammal/

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    Default Re: WARNING DO NOT FEED Fox Valley 32/40

    I think that the higher fat content keeps things moving along. I jave a group now who had trouble with esbilac not moving through. I added 1/3 fv 20/50 and they are pooping like champs.
    Squirrels, squirrels and more squirrels....
    Prayers for the people who make this a better world...
    savesquirrels@sbcglobal.net



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    Default Re: WARNING DO NOT FEED Fox Valley 32/40

    Quote Originally Posted by Mommaluvy View Post
    Ditto. That's what I did last year.. Only the 20/50 . I never had the problem before this year. But my friend made a good point.. If the 32/40 problem is not being addressed .. Or if it's a mistake in formulating .. Cause it seems to be random .. Meaning some rehabbers lose tons of squirrels to this.. And others do not. Like her.. Never had this happen before and she has used 32/40 all along till now... Anyhow her point is..

    If it's not being addressed how can we trust the 20/50 ?
    This was my concern, being able to trust 20/50? If there have been no reported problems with it then I assume it's fine. I am getting ready to open a new bag of 20/50, and it's a little concerning. I hope that it is the same formulation I've been using. And no one at Fox Valley admits there's a problem with the 32/40 formulation?

  16. #11
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    Default Re: WARNING DO NOT FEED Fox Valley 32/40

    With baby season quickly approaching, I'm giving this thread a little bump.
    Seems that Fox Valley 32/40 has struck again.
    This has been an ongoing problem so this is just a reminder,
    it has NOT been corrected.

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    Default Re: WARNING DO NOT FEED Fox Valley 32/40

    Does anyone know if this formula can be fed to baby opossums less than 45 grams of weight?? According to the label is the correct formula to feed but I just want to make sure.

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    Default Re: WARNING DO NOT FEED Fox Valley 32/40

    So glad I came across this. I use FV for fox kits with no issues but I'm now just starting to get into possums and squirrels. Many sites say to use FV.

  20. #14
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    Default Re: WARNING DO NOT FEED Fox Valley 32/40

    Quote Originally Posted by Brittybich View Post
    So glad I came across this. I use FV for fox kits with no issues but I'm now just starting to get into possums and squirrels. Many sites say to use FV.

    The Fox Valley 20/50 is fine.
    It's the 32/40 that sits like cement in their tummies.

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    Default Re: WARNING DO NOT FEED Fox Valley 32/40

    Although a few rehabbers have reported that they did use FV 32/40 this year on very young squirrels (less than 4 wks old) , I would not chance it myself after losing a dozen pinkies to it in one season AS Nancy said, it turns to cement in their tiny bellies, bloats and kills them.

    The FV 20/50, on the other hand, is excellent.
    Island Rehabber
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    Wildlife Rehabilitator


    "Ancora Imparo" (I am still learning)
    Michelangelo


    *
    If you can't afford the vet,
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    Default Re: WARNING DO NOT FEED Fox Valley 32/40

    I am not clear on this, is this still an issue with fox valley 32/40? That is all our rehab center uses without any problems. I have been also using it without a problem. Another rehabber is using half and half esbilac. However last year all I used was Fox valley with no problems.

  25. #17
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    Default Re: WARNING DO NOT FEED Fox Valley 32/40

    Quote Originally Posted by Homefreesoon View Post
    I am not clear on this, is this still an issue with fox valley 32/40? That is all our rehab center uses without any problems. I have been also using it without a problem. Another rehabber is using half and half esbilac. However last year all I used was Fox valley with no problems.
    Does your center use it on pinkies (2 weeks old or less)? The problem was with neonates -- especially 1 week old or younger.
    Island Rehabber
    NY State Licensed
    Wildlife Rehabilitator


    "Ancora Imparo" (I am still learning)
    Michelangelo


    *
    If you can't afford the vet,
    You can't afford a pet.
    NEGLECT IS ABUSE.

    "Better one day in the trees, than a lifetime in a cage."

    '...and the greatest of these, is Love. '

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  27. #18
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    Default Re: WARNING DO NOT FEED Fox Valley 32/40

    There have been problems with older babies as well.
    Personally, I don't know of anyone that feeds FV 32/40 to any squirrels
    regardless of age.
    Last edited by Nancy in New York; 03-15-2018 at 02:26 PM.

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    Default Re: WARNING DO NOT FEED Fox Valley 32/40

    My center does not take neonates, they hand them off to us the home rehabbers, but they give us the protocol. When I first started with my first squirrel I did a bunch of research and started her on Esbilac, she always had very hard poo. When I found the center they made me switch to fox valley and told me it was the esbilac, not to use it. When I started doing neonates I followed their advice and had no problems with the 32/40.

    Starting my babies this year on 32/40, they came with diarrhea and I thought maybe it was the FV so I switched them to Esbilac Goats milk. Had a rehabber take care of them while I was gone and she switched them to Esbilac reg with pre/probiotics and half FV 32/40. Off and on bowel issues added antibiotics. Don't think the formula was the problem at all.

    So why do they still use it here do you think?

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    Default Re: WARNING DO NOT FEED Fox Valley 32/40

    I just spent several days texting and talking with a new rehabber whose 6 wk old baby squirrel had suddenly taken a turn for the worst after being in robust good health for over two weeks in her care. Baby became constipated, then bloated, and then died slowly and painfully. The cause? "Cement gut" from Fox Valley 32/40. Symptoms were identical to what happened to my pinkies and hundreds of others since 2015, except this was an eyes opened baby already starting to nibble on solids. Just posting this sad story because I frankly will not be giving 32/40 to ANY baby squirrel at ANY age, ever. RIP, precious baby girl.
    Island Rehabber
    NY State Licensed
    Wildlife Rehabilitator


    "Ancora Imparo" (I am still learning)
    Michelangelo


    *
    If you can't afford the vet,
    You can't afford a pet.
    NEGLECT IS ABUSE.

    "Better one day in the trees, than a lifetime in a cage."

    '...and the greatest of these, is Love. '

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