Squirrel baby formula and MBD question!??!

[Squirrelmom1]

Ok I'm so super confused. I have my baby on esbilac right now waiting on his fox valley to get here. I see that it says it is killing squirrels, is this also the cause of this MBD? I have been having a little bit of trouble with him, and I'm getting a little worried.. I don't know what I can/should do at this point..... Do I continue with what I'm doing until we get his fox valley or stop? Please help me with this I also heard that if you switch a squirrels formula it can also harm them? Any advice or suggestions are very appreciated. Thank you!

[HRT4SQRLS]

Ok... let’s figure this out. Two questions... how long has the baby been on Esbilac?
What is the lot number on the bottom of the can? I can tell you when it was made based on the lot number.

[HRT4SQRLS]

I just found the answer to the first question in your other post. Baby on Esbilac for 3 weeks and is now 5-6 weeks old.

The lot number will be helpful in determining if it is from the period when it was killing babies. When will your Fox Valley arrive?

To answer your question, yes, Esbilac was responsible for causing Metabolic Bone Disease. No doubt about it.

[Squirrelmom1]

Ok... let’s figure this out. Two questions... how long has the baby been on Esbilac?
What is the lot number on the bottom of the can? I can tell you when it was made based on the lot number.

I have been using the esbilac since I have had him, I have raised a couple other squirrels, so I haven't been doing alot of reading up on squirrels this go around until I noticed he wasn't gaining weight, but thn you have pages tht says it's ok and others that say no. I'm just so relieved I found this site! Also the bottom of the can has numbers and a best by date which is 2889E 2979 #12 13:55 best by 10/2021 I have nothing else to give him until his things arrive Thursday. So I'm just at such a loss for what I should do.

[HRT4SQRLS]

This is how you interpret the lot number.... 2889E
The E stands for Esbilac.
The 9 at the end is the year it was made... 2019
The 288 is the 288th day of the year on the Julian calendar.
Therefore, your formula was made on October 19, 2019.

I believe this is part of the bad lots that PetAg produced. It was around August, September or October when everything started unraveling as far as sick babies. They wouldn’t have been producing the supposed “corrected” product in October. I say ‘supposed’ because they will never convince me no matter what they do.

The biggest problem was that PetAg refused to recall their defective crap. It is STILL sitting on shelves in low turnover stores. Without a recall it will be on the shelves until the expiration in 10/21. That infuriates me. By the way, the expiration is 2 years from the manufacture date.

I believe your baby has been on the defective product. Because your FoxValley will be arriving on Thursday, it probably isn’t worth switching to the goat milk temporary formula and then a day later switching again. When the formula arrives, switch immediately.

Be very careful with your baby. The bones are probably fragile.

[HRT4SQRLS]

I didn’t address your concern about switching formula. We usually transition slowly to a new formula.
We would do a 25:75 mix (new formula/old formula)... 50:50 mix... 75:25 mix and then to 100% new formula. This prevents them from getting diarrhea.

In your case, I feel this formula is such a problem I would do a rapid transition. You might do a 50:50 mix of the two formulas for a couple feedings and then to 100% FoxValley. It will be easier to deal with a little diarrhea than the effects of the Esbilac.

[RockyPops]

Are there other rehabbers close to you that could give you 3 or 4 tablespoons of fv until your arrives? I'd be glad to if I were close by.


Edit:
HRT, would it help if she added tums powder to the esbilac? Or is the esbilac the problem in itself?

[HRT4SQRLS]

Edit:
HRT, would it help if she added tums powder to the esbilac? Or is the esbilac the problem in itself?

I wouldn’t add Tums but a teaspoon of heavy cream to a batch would be a good idea.

PetAg blames the problem on a course grind of the calcium source (dicalcium phosphate) that can’t be absorbed. OK, that, but analyses of different lot numbers shows it to be deficient in many other areas as well. Actually, adding the heavy cream to the FoxValley is also a good idea.

[Ozzy2019]

I have fox valley . Dont know where you live. P.m. me if you live n sc

[Squirrelmom1]

Ok so maybe 1 or 2 feedings mix both formulas and thn just continue the f.v.? Also I am in Springfield ohio and I'm not sure about any rehabbers in or around my area, to be completely honest idk if I would trust anyone around here. But yes, I have noticed a little bit of problems with his back side, like if he has his tail curled he falls forward like he doesn't have good balance. I wish I would have known this sooner. I'm so heartbroken about all this, I just keep praying that he will be ok I have less than 24hrs before I receive his fox valley order. I appreciate all of you and all of the advice and help you have given!! Thank you all!!

[Squirrelmom1]

I didn’t address your concern about switching formula. We usually transition slowly to a new formula.
We would do a 25:75 mix (new formula/old formula)... 50:50 mix... 75:25 mix and then to 100% new formula. This prevents them from getting diarrhea.

In your case, I feel this formula is such a problem I would do a rapid transition. You might do a 50:50 mix of the two formulas for a couple feedings and then to 100% FoxValley. It will be easier to deal with a little diarrhea than the effects of the Esbilac.

Also I agree 100% I would rather deal with him having diarrhea over losing my baby. For all I care he can be a mess from diarrhea or he could get it on me, because its definitely easier to clean me n him up thn it is to completely lose my little mr.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Tomorrow when the FoxValley arrives, make a batch. 1 part FV powder and 2 parts water.
You should already have a batch of the Esbilac made.

I’m going to use this an example. Put 10ml of the FV formula into a container. Add 10ml of the Esbilac formula to the container. This will give you a 1:1 mix. Do this for 2 feedings. Discard the mix and the mixed Esbilac. On the third feeding go to 100% FoxValley.

This will help with two things. (1) It helps the GI to adjust slowly to prevent GI upset.
(2) It helps the baby adjust to the different taste. Sometimes they will reject a new taste but frankly, most babies love FoxValley.

How much does your baby weigh?

[Squirrelmom1]

I just weighed him, and its reading 52g. He is still really little and hasn't done much growing, which is why I started to do a little research, he really started to worry me and thankfully came across this amazing forum!!!

[HRT4SQRLS]

That is very concerning. A baby in Ohio (northern squirrels are larger than southern squirrels) at 5-6 weeks should weigh MUCH more than that. My goodness, a 6 week old baby in FL would weigh 80-90g.

This is the second squirrel in a week in the same situation... failing to gain weight or grow on Esbilac. You haven’t seen any lumps on the legs have you? Please be very careful with this baby. He is as fragile as an egg right now.

ESBILAC strikes again.

[HRT4SQRLS]

You might want to read this thread. It is eerily similar to your story. These babies were on Goat Milk Esbilac (also bad) and didn’t gain any weight in 2 weeks. When they don’t gain weight it is a huge problem.

https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/...Grays-or/page2

[Squirrelmom1]

Yes, not only am I extremely concerned, but I am SO EMBARRASSED. I feel as if it is my fault, if anything happens to my baby! 😔😢 I also handle him as if he were still a pinky he has trouble with balance and his bck side is very thin. I was trying to figure out how to post a picture of him🥺 its so heartbreaking. I have never had a problem like this...

[HRT4SQRLS]

When you bring up a reply box you will see an area below that says ATTACHMENTS. Click on manage attachments. It should bring up options to select a photo from your PC, phone, library,etc. Select the pic and upload. You can then attach it to the post.

If that doesn’t work you can email a pic to me and I will post it for you.
flyer.bonzai@gmail.com
I will erase my email address in 10 minutes.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Here are the pics of the baby.

[HRT4SQRLS]

After seeing these pics, is it possible for you to get goats milk, heavy cream and full fat yogurt today?

I am extremely concerned about your baby. I fear that starting Fox Valley tomorrow will result in a condition called refeeding syndrome. The degree of malnutrition is extreme thanks to the Esbilac. Sometimes introducing nutrients too fast will cause a metabolic collapse. The goat milk will help to transition the baby to nutrients. We need to go slow.

I know the country is locked down right now, but the GM, HC and yogurt might save his life.
The yogurt should be full fat with no artificial sweeteners. YoBaby vanilla is a good choice.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Yes, not only am I extremely concerned, but I am SO EMBARRASSED. I feel as if it is my fault, if anything happens to my baby! ���� I also handle him as if he were still a pinky he has trouble with balance and his bck side is very thin. I was trying to figure out how to post a picture of him�� its so heartbreaking. I have never had a problem like this...

Squirrelmom1, you should not be embarrassed. We are not here to judge you or anyone else. This is not your fault. Let’s do everything we can to save him. What is your babies name?