New formula PetAg Esbilac

[Garden71]

I went to order Esbilac and I see that they have a new label and formula.
Has anyone had a problem with the new formula?

[Charley Chuckles]

No I've not seen that🤷
I hate when they keep changing you never know what's good or what can kill 😱
Hopefully someone here will have the answer👍

[CritterMom]

The only thing I have noticed is a fair number of people reporting that their babies pee smelled fishy. Haven't seen any of the bad issues that they have foisted upon their customers in the past. Yet.

[island rehabber]

We discussed this briefly at the Gathering. It seems that Pet Ag has changed its formula to include more fillers. It's unclear right now what specific effects this may be having on spring babies...we're keeping a close watch, especially those of us who use Esbilac for neonates and pinkies

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

I went to order Esbilac and I see that they have a new label and formula.
Has anyone had a problem with the new formula?

Thanks! I did not realize this! I tried to call PetAg but they are closed on weekends. I submitted an inquiry via their website requesting a detailed comparison between the two versions of their Esbilac Puppy Milk Replacer Powder. Here is what I have asked of them:

"Hello:
I just noticed in regard to Esbilac Puppy Milk Replacer Powder; not just the Label has changed, but the Formula itself has also been changed! Please send a comparison chart to me ASAP indicating specifically the percentages, weights, contents of the "old formula and the "new" formula. I am one of many Animal Rehabbers who use your products and it is essential for us to know all of the the details of the diets we provide for our animals! Thanks for your expeditious response!"

Regards,
SamtheSquirrel (Don't worry, I didn't sign my inquiry as SamtheSquirrel!)

PS: Sorry IR, I guess I missed the discussion on this at The Gathering. I was probably climbing a tree! If PetAg does provide this information it could be of some significant benefit to us though!
StS

[Garden71]

I mix Esbilac with Fox Valley 20/50.
I do a 50/50 mix and no problems with it.
I have 4 cans left of the Esbilac so I can wait a little before I order more.

[Mel1959]

We discussed this briefly at the Gathering. It seems that Pet Ag has changed its formula to include more fillers. It's unclear right now what specific effects this may be having on spring babies...we're keeping a close watch, especially those of us who use Esbilac for neonates and pinkies

I should have asked this at the Gathering. What exactly is a filler? It sounds as though regardless of what it is it wouldn’t be good for a pinkie or neonate. IMO. I haven’t examined the cans. I still have Royal Canin Baby Dog from the last Esbilac debacle. I clearly don’t rehab enough baby squirrels.

[Milo's Mom]

Mine seem to NOT be tolerating it well. I'm running a test right now. Will report findings when I have them.

[Mel1959]

I mix Esbilac with Fox Valley 20/50.
I do a 50/50 mix and no problems with it.
I have 4 cans left of the Esbilac so I can wait a little before I order more.

Are your cans of Esbilac the old formula or the new “improved” one?

[Garden71]

Are your cans of Esbilac the old formula or the new “improved” one?

I have the old one as of now.
I have 3 cans.
Right now we have 8 babies. We just got 3 from our yard. She was hit by a car and had to get the babies for the nesting box.

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

I should have asked this at the Gathering. What exactly is a filler? It sounds as though regardless of what it is it wouldn’t be good for a pinkie or neonate. IMO. I haven’t examined the cans. I still have Royal Canin Baby Dog from the last Esbilac debacle. I clearly don’t rehab enough baby squirrels.

Hi Mel:
I just notice that your post had a question. A Food "Filler" can be thought of as anything added to the actual nutrient makeup of the food to give it bulk, fiber, consistency or whatever but is NOT an actual nutrient component. There is some controversy and misunderstanding about "fillers" because the general assumption is that "fillers" have no value and are added to bulk up the food or in in this case the formula and may even help keep the manufacturers costs down! This is not necessarily the case or at least not the whole case. Just to pick an example; fiber is often called a "filler" but while it does not have true nutritional value, it's presence can add healthy bulk to the stool and may aid in digestion of other actual nutrient components of the diet. So, anyway, the term "fillers" sound like it represents a "bad" attribute of a dietary source but this in many instances is not necessarily the case in that while "fillers" are not part of the intended nutritional value of the particular dietary source, they are not necessarily harmful or more importantly; they are not necessarily useless or "fluff" and may be added by the manufacturer for valid rationales.
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

[Milo's Mom]

Every single one of my kids has liquid poop! I'm furious.

We've done a complete scrub down and started everything over...with NO black puppy esbilac.
They are all on Albon, but we aren't seeing anything under the scope (we did not do an oil immersion though).

My cross contamination protocols are pretty tight, no kissing, always gloves, sanitize till your skin falls off, ammonia, alcohol, or 140+ degree water soak for 7 minutes for cleaning.

Either my volunteers are taking shortcuts...and they know how I feel about that or this formula is crap.

I have zoologic 33/40 on hand and will be forced to go to that once my white puppy esbilac is gone.

Will report back when I get new info. Not happy, not at all.

[Milo's Mom]

Preliminary/Initial findings:

Black Puppy Esbilac created a tremendous amount of sludge in mixing container even after mixing in a bullet and resting with 4 agitations over 12 hours.

White Puppy, mixed the exact same way, has NONE!

I do not want to be an alarmist, but I would be very very hesitant to feed this.

I had beautiful fat babies and now I have to subq them daily for additional hydration because of their liquid poop.

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

Preliminary/Initial findings:

Black Puppy Esbilac created a tremendous amount of sludge in mixing container even after mixing in a bullet and resting with 4 agitations over 12 hours.

White Puppy, mixed the exact same way, has NONE!

I do not want to be an alarmist, but I would be very very hesitant to feed this.

I had beautiful fat babies and now I have to subq them daily for additional hydration because of their liquid poop.

Hi MM:
Thanks for your research! What would be your suggestions as alternatives for these very young babies as it appears the "white puppy" formulation will no longer be available?
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

[Garden71]

So what alternatives are there for formula. I usually mix eslibac with fox valley?

[island rehabber]

I have no spring babies yet but that is not unusual for my area. I am very upset about this new f***** by Pet Ag, because I have had three years (six seasons) of wonderfully healthy babies using Esbilac 0-2 weeks, Esbilac with Ultra Boost till eyes open, and then 20/50 with Ultra Boost thereafter. Fat, healthy babies with perfect poops. I guess THAT's over....

To add to the stress, I live in an urban area (Bronx) on a small island where heavy cream is always within a day or two of expiration and "fresh goat's milk" is something kids learn about in school but don't believe it even exists. WTH am I going to use??

[Mel1959]

In light of MM’s findings, what’s going to be done about this?? Last time there was an Esbilac formula change debacle the Casey’s got involved, as well as rehabbers nationwide, and there was enough of an uproar that Pet Ag made changes to their formula. Can we expect anything like that this time?

[Mel1959]

I have no spring babies yet but that is not unusual for my area. I am very upset about this new f***** by Pet Ag, because I have had three years (six seasons) of wonderfully healthy babies using Esbilac 0-2 weeks, Esbilac with Ultra Boost till eyes open, and then 20/50 with Ultra Boost thereafter. Fat, healthy babies with perfect poops. I guess THAT's over....

To add to the stress, I live in an urban area (Bronx) on a small island where heavy cream is always within a day or two of expiration and "fresh goat's milk" is something kids learn about in school but don't believe it even exists. WTH am I going to use??

I believe someone told me that Royal Canin Baby Dog is available at one of the 3 big box pet stores. I would try substituting that for the Esbilac. I haven’t searched for it locally, but if this is true it can be recommended for those needing help with a found baby. Otherwise it can be purchased online.

[CritterMom]

I believe someone told me that Royal Canin Baby Dog is available at one of the 3 big box pet stores. I would try substituting that for the Esbilac. I haven’t searched for it locally, but if this is true it can be recommended for those needing help with a found baby. Otherwise it can be purchased online.

No can find except from ebay - $50 for the formula, $42 for shipping...

So I have a partially stupid but maybe not that much question...

Has anyone tried mixing the heck out of it, letting it sit for several hours or overnight, and then siphoning off the liquid and leaving the sludge behind? I am guessing that the newfound sludge is the "filler" that is being added. I wonder if you are looking at something like the old formula if you just separate out the sludge?

[Milo's Mom]

I'm going to try the zoologic 33/40 mixed wirh fresh GM and yogurt and if that doesn't work I'll go to fv 20/50 straight through.

If I had the money, knowledge, and time I'd make a freaking formula myself!

All of my kids are back to toothpaste consistency poop, hungry mungry babies.

I am going to put a call out on all of our socials seeking white puppy esbilac...