Formula Warnings

[Nancy in New York]

When buying PetAg puppy replacers make sure you are getting the correct one.
We have had several members this week with very sick squirrels due to feeding
the incorrect formula. (Through NO fault of their care takers, as it can be confusing)
PetLac sits in the squirrels tummies like cement.
They bloat, and can not defecate. This could cause death.
You want to get the PetAg Esbilac Puppy Milk Replacer Powder

NOT
PetLac Puppy Milk Replacement Powder.................................................. ........................CORRECT FORMULA



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

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).