Esbilac not available outside of the US - need advise on feeding

[YK20]

Hi! I'm live in South India and 4 days ago me and my wife found 2 baby squirrels. I'm attaching a video of one of them.

https://youtube.com/shorts/BKL01rDH6k0?feature=share

After an unsuccseful attempt to reunite with their mother (2 hours), we took them in and started tending them. We read many materials online, but most of them refer to the brands which are not available in our location. From what I understood Esbilac is pretty much the only formula that is safe to feed to the squirrels. I found an option to order it online, but the delivery will take 10 days.

They are probably 3 weeks old? I'm not sure, please let me know if you can tell by the video. I'm not sure if they are underdeveloped, or if they are doing fine.

We took the babies to the local vet on the day we found them. She gave us the puppy formula called Samolac (local Indian brand). When I asked if she had Esbilac, she told me it is the same. However, from what I can see on YouTube it looks very different, our formula being brownish-red and not as smooth... The babies are eating it, but I'm not sure if it's a good thing for them.

Yesterday I read about Homemade Goat Milk Formula Plus (HGMF+):
3 tablespoons goat milk
3 tablespoons plain yogurt
2 tablespoons heavy cream

This is something I could probably source locally. Is it a good idea to go for Goat Milk Formula for 10 days while waiting for the Esbilac delivery?

Thanks a lot for your help! I don't know anyone in the area who could help, everyone just tells me to give them cow's milk...

[Mel1959]

The goats milk formula is your best option until your Esbilac comes in. Just to verify, the Esbilac is the powder version, right? The goats milk formula recipe we recommend is 3 parts goats milk (fresh is best), 1 part heavy cream, 1 part full fat yogurt.

I know nothing about the other formula your vet has recommended so I would be hesitant to use it. Many have successfully used the homemade goats milk formula.

[CritterMom]

You may also look for Beaphar Lactol: https://www.amazon.com/Beaphar-Lacto...0909741&sr=8-1

That is a US Amazon link but I am pretty sure it is sold where you are too and I wanted you to see the container.

[YK20]

Thank you so much for your responses!

I found Lactol available on Amazon, and it can be delivered in three days. I’ve already ordered Esbilac, but it will take nine days to arrive.

In the meantime, the squirrels have had intermittent diarrhea, and I’m concerned they might be dehydrated. One of them appears more wrinkled than the other. Would it be a good idea to give them a homemade water/salt/sugar solution for a few feedings or perhaps in between feedings? Once again, it would take days for any additional commercial formulas to arrive if I order them now.

I gave them this mixture on the first day and also as a replacement for two feedings when the diarrhea started a few days ago. But I don't want to overdo it.

[Mel1959]

With diarrhea they can lose electrolytes which is why salt is added to the homemade rehydration solution. Too much salt is also not good for long term use. If you’re feeding the homemade goats milk formula you can offer water or rehydration solution BETWEEN normal feedings, NOT in place of a feeding.

You want to be careful making too many formula changes as each one should be done slowly to avoid gastric upset. To transition to a new formula begin with a combination of 75%/25% old formula/new formula for a couple of feedings, then 50%/50%, then 25%/75% and finally 100% new formula.