- Carnivore Care, Case Study 102
Overview
Cathy Strobach is the President of Zoo’s Ferret Sanctuary in Kirkland, Ill. The shelter uses Oxbow Carnivore Care to successfully counter daily maladies. The following is a representation of its use among ferrets at the sanctuary.
Results
Crystal is about eight-years old and developed adrenal problems two years ago. She is on Lupon and developed insulinoma a little over a year ago. She has an inoperable tumor and had a problem with loose, watery stools. Crystal is doing well on Carnivore Care. In addition to an increased energy level, the output seems much more normal now!
Ruby is a nine-year old adrenal and insulinomic case. She underwent surgery for chordoma three years ago. Ruby has been getting Carnivore Care mixed into soup twice daily with her meds. She ate it from the start and experienced a better energy level. She had begun to lose weight, but has lost no more. She keeps up with the youngsters in the group at playtime.
Bear is a four-year old that had a terrible stomach bug that almost ended his life. With severe diarrhea, he required sub-Q fluids three times a day for five days. Getting him to eat was quite a challenge. He was very ill, and I do feel that Carnivore Care helped greatly to stabilize him. He has made a complete recovery and now begs for the soup I give to the other sick babies!
Snickers is about five-years old. She caught the human flu and was deathly ill. She absolutely refused any food whatsoever. She was given sub-Q fluids twice daily and was assist fed the Carnivore Care for three days. Then she began to eat on her own! We saw the weight pile back on and the life came back into her. It’s amazing now to watch her play!
We have several here at the sanctuary with lymphoma. These babies will never get well, but improving the quality of their remaining days is paramount. The Carnivore Care has improved the consistency of their fecal output and has consistently given them better energy levels. Our goal is to provide comfort, and we feel this product helps us do exactly that.
Cathy Strobach, President
Zoo’s Ferret Sanctuary NFP
Kirkland, Ill. - Carnivore Care, Case Study 100
Overview
To test the effectiveness and ease of use of Carnivore Care, a high-quality, animal-based protein, high-fat product formulated for carnivores, using domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius) as a physiologic model.
Animals/Protocol: Intake trials were conducted on a total of 24 ferrets ranging in stated age from 14 weeks to 6.5 years. Participants were asked to record diet ingredients, normal consumption, and body weights throughout the course of the study. Fecal consistency was recorded daily on a scale of 1 (loose) to 5 (solid). The target dosage was suggested at 3 tablespoons Carnivore Care reconstituted with 1.5 tablespoons water (water amounts variable) – fed three to four times daily. The 42 g dry product would provide 220 kcal daily as self-fed or by use of oral syringe.
Results/Discussion:
Testers reported a need to increase the amount of water mixed with the Carnivore Care to make it workable in the syringe, but no other problems were reported. Ferrets consumed on average 38.6 g dry Carnivore Care daily, supplying a calculated 206.8 ± 18.5 kcal. Ferrets of the body range in this study with medium activity levels require a calculated 110 to 160 kcal/day. Feeding four times per day rather than three seemed to elicit the best response, especially for ill animals. Overall energy consumption by animals in this study (consuming both dry foods as well as Carnivore Care) averaged 256 ± 88 kcal per kg body mass.
Animal Response: Of the animals fully fed Carnivore Care (n=8 data sets healthy, n=2 clinically ill) only two (25%) lost weight on the trial – one animal, 3 g and the other (an average from a pair) 18 g, over the three to four days. Six healthy ferrets (75%) gained weight while fully fed Carnivore Care, an average of 13.3 ± 10.0 g (range 5 to 33 g) in three to four days. Of the two clinically ill ferrets, one maintained weight while the other gained an impressive 177 g in four days.
Fecal Samples: Ferrets fed a mixture of Carnivore Care and dry food displayed 21% average decrease of fecal amount. This may be due to a higher digestibility of the Carnivore Care, but further evidence is needed. Average fecal score prior to feeding Carnivore Care was 4.0 (n=8), and 3.7 after these same animals were maintained on 100% Carnivore Care.
Conclusion:Carnivore Care is a moderately-palatable, highly-digestible support diet that can be syringe-fed to ferrets, particularly during periods of convalescence, digestive disorders, or inappetance. A minimum of 40 g Carnivore Care powder (9 tablespoons total – 3 tablespoons per meal reconstituted with water), providing approximately 220 kcal and fed over at least three meals, should be consumed daily to maintain body weight in ferrets ranging from 700 to 1100 g. More frequent meals and volume may be required for convalescing animals. Ingredients are comprised of whole eggs, meal and fish products, in a matrix designed to meet the known nutrient requirements of obligate carnivores. Initially, stool condition may be light in color and not well formed; this condition appears to resolve after two to three days and/or may benefit from the addition of 5% (by weight) Critical Care for Herbivores to the initial formulation to prove more fecal bulk.
Acknowledgments: Special thanks to Dr. Peter Fisher and Lisa Leidig of Virginia Beach, Va.; Laura Powers of Norfolk, Va.; Dr Cathy Johnson-Delaney of Seattle, Wash.; and Megan Reuther in Everett, Wash. for all their efforts in gathering data for these important trials. Dr. Fisher also graciously supplied the supporting photos.
- Critical Care, Case Study 108
Overview
Becky Cook is a companion animal owner from Mooresburg, Tenn.. While weaning a young Bennet’s Wallaby, she experienced nutritional problems resulting in chronic diarrhea. Becky attributes Critical Care for Herbivores with saving her pet’s life.
Case: 10-month-old malnourished Bennet’s wallaby
“We pulled our Josie from her mother on April 7th of 2005. Everything went as planned. We started her off on Esbilac 3:1 mixture and her weight was 2.7 lbs. We fed her every three hours around the clock. Her normal diet consisted of milk formula, dry food from Pet Pro Little Hopper, and an unlimited amount of grass hay. Diarrhea started eight weeks later. The vet said she had a bacterial infection and prescribed Bactrium for seven days. We also gave probiotics every night to help replace the natural flora. I ended up taking her back to the vet about every three days because nothing seemed to work. She went through more tests: CBC, E CBC, E SA panel and electrolytes, U/A, fecal smear, fecal flotation, Zinc S04, sugar count, aerobic culture, and Salmonella culture. Yet I was left with no reason for the diarrhea.
Result
“Her weakness was increasing, and her will to eat was nearly gone. I was referred to Oxbow for Critical Care for Herbivores. After a rush order, I began a bottle mixture, which included two scoops of Biolac and one scoop of Critical Care in 100 ml of water. Two days after adding the Critical Care, we started seeing some form in her poop. After six weeks of diarrhea, Josie was curious as to these strange pellets. Her improvement continued, and she is now eating on her own. She is 9 pounds at one-year old. We have a bond I really can’t explain. She is so special, and I can’t thank Oxbow enough for its genuine care and help. I know if it hadn’t sent this product immediately, she would not be with us today. I thank you and Josie thanks you also.”
Becky Cook
Exotic Animal Owner
Mooresburg, TN
- Carnivore Care, Case Study 105
Overview
Kara Ceraolo is a licensed veterinary technician at a mixed animal practice in Lincoln, Nebraska. She successfully used Oxbow Carnivore Care on two ferret cases. Below are excerpts from her testimony and clinical data.
Case 1: Post Addisonian crisis/pneumonthorax ferret.
Carnivore Care was intended as a supplemental diet following stress, anorexia, and weight loss. After the first few days, the food was readily taken from a bowl. The ferret recovered and regained 0.6 lbs in three weeks. Carnivore Care worked very well. The patient is sensitive to cereal grains and could not be fed a canned food, but needed a high-calorie diet he would willingly consume. I am grateful to be able to feed a diet that is complete, easily digested, palatable, and maintains electrolyte levels. Everyone involved in this ferret’s care is astounded at his recovery. Having nursed many ferrets through similar illnesses, I credit this diet with a lot of his improvement.Case 2: Debilitated and severely underweight ferret.
I observed anorexia, weakness, lethargy, and diarrhea in the patient. Staff administered 250 kilo calories of Carnivore Care by syringe for eight days. By day nine, feces and blood work were normal, and the patient was readily eating 100 cc of Carnivore Care from a bowl. The ferret was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome and/or Helicobacter infection. The ferret has malabsorption problems, possibly aggravated by chicken. I was happy to see that Carnivore Care is more egg/pork based. The fact that her droppings are normal for the first time is a huge testimony to the digestibility of this product.
Kara Ceraola, LVT
Lincoln, NE - Carnivore and Critical Care, Case Study 107
Overview
Deborah Simson works at a mixed animal practice hospital in Tamarac, Fla. Veterinarians often have difficulty creating an assist feed that is easily prepared and accepted by exotic omnivores. Simson fed several combinations of Oxbow Critical Care for Herbivores and Carnivore Care to three hedgehogs.
Case 1: Hedgehog assisted-feeding trial.
Hedgehogs are omnivorous animals, consuming both plant and meat material. For omnivores, one option is to compare the food labels and combine the Critical Care for Herbivores and Carnivore Care.
Carnivore Care
Crude Protein min 48.00% Crude Fat min 33.00% Crude Fiber max 5.00% Calcium min 1.40% Calcium max 1.80% Phosphorus min 1.15% Critical Care
Crude Protein
min 16.00% Crude Fat min .20% Crude Fiber min 1.00% Crude Fiber max 25.00% Calcium min 0.40% Calcium max 0.60% Phosphorus min 0.25% Result
One of the best ways to measure digestibility of foods is to look at the animal’s fecal output.
The digestible energy for Carnivore Care is 5.35 kcal/g and Critical Care is 2.69 kcal/g. The formulas were mixed at the following ratios: 1 part Carnivore Care : 1 part Critical Care, 2.5 parts Carnivore Care : 1 part Critical Care, and 3 parts Carnivore : 1part Critical Care. The three hedgehogs had similar results. The assisted-feeding formulas proved palatable and aided in successful weight gain. Fecal outputs were somewhat bulkier when a higher proportion of high fiber Critical Care was fed, and hedgehogs consumed a calculated 60 kcal per day compared to an estimated need of about 35-40 kcal.
- FIBRevive, Case Study 109
Overview
Cleopatra was a healthy young llama through her first year of life. Within 25 days of separation from her mother and the move of her feed bowl, a 37 pound weight loss was documented. She showed a lack of interest in feed and hay.
Results
Tracy Pearson, the owner and manager of Pearson Pond Ranch & Llama Company in Ellijay, Ga. ordered FIBRevive and administered it twice daily for four days. Other additions included 11 cc of Bio-Mycin in three doses every other day, 5 cc injectable vitamin B complex, 10 cc Gastro Guard orally for four days and probiotic paste for eight days.In the first seven days after administering FIBRevive-based meals, Cleopatra went from a weight of 191 pounds to 224 pounds, a 15% increase in body weight. Diarrhea subsided and her will to live quickly returned. Her weight and eating patterns were healthy and normal again.
Testimonial
“FIBRevive has made the difference between life and death as it introduces the proper nutrients to animals that cannot or will not eat.,” says Pearson, who has been raising llamas for 20 years and owns a herd of 170 animals. “All of the medication in the world will not bring them back if their systems shut down. FIBRevive is crucial to a successful recovery. The llama and alpaca industry need this product more than ever before.”
- Critical Care. Case Study 104
Overview
Karen Fortier runs Rain Spirit Farm in Monroe, Wash. She conducted a case study regarding the use of Critical Care for Herbivores with a hand-reared wallaby after a relocation, anorexia, and collapse.
Intent of product use: To restore health of a four-year-old pet wallaby, unable to eat on his own. Also, to determine if Critical Care is a workable solution to feeding animals unable or unwilling to eat due to injury or illness.
How was the diet altered? Previous diet consisted of 1.5 cups of Mazuri wallaby diet; 1.5 cups of Del’s senior equine feed; 1.5 cups of vegetables, including yams, apples, and carrots;, 1 cup rolled barley; free-choice alfalfa hay; and water.
Diet was changed to three tablespoons of Critical Care, mixed with water, and given nine times throughout the day.
Result:
Food was readily consumed and provided sufficient fiber to prevent diarrhea, even when animal was down. Also increased strength and vitality. Food was easy to prepare and feed using syringe. There was a noticeable improvement in his strength, and coat shedding decreased during the field trial.
Testimonial:
"This product is terrific. It did an excellent job of providing nutrition to an animal unable to eat on his own. Since he liked the taste, there was no struggle to feed him and thus caused less stress than previous tubing efforts. He enthusiastically reacted to feeding, and was chewing the food readily before swallowing. He became stronger and more vigorous by the day. He began to care about living."
"Despite his unwillingness to eat anything else except Esbilac, and his recurring bouts of colic, he never refused the Critical Care. This product has widespread application for me, as I own llamas, donkeys, goats, ostrich and wallabies."
Karen Fortier
Rain Spirit Farm
Monroe, Wash.