Oxbow Animal Health

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.

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

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.”