International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management
International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management
International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management
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Section 4<br />
Toileting: To produce elimination in young or unhealthy cubs.<br />
“Young carnivores require urogenital [the organs that excrete feces <strong>and</strong> urine] stimulation for<br />
the first several weeks.” (Read & Meier 1996). This is necessary to encourage defecation <strong>and</strong><br />
urination as they are unable to eliminate on their own. (<strong>Giant</strong> otter cubs have required toileting<br />
(also called urogenital stimulation) at 2 ½ <strong>and</strong> 3 months old as well.) Depending on cub<br />
preference, toileting is necessary before or after each feeding of the day. In some cases, it<br />
should be done both before <strong>and</strong> after feeding. Some cubs prefer to eat before elimination <strong>and</strong><br />
some may not want to eat until afterwards. Even when cubs are able to eliminate on their own,<br />
it is useful to toilet them before weighing <strong>and</strong> feeding to attain accurate weights (see Section 1).<br />
Toileting before feeding also helps encourage cubs to nurse/eat. On the other h<strong>and</strong>, elimination<br />
after feeding helps keep cubs <strong>and</strong> their feeding area more sanitary during feeding. Toileting<br />
also helps keep living areas clean <strong>and</strong> reduces frequent house cleaning.<br />
To toilet cubs: Cubs should be held over or placed on newspapers or paper towels. The<br />
h<strong>and</strong>rearer’s finger, dampened with warm water, or a clean wet soft cloth, soft paper towel, or<br />
piece of cotton moistened with warm water <strong>and</strong> placed over the h<strong>and</strong>rearer’s fingers, can be<br />
used to stimulate cubs. The area around/on the cub’s anus <strong>and</strong> genital area [the area where urine<br />
is excreted] should be gently, lightly, <strong>and</strong> quickly rubbed. The stomach <strong>and</strong> lower abdomen can<br />
also be rubbed very lightly <strong>and</strong> gently with the fingers. (To help reach the anus/genitals, the<br />
cub’s tail <strong>and</strong> lower body can be lifted slightly. As well cubs can be held by the scruff during<br />
toileting.) Caution: overzealous or improper stimulation could result in irritation or rash.<br />
Immediately after a toileting material, such as a paper towel or piece of cotton, becomes soiled<br />
(urinated or defecated on) it should be thrown away or in the case of a soft cloth, it must be<br />
washed before re-use. (Re-using soiled materials during toileting can cause irritation or other<br />
health problems.) Sometimes several paper towels or small cloths will be needed during each<br />
toileting. If the cub’s urogenital area becomes irritated, warm running water can be placed over<br />
these areas (instead of cloths, paper towels etc.) to toilet cubs. “Ointments containing zinc<br />
oxide provide protection <strong>and</strong> waterproofing for the delicate tissues.” (Read & Meier 1996).<br />
Cubs must be cleaned <strong>and</strong> thoroughly dried after each feeding, toileting, elimination, <strong>and</strong><br />
bathing/swimming session. (They can get very dirty with food during feeding, <strong>and</strong> feces <strong>and</strong><br />
urine after elimination.) The cub’s face, neck, paws, <strong>and</strong> body can be cleaned with warm clean<br />
water <strong>and</strong> damp clean cloths or paper towels. Clean towels can be used to thoroughly dry cubs<br />
off. Cleaning with a moist cloth or bathing in small tubs of water (only use for older cubs) also<br />
helps keep the cub’s skin, toepads etc. from drying out <strong>and</strong>/or cracking (see Section 15).<br />
Section 5<br />
Formula Choices<br />
Little detailed information exists on milk replacer formulas used for giant otters. Commercially<br />
prepared milk replacer formulas for carnivores, such as Esbilac TM , are highly recommended to<br />
rear all river otter cubs. Although, commercially prepared milk replacers for human babies or<br />
cow’s milk (for human consumption), which are not recommended for use, have been most<br />
commonly used to rear giant otter cubs (Sykes-Gatz unpublished report). Interestingly, these<br />
formulas have been used with success.<br />
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