International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management

prepared artificial milk replacers for carnivores or those for use with domestic dogs or cats may
be an option (esp. those with ingredients more similar to Esbilac). Formulas should be prepared
as instructed on the package.
Commercially prepared formulas for carnivores usually contain adequate amounts of vitamin,
mineral, and oil supplements; although some otter handrearers may add these to commercial
formulas. Sometimes supplements are also added (see above) when non-commercially prepared
milk replacers (e.g. cow’s milk etc.) or human baby formulas are used. Unfortunately, there are
no known scientific studies on giant otters specifically, to indicate which and in what amount
supplements are necessary, helpful, or even unhealthy, so great caution must be taken when
using supplements. It could be possible that some cubs may be lactose intolerant and lactose
found within some commercial formulas or in cow’s milk may cause severe diarrhea, bloating,
abdominal cramping, flatulence, and digestion problems. Although, it may be difficult to
determine if it is the lactose alone in the formula or the entire formula itself that is causing
problems (considering that proper handrearing techniques are used). Again, there are no
scientific studies or reports known on this issue. The formula causing the problem should be
modified (i.e. its dilution) or discontinued (i.e. no longer fed). If lactose is known to be the
problem, a lactose free formula can be offered instead. Lact-aid TM (a commercially prepared
dietary supplement sold for human use) may be added to milk formulas, as it may help cubs
digest lactose. (Administrating antibiotics is not recommended, if the problem is only caused by
lactose.) Sucrose, a sugar found in corn syrup, may also be a problem for mammalian neonates
that do not possess the enzyme sucrase (Kirk 1994).
Section 6
Formula Preparation Techniques & Sanitation
For proper sanitation, only clean tap water that has been thoroughly boiled should be used to
dilute/mix formulas/food. (Additional prepared water should be stored in the refrigerator for
additional uses.) Very hot water dissolves powder formulas more easily and quickly than cold
water. The powdered formula can be added to a pre-measured amount of hot water (rather than
vice versa) for easier mixing. All diets/formulas should be made fresh daily and heated portions
should not be reheated. Formulas should be mixed in a blender or by hand (e.g. by vigorously
shaking a closed container/jar containing formula) and stored in the refrigerator until used.
Critical: all lumps/clumps of powder, regardless of their size (i.e. even powder clumps that
are very small or tiny in size), must be removed from the formula after mixing and before
feeding. Clumps can be removed by pouring the liquid through a sieve / strainer (with tiny
openings), cloth tea strainer, or cheese cloth. Severe health problems can result if even small
lumps of powder are ingested (i.e. they can form indigestible balls in the stomach that may
block intestines). When formulas are stored in the refrigerator the entire amount of formula
should be mixed/shaken thoroughly, before individual servings are drawn from it (i.e. the
heavier ingredients often coagulate at the bottom of storage containers).
Formulas should always be warmed to about blood heat temperature (i.e. to the cub’s normal
body temperature) before feeding. Microwaves should not be used to heat formulas, as this can
destroy valuable nutrients. Individual servings can be warmed by filling the bottle, syringe, or
bowl with formula and immersing it in a container of very hot water (container water must not
enter the formula). The formula must not be made too hot, but rather sufficiently warmed
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