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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avoid dietary problems <strong>and</strong> help cubs adjust to new changes more easily. This method is also<br />
important if dietary problems do exist, as in this way; their causes can be more effectively<br />
determined. Feces <strong>and</strong> urine should be monitored closely to determine how well the cub is<br />
adjusting to the new formula (see Section 3). For example, if the cub has diarrhea, the formula<br />
should immediately be made weaker (i.e. diluted with electrolyte solutions for general use or<br />
water). If although, the cub seems continually hungry or becomes weak because the formula is<br />
too dilute to supply enough energy, the formula can be strengthened (as long as no diarrhea or<br />
other negative responses occur), but the stool <strong>and</strong> cub reactions must be watched very closely.<br />
In some cases, introducing a new formula is necessary because the other has failed. In this case,<br />
the cub may not be thriving/gaining weight, has continued diarrhea, or is unable to digest or<br />
rejects the original formula. Changing formulas too often can also be harmful. If the cub<br />
thrives on <strong>and</strong> does well on a particular formula (gains appropriate weight, has good stool <strong>and</strong><br />
health, etc.) that formula should be stayed with. Illness etc. <strong>and</strong> h<strong>and</strong>rearing practices may also<br />
cause the aforementioned problems, so this too must be considered. When cubs can drink on<br />
their own, fresh clean water (e.g. in a bowl) must be offered in addition to formulas to help<br />
prevent dehydration.<br />
“…a transition from 100% water to 100% formula should be gradual over a period of<br />
several feedings. This will allow for the infant [otter cub] to become used to the nipple or<br />
other feeding implement, thus minimizing the risk of fluid aspiration. It also will minimize<br />
the potential for diarrhea caused by a sudden dietary change.” (Maslanka & Crissey 2001).<br />
Before any new formula/food is introduced, water or 5% glucose in water should be given for at<br />
least the first feeding (i.e. no other foods or milk should be offered) (Read & Meier 1996).<br />
(Water must be boiled <strong>and</strong> cooled to blood heat before offering.) This will help cleanse the<br />
digestive system of original mother’s milk/formula, let the digestive system rest, <strong>and</strong> re-hydrate<br />
the cub. This is also needed to make sure that the cub has a strong nursing/feeding response <strong>and</strong><br />
that the cub will not aspirate because of the new feeding instruments it is not used to. Some<br />
inappropriate feeding tools can cause aspiration <strong>and</strong> this may lead to significant health problems<br />
or even death. When cubs are weak, dehydrated, sick/unhealthy, or when a cub has significant<br />
diarrhea (esp. from a failed formula), an electrolyte solution for general use can be offered as<br />
substitute for water or 5% glucose in water, to help provide extra energy <strong>and</strong> hydration. These<br />
electrolyte solutions can also be used to dilute new formulas during introductions when cubs are<br />
in the aforementioned unhealthy condition or if seemingly healthy cubs become weak during the<br />
introduction (i.e. dilution) of a new formula. (I.e. this will help provide cubs with extra energy<br />
etc.. See above about how to strengthen formulas accordingly when they are too dilute to<br />
supply the cub with sufficient energy during the introduction period.) See Section 2 <strong>and</strong> below.<br />
A tea bag/tea bags that contains the herb, fennel (Foeniculum Vulgare; Foeniculum Officinale),<br />
can be immersed in the boiling water that will be used for preparing/mixing formulas (Osmann<br />
pers. comm.). The tea bag/s should be used in the same way as when making tea for human<br />
consumption (i.e. the bag/s should sit in the boiling water for a few minutes then be removed).<br />
This addition has proved very successful to help aid digestion <strong>and</strong> reduce/eliminate bloating,<br />
digestion problems, <strong>and</strong> the occurrence of abnormal stool (e.g. loose stools) during h<strong>and</strong>rearing<br />
exotic animals, including giant otters. Hospitals in Germany also use fennel tea in a similar way<br />
to achieve the same results with human babies <strong>and</strong> this is reported to be very successful<br />
(Osmann pers. comm.). “Both the German Society for Nutrition <strong>and</strong> European Scientific<br />
Cooperative On Phytotherapy recommend fennel for newborn children…”. “Especially<br />
newborn children, whose gastrointestinal tract is only activated after birth <strong>and</strong> who tend to<br />
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