International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management

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