International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management

using great caution when feeding or administering liquid medications. For example,
appropriate nipple hole sizes and slower feeding techniques must be used to prevent problems
from occurring.
If significant amounts of milk or other liquids are coming out of the cub’s nose, the cub is
choking on something (in the trachea or throat), or the cub has collapsed from choking the
following can be done. “If the neonate does appear to inhale formula, an immediate response
may minimize the damage. The young animal should be placed in ventral recumbency in the
palm of the caretaker’s hand. The animal’s head should be supported by the caretaker’s fingers
and its body should be supported by the wrist and forearm. The caretaker’s other hand should
be placed over the neonate’s back and head. The neonate should then be swung forcibly
downward several times; this action is followed by three to four gentle … [taps] on the back. If
foreign material is actually obstructing the airway, abdominal thrusts should be used as well."
(Meier 1986). When cubs are too large for this method, securely holding the cub by its hind
legs and tail (in one hand) and then turning the cub upside down (so the cub’s head is pointed
downward towards the ground) may help liquid drain out of its nose. These procedures can then
be followed by gently tapping/patting on the cub’s back/along the upper body (when its upside
down) a few times to help eliminate milk or food. Another technique can also be used as
follows. The same procedure just mentioned can be followed (i.e. turn the cub upside down).
The body of the handrearer can then be turned around in continued fast tight circles while
holding her/his arm with the cub out to the side so the cub swings somewhat outwards and
downwards (Osmann, pers. comm. 2000). The cub’s nose should be checked to see if liquids
have been expelled. The cub’s throat should be observed to see if something lodged there might
be causing choking. These items may be able to be removed with tweezers (with dull tips), a
cotton Q-tip, or by the suction of a syringe or rubber ear bulb (try techniques above as well).
Small syringes and rubber ear bulbs might also be of use to help remove liquids from the nose.
If the cub has stopped breathing, “mouth to nose” resuscitations can be carried out by holding
the cub’s mouth shut and gently blowing into its nose. Medical care should be immediately
sought after serious emergencies and antibiotics may be needed if cubs develop an infection
from inhaled formulas/foods.
Section 10
Feeding Techniques, Encouragement & Problems
Rather than forcing them, handrearers must adjust their routine, formulas, and
handrearing techniques to fit the cub’s particular needs, abilities, preferences, and
tolerances. Cubs may refuse to nurse / eat from artificial feeding apparatuses (i.e. bottles,
syringes, bowls etc.) or refuse to consume milk replacers because these new situations are
foreign to them. Refusal could also occur if animals are sick or inappropriate formulas, feeding
methods, apparatuses, or handrearing practices are used. If normal amounts are consumed on
one feeding, and all food is refused in the following feeding, this could indicate the cub is not
feeling well. If two feedings are refused, the cub could be very sick. Slow declines rather than
slow increases in food consumption indicate problems. Solutions must be found for these
problems immediately, rather than trying to force eating in unhealthy circumstances.
Great patience, gentle encouragement, and persistence should be used to encourage and
teach cubs how to nurse from artificial feeding implements. Getting the cub to nurse
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