Esbilac for kits?

[NeighbrGrlsPets]

I was searching on a web site (PetCo) and noticed that they have Esbilac (puppy milk replacer/supplement) listed for "weaning" chinchillas (LINK (http://www.petco.com/Productlisting.asp?tab=6&c1=1500&ct1=Chinchilla&c2=1532&ct2=Weaning&Dept_ID=1532)). I would never use it for my chins, but what are your thoughts on this?

I just found it odd that it would be listed, since I've never heard any breeder suggest using Esbilac as a Milk Replacer and/or Supplement.

[outsiders_girl]

My dad knows another chinchilla breeder from work, and when we went on vacation, we took Stardust over to his house because my friend was not willing to hand feed kits... I sent a can of goats milk, but he sent it back saying that he always used kitten formula... and used that first (because he didn't find the goats milk). He feeds all of his kits that need to be rotated or hand fed the kitten formula- but I've always used goats milk.

[NeighbrGrlsPets]

I always use KMR... I've noticed that they made an Esbilac with Goats Milk... Maybe someday they'll make a KMR with Goats milk. I'm usually not lucky to find Goats Milk :(...

It would be awesome if Pet Ag made smaller cans of KMR, I usually end up throwing 90% of the can away. And the powder cans would go bad before I end used 5% of it probably, lol... (my last powder can my cats decided to open it while I wasn't home! and get it EVERYWHERE, and then eat it).

[outsiders_girl]

Yeah, that's what the breeder used... KMR- he gave us the canned and powder formula, but we used the canned because she really didn't like the powder... She really didn't eat much at all, and needed what little she would eat. She didn't gain any, just lost- she was 22 grams at birth, and was 18 grams when she died. Now, her brother was 69 grams at birth...

[BCchins]

Goats milk used here I buy it at the health food store. Big can of it for like $12 or they have smaller pkgs. Brenda

[tiatrack]

Well I was just at my exotic vet last week, and he said use KMR over Esilbac (sp?). KMR has fat/protein/carb ratio closest to chin milk, and dog milk is very different than chin milk. I'm kicking myself for not asking him about goat's milk, since many people recommend it.

[CorneliusChins]

I've always used goats milk myself and had great results with it. I'm sure either replacements are good (any nutrition to a chin who isn't getting mommas milk is good), but know that goats milk is easier to digest than other types of milk which is probably why they recommend it. Strange that Petco would use that as a draw.. How many people really supplement chins?? Strange - Jessica

[dondeb562]

I have used KMR, but started using goats milk a while back instead. Someone had told me that since goats are veggie eaters and cats are meat eaters that it would make more sence to feed goats milk. To me that seemed very logical, so I have used goats milk and NEVER have had a problem with it. They sell it every where. I get it at either RALPHS, STATER BROS(they have it in the powder form as well), and ALBERTSONS in the baking section of the store (where the cake mixes are)

[Lars]

From what I understand, from reputable exotic breeders of several species, KMR is much better, puppy milk replacer can often cause bloating in the babies. I have always used KMR and/or fresh yogurt as supplement feeding.

[dondeb562]

can't both the kitten milk and puppy milk cause bloat since they both have cow's milk in it?