Review article

https://doi.org/10.46419/vs.55.1.5

Artificial milk for wildlife orphaned neonates

Manca Novak ; Veterinarski fakultet Ljubljana, Slovenija
Otto Szenci ; Univerzitet Veterinarske Medicine Budimpešta, Zavod za Porodništvo i Klinika za životinje za hranu, Üllő, Dóra major, Mađarska

Abstract

Milk is a very complex nutrient and differs significantly between species. Monotreme and Marsupial milk contains only trace amounts of lactose, whereas in Eutherian species, lactose is the predominant saccharide. Within the Eutheria, the composition varies from 8.5% in Indian rhinoceros to 63.8% in Grey seal in concentration; from 0.3% in Indian rhinoceros to 9.3% in elephants in total fat; from 1.2% in Indian rhinoceros to 12.8% in Fin whale in total protein; and finally from 0.8% in Great panda to 6.5% in Indian rhinoceros in lactose. Milk components change during lactation and, especially in Marsupials, this should be considered in artificial feeding. Other factors to be taken into account are the amino acid panel, whey and casein fractions, iron and immunological components. In wildlife nursing, we often come across orphaned neonates that require artificial feeding. However, there are no specific formulas for each wildlife baby. The aim of this review is to compare which artificial milk replacer is best suited for selected species of wildlife neonates.

Keywords

wildlife orphaned neonates; artificial feeding; milk components; antimicrobial compounds of milk; microbiota of milk; milk replacers

Hrčak ID:

301546

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/301546

Publication date:

2.7.2023.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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