DietGel^® Criticare

DietGel® Recovery is an excellent choice as a hydration source when shipping mice and rats. Many sites have successfully used DietGel® Recovery during
transport of rodents who arrive dry, healthy and require less time to
acclimate. DietGel® Recovery is a purified water gel containing 60% water. It is fortified with calories and minerals and provides 155 kcals/100 grams.

When shipping guinea pigs, we recommend using HydroGel®. In a recent study conducted by Charles River Laboratories, consumption, and weight loss of guinea pigs during transit were significantly better with HydroGel® compared to a sweetened gel. The study showed that animals consumed more HydroGel®, therefore preventing body weight loss and decreasing clinical pathologic indicators of dehydration.

When left open, DietGel® will evaporate over time. Within 4-5 days, the product will lose over 50% of its moisture, making it more difficult for the animals to consume and less appetizing. It is best to change out the product after 2-3 days of being left open.

DietGel® 76A (w/Animal Protein) contains casein as the source of protein, while DietGel® 76A (w/Wheat protein) contains a vegetarian source of protein. There are some slight changes in nutritional values, and a different flavor profile that can make all the difference for your animals. 

Moreover, as animal products sometimes encounter issues for exportation, DietGel® 76A (w/Wheat protein) can be imported in Europe easily.

It is rare but normal to see white particulate on top of or within the product.
During the production process, foam can form from the mixture and interaction
of all the ingredients and rise to the top of the gel. The foam, which contains
ingredients such as casein or sugar, can dry out, exposing casein or sugar crystals, and form a white, crystal-like residue layer that can be mistaken as mold. It’s completely safe for the animals and poses no health risk.

DietGels® are soft diet containing carbohydrate, fat, protein, and fortified with mineral and vitamin mix (except for DietGel® Recovery, which only contains mineral mix). They are a superior alternative to mash diets that can be used as a supplement or as the sole source of nutrition, reducing time and labor costs. Please consult with your nutritionist for long term use. DietGels® are designed to provide compromised rodents a palatable source of hydration and energy and is an excellent solution for:  

• Breeding and weaning of pups 
• Post-surgical support 
• Neurologically compromised rodents 
• EAE models, Transgenic Mice 
• Shipping 

Non-soluble ingredients are sometimes visible in theDietGel®, showing up as white to brown specs or clumps. The non-soluble ingredients do not affect the nutritional integrity of the product, making it 100% safe to use for your research animal. Here is an example.

Product position within the case can result in color and texture variation. When
DietGel® is produced, the color is milky white, and the texture is firm. The product is then irradiated. The irradiation process changes the product color from a milky white to a caramel color and breaks some of the bonds in the gel matrix. Additional color variation may result from the use of natural ingredients, such as molasses, which can vary in color crop-to-crop. All products are 100% irradiated and safe to use.

The texture and consistency of DietGel® Boost can vary naturally due to the incorporation of chunky peanut butter into the product which results in a firmer gel. Extreme high and low temperatures can also impact the consistency of the product.