Tube Feeding Help for a new born kitten "a how to video"
Tube Feeding
We now have 2 tube video's for your helping guide. Both are full, complete clips that stream and load as you are watching. No download time required!
Streaming Video- Widows Media Player
Another full tube feeding video clip (6.5 mbs) showing
the entire process- it is about 2.5 minutes long, and
without a cable modem- may take a tad of a while to
download. The actual tubing process takes only about
20 seconds when experienced. I have tried to go slow
to slow various shots. I have used two tubes for this
video- one that was already prepared and cleaned- and
one to show you the measuring process. The showing one
is handled much and so germs are on it...this one was
not used to feed. Enjoy- but remember this is for general
purposes only! Consult your vet on "how to tube"
first. I have saved many kittens in which would have
not been able to survive without the help of a few extra
needed meals.
The following is to be used as a guide only. If you have never tube fed a cat or kitten before- I'd highly suggest having your vet teach you how to do this. Below you will find a few photo's to help illustrate tube feeding. I use either a 10 c.c. or 12 c.c Luer Lock syringe. Some tubes have Luer Lok ends. I use a #5 Fr.(1.7mm) Feeding tube on newborns, a #5 feeding tube is very fine and a good size for newborns.
You may want to use a #7 or #8 feeding tube on larger kittens. I also like the red rubber tubes- more flexible.
Very Important- make certain you purchase for your cattery a scale that weighs ounces to the nearest quarter or better. And one last note-You might should read our e-book on Saving Kittes Lives
Weigh your infant- the baby should be gaining a little
each day- if you find the kitten is not gaining- but
maintaining- he may need a little supplementing help-
perhaps one to two meals a day. About 3-4cc's of milk
for a kitten weighing in at about 4 oz.
If
the kitten is losing and not maintaining- he may need
more meals- feed several small meals through out the
day- i.e. 3 cc's every 3-4 hours. Adjust milk as per
weight on the kitten.
Handle your kitten on a clean surface. Tubing is an
easy process once you learn. You will find it works
nicer than a bottle, easier, faster, safer, and doesn't
make the kitten become so dependent on you and your
bottle's nipple- allowing the baby to return more naturally
to the mothers teats for more meals. Keep a journal-
know what and how much is being supplemented to the
diet.
Measure to the beginning of the last rib cage with the
feeding tube- measure from the mouth to the rib. My
finger is pointing at the last rib on this kitten.
This is where the tube measured to the kittens last
rib...clean tube with warm water after marking it- remember
to re-measure every few days- for babies do grow pretty
fast.
Mark where the tube is to be measured with a permanent
marker- when it is inserted in the mouth - down the
throat- insert until you reach your mark.
Insert the tube inside the mouth- centered- glide it
into the back of the throat and down into the stomach.
The tube should glide easily down the throat- if it
doesn't- pull out and try again, this is the easiest
way to know you are not entering into the lungs. I have
found some times the baby will close and tighten the
throat for a second after you begin... allow the kitten
to relax his throat and if it slides in with ease- continue-
otherwise remove. Anytime you are tube feeding consider
the possible need for amoxi.
I like
to add my kitten milk into a small glass (a shot glass
is perfect for this)- making it easier to measure into
the syringe. I most often use Just Born Milk and I prefer
the pre made liquid- to avoid making it inconsistent.
Draw the milk up into the syringe to the amount you
plan to feed per the one feeding only. Make sure you
clean the feeding tube and refrigerate after each use.
You can draw up water just like the milk and avoid taking
the tube off of the syringe each time. Store in a sealed
tight container. Do not use the same tube between kittens.
One happy fed baby and ready to return to his mommy:-)
Tube feeding is very helpful, mostly because you put
the milk into the stomach without chancing getting it
in the lungs, and you know exactly how much the kitten
eats. For more information- please visit and read CFA's
article on tube feeding.
E-Book - best seller!
Saving Lives: Raising Newborn Kittens from Birth to Weaning. The reasons newborns die and what you can do to save their lives. 11 pages. This article is so detailed- it even list colors of stool to know what might be needed by your kitten. Great Advice from newborn birth to 4 weeks. This e-book contains years of wisdom. When I first began breeding- I thirsted for reading materials to help teach all the things I needed to know. No single book taught me what I learn over time- this article will teach you- those 10+ years of experience and the important things things to help your newborn kittens!
| $10.00 US Get this report now! | BUY! |
If your baby still needs help - perhaps a nebulizer might work - here is a link to a page to show you how to make one yourself!
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