How to Tube Feed a Puppy

[@rpba]

Thank you for sharing with the community. - Responsible Pet Breeders

[@wawacan]

Thank you - your instructions may have just saved a little guy. Just now we needed to intervene on a new born who wasn't latching. He had a fully closed palate, so not sure what is going on, but after warming him and feeding him 5 CCs of formula he is much happier. If I continue to have to feed him into tomorrow we will run him into our vet.

[@RevivalAnimal]

We appreciate you letting us know this helped. It's always good to have your vet up to date on what's going on. Sheryl at Revival

[@HWhite-iu4ec]

Revival has always went above and beyond. Greats experience with them. Great video. Really,... how many animal supply companies have real vets to help with problems?? Revival you are awesome. Thank you.

[@RevivalAnimal]

Thank you for the kind words! We're so happy we're able to help you with your pet health needs. ❤ -Maria at Revival

[@c.b.4548]

Yes, they are awesome. I order from them all the time.

[@norataylor4850]

Thank you so much. This is the best tutorial I’ve found.

[@RevivalAnimal]

Thank you Nora! 🙂 The Paws Squad

[@Kevthetruth85]

Thank you for this advice

[@opp17485]

Excellent instructions. Have watched 10 how-to tube feed videos and a crucial bit of technique, the measurement, were vague, or just plain wrong. Your measurement is clear, from tip of nose to last rib. I like that you kink the tube before removing.

[@elcidcampeador497]

Thank You Lord God, Jesus Christ that there are goodhearted people in the world. Happy Easter everyone and thank you for the video. ♥️✝️♥️

[@katrinaandraedeleon3045]

This is great! I know now how to tube feed my puppy. Thank you so much xoxo

[@RevivalAnimal]

Katrina, Thank you for your comments. We really appreciate you sharing your experience with us. Sheryl at Revival.

[@liverightdieproud2189]

"With you and puppy fully awake" 😂😂😂 Yeah, make sure u r not high or drunk.

[@emilyjaiya]

It’s because people loose sleep when whelping litters

[@liverightdieproud2189]

@@emilyjaiya ok. Got it.

[@z1zuc]

Thank you, that helped allot!

[@DawnieGTheBeekeeper]

This was so helpful

[@nzazzara3111]

Thank you. I recently lost one of my pups. I tried but was too inexperienced.

[@RevivalAnimal]

I'm sorry to hear of your loss n zazzara. I would advise to have your local vet show you how to tube feed. Sheryl at Revival.

[@danieljohn7698]

Thank you very much mam!

[@Romans6.1-2]

Misspoke at :57 “since puppies can only be tube fed during the first few hours of life”. That is not correct

[@annettebischoff9715]

Yeah i know. But i thought it was helpful

[@RevivalAnimal]

Hello, I'm not sure why she said the first few hours but we have sent her an email asking her for more clarification on it. Once we hear back from her, I can let you know. :) - Maria at Revival

[@annettebischoff9715]

@@RevivalAnimal i know you can do it older i have been a vet tech for 30 years plus i am a breeder of cats

[@RevivalAnimal]

@@annettebischoff9715 Thank you for waiting so patiently for an answer. Dr. Greer has said that puppies can be tube fed until they refuse the tube but, Plasma and colostrum can only effectively be used unto 12-24 hours of age. I hope that helps clarify her few hours of life statement. Let me know if you have any more questions! -Maria at Revival

[@gbcubed]

Insert the tube on the left side of the puppy - as you are facing the puppy or if you are behind the puppy?

[@RevivalAnimal]

Geege, This video regarding how to tube feed may help you> 🙂www.revivalanimal.com/pet-health/vet-minute-6-ps-tube-feeding-puppies/learning-center. Sheryl at Revival

[@mst5158]

I got confused when she said left but it look to me like she was doing the right side

[@gbcubed]

@@mst5158 I agree. It was not clear as to why one side was significant either.

[@gbcubed]

@@RevivalAnimal Thanks Sheryl. I did watch this. My question remains the same, though; the instruction was to insert the tub on the left side of the puppy. How is Dr. Greer determining which side is left? As she faces the pup or if the pup is facing in the same direction as Dr. Greer.

[@RevivalAnimal]

I'm sorry Geege. It's the puppy's left side of the mouth. It doesn't matter if the puppy is facing or facing away from you. You're going to start inserting the tube on puppy's left side of the mouth, not your left. It is better to have the puppy facing away from you, then you can hold the puppy's face and tube at the same time.🙂 I hope this explains it better for you. Sheryl at Revival.

[@annettebischoff9715]

Great video!!#

[@liverightdieproud2189]

"Also remember to smile a little during the video". 😀

[@rmyersjohns3353]

To avoid filling the stomach with air, prime the feeding tube with the fluid, leaving the tip you are placing in the puppy in empty of fluid. Stomach capacity of puppy is 4mL/kg, including air. Neonatal kittens and puppies

[@patsyshowalter2542]

Wouldn't that get air in the stomach?

[@rmyersjohns3353]

@@patsyshowalter2542 preparation of supplies for orogastric tube feeding wasnt demonstrated here. Prep includes priming the line be it a feeding tube or a fluid line. The very tip where the fenestrations in a red rubber or feed port are must not have milk or food while entering the oral cavity due to risk of excess fluid. If neonate inhales while drops falling from tip, can aspirate milk or food into lungs, almost always fatal as aspiration pneumonia takes them quickly afterward.

[@rmyersjohns3353]

@@patsyshowalter2542 good question for clarification of avoiding arophagia and tracheal aspiration!

[@budimanprihadi8634]

How if we forgot to empty feeding tube with air...now mine was diarheea after tube feeding without fill the tube with fluid before executed

[@jules4626]

Thank you!!!!

[@RevivalAnimal]

Let us know if you ever have any questions! - Revival Paw Squad

[@kennethbowman8570]

I know that with people they tube feed through the nose because of the chewing factor if tube feeding was through the mouth. Also I heard that you have a larger throat passage through the nose.

[@RevivalAnimal]

If the pet is able to chew, we usually use syringe feeding if they have teeth. During tube feeding with babies, they may appear to suckle. They're not really trying to eat the tube. Sheryl at Revival

[@kennethbowman8570]

Thank you for response@@RevivalAnimal

[@RevivalAnimal]

Thank you for visiting Revival Animal Health, enjoy your day! 😀

[@revitralph84]

What about if temp is 100 up?

[@RevivalAnimal]

The rectal temperature on a puppy in their first 24 hours after birth should be 94 to 96 degrees. After the first week, it should go up to 96 to 98, and then it goes up one degree a week until they get to a normal body temperature of 101 when they’re about 4 to 5 weeks old. We're not able to examine your puppy. If you're concerned, we recommend to contact your local vet to examine the puppy. Sheryl at Revival

[@GabiVetmed]

Very helpful video!

[@rmyersjohns3353]

Don't place the open end of the tube in water. If your puppy vocalizes after tube placement, he does not have a tube obstructing his trachea and larynx ("voice box"). Immersion of the open tube in water while tube potentially in the trachea can lead to direct deposit of water into lungs. A vet can use this verification method on a neonate at their own liability; you should not.

[@felixlvkjdsts]

you didnt say how often, I hear some say every two hours and some say every 3 or 4. I dont want to feed too much or too little.

[@RevivalAnimal]

Infants are fed approx. every 2 hours and as they get older and eat more it may be 3-4 hrs between feedings. Sheryl at Revival

[@barbertrappin1012]

By last rib she means the closest to the rear is the last right??

[@RevivalAnimal]

Barbertrappin, yes correct, the last rib closest to the rear. Sheryl at Revival.

[@rmyersjohns3353]

You can orally tube feed an animal until it has teeth; then nasogastric and esophogeal tubes for feeding come into play. Puppies and kittens can be tube fed orally prior to pediatric (deciduous) teeth coming in, so not at risk for chewing through tube while still in stomach. Even then, very thick red rubber catheters are difficult for deciduous teeth to chew through, which are commonly used in pediatric puppies (non-neonatal, >4wks age).

[@luisrw3433]

What about weak one like runt pup..my pup is a runt he's about 2-3 weeks his teeth already start front. I want to feed him with tube. He don't suckle at all so I have to drops in his mouth per drops . Thinking bout tube feed

[@Animal_haven_wellness]

Thanks .it was very helpful.... But if we don't have specific tube then can use drip set tube ????

[@RevivalAnimal]

I wouldn't recommend a drip tube. It may not be the correct size to use and also it's sterile. I would recommend to check with a local pharmacy or doctor's office for something you could use. Sheryl at Revival

[@madywagley2922]

This is urgent we have a puppy who can’t eat due to aspiration and things but what are we doing wrong if the puppy starts gasping? This puppy is a day old. Hasn’t eaten in 8 hours. We took him to the vet and they just told us how but we can’t get the tip down because he starts gasping and coughing as if it’s choking him. what do we do, and what are we doing wrong?

[@RevivalAnimal]

Mady we advise you take the puppy to the vet's office and ask them to show you how to tube feed. I'm sorry we can't diagnose the situation, we can't watch what you're doing. This video may help you> www.revivalanimal.com/learning-center/vet-minute-the-6-ps-of-tube-feeding-puppies. The Paws Squad

[@victormedina5792]

Why do you have to warm the puppy to 96 degrees before beginning to feed?

[@RevivalAnimal]

Puppies aren't able to digest milk unless their body temperature is above 85 degrees. 96 degrees is the optimal temperature. Sheryl at Breeders Edge.

[@abigailmarie72]

To clarify her last tip.... place the tube in bowl of water and look for bubbles, can you please discuss this point in a bit more detail. Thanks for your help

[@RevivalAnimal]

Hello aok! What specific topic would you like Dr. Greer to explain in more detail? -Maria at Revival

[@abigailmarie72]

@@RevivalAnimal the last point she made in the video. More detail on the issue please, regarding placing the feeding tube in a bowl of water after the tube has been inserted into the puppy? Thanks for your time, ordered the Oxy mamma on revival website today.

[@RevivalAnimal]

Hi aok, This is what Dr. Greer had to say about the step you had a question on. If you put the tube in the water BEFORE you feed, and it bubbles, you are in the lungs - stop, don’t feed, and remove the tube. If there are no bubbles, you are not in the lungs so can proceed with feeding. Hope that helps! -Angie at Revival

[@rottweilerventuresregister7293]

A puppy can only be tube fed the 1st few hours of life? So a puppy that is a few days old and smaller, is doing well besides can't fight for a good position can't be tube fed?

[@RevivalAnimal]

Catherine, a puppy that is doing well, has good suction, but smaller, is better to be on mom's milk instead. It would be better to take the bigger ones and bottle feed them in turn or give the little one time alone on mom so it doesn't need to fight to eat. We don't recommend syringe feeding a puppy a few day old because they may not have a good suction and won't have a gag reflex so they could asperate liquid into their lungs. If the puppy has good suction, you could bottle feed it to help it along if you feel it's not getting enough to eat. Sheryl at Revival.

[@lisadunn-miller5367]

How often do you feed?

[@RevivalAnimal]

Good morning Lisa, Neonates determine the frequency of feeding. When hungry, they will cry and crawl searching, which is a sign to feed them. Usually every 1-2 hrs. Sheryl at Revival

[@borneoinfo487]

Can we use human tube feeding ? I am in remote area. It is difficult to find for animal. Please suggest and what size i can use for a week old puppy. thank you in advance

[@RevivalAnimal]

Borneo, it may work in a pinch. I would highly recommend to consult with your vet before using to determine the size you'll need. Sheryl at Revival.

[@unpredictable129]

Whats the reason for 1cc of air? Wouldn’t that create bubbles?

[@RevivalAnimal]

Good morning unpredictable129. That's a good question. The extra cc will be used to ensure that puppy doesn't get any air bubbles, which could cause bloating or gas pain. Once the syringe has drawn up all of the milk replacer, press down gently until a tiny drop comes out of the syringe.

[@bobrice6645]

Can you feed puppies, powdered goat milk for infants

[@RevivalAnimal]

Good morning Bo, Human milk replacers are significantly different than animal milk replacers. They can cause diarrhea. If you're unable to get a milk replacer for puppies, I would recommend to feed this instead> 1 cup vanilla yogurt 1 cup Doc Roy's® Forti Cal 3 tbs coconut oil Enough water to make it flow through a syringe or pump bottle. About 1 cup usually works well. Sheryl at Revival.

[@mst5158]

Yea you can, add Greek yogurt, corn syrup

[@ladadog3977]

The first thing I need to know - WHAT SIZE? What is the guideline for determining the number? Also, don't these need to be boiled for sterilization?

[@RevivalAnimal]

Good morning Lad A Dog, I would recommend the 15", 5FR, Gray tip nasogastric feeding tube for kittens, tiny breed puppies, or small breed dogs and the 15", 8FR, Blue tip, for medium to larger breed dogs. They can be clean easily with hot water and letting them dry. Sheryl at Revival.

[@ladadog3977]

@@RevivalAnimal Thank you! Now I know what to order.

[@RevivalAnimal]

You're welcome. 🙂 Sheryl at Revival.

[@gokulgirish001]

Nicee

[@lasvegastinychihuahuas]

I did all as recommended, watched 100 videos , but anyway my tiny puppies (1.6-2 oz ) died after second or third feeding.I don't know why I can not get any result from tube feeding.So sad.

[@RevivalAnimal]

Good morning Las Vegas tiny Chihuahua, I'm sorry to hear of your loss. Unfortunately, the only way to know for sure the cause of death, is to have your local vet do a necropsy on 2-3 of the deceased puppies. They can also show you how to tube feed to make sure your doing it correctly. Sheryl at Revival

[@vyp3442]

Where can I buy the tube? I need to change measure, from 8 to 10 and in Italy is impossible to find one! Can you help me with an online shop?

[@RevivalAnimal]

The Nasogastric feeding tube can be purchase on our website> www.revivalanimal.com. Here's the link for you to look> www.revivalanimal.com/product/nasogastric-tube?sku=25221-99-658. Sheryl at Revival.

[@vyp3442]

@@RevivalAnimal thanks! I have measure 8, and I'm searching for a little bigger one. I'm feeding my puppy with milk and meat, and I need to go on till his third month... We have to go under surgery for cleft palate on March.

[@RevivalAnimal]

Chiara Ciccarelli, We have the french feeding tube size 10> here's the link for you to look> www.revivalanimal.com/product/sterile-feeding-tubes?sku=25220-105. Sheryl at Revival.

[@vyp3442]

@@RevivalAnimal hi, thanks for your answer. Is there any chance to have a cheaper shipping cost? It's 90$, sadly way too much for us.

[@RevivalAnimal]

Chiara Ciccarelli, I'm sorry shipping is determined by weight and distance. Please call us at 1-800-786-4751. We'll be happy to see we can do anything to help you. Sheryl at Revival.

[@anamarikachiuri6962]

My puppy is gagging and whining when i insert the tube i don't know why please help

[@RevivalAnimal]

Good morning Anamari Kachiuri, If your puppy is gagging when you're trying to insert the tube it should be bottle fed and not tube fed. Only tube feed puppies if they don't have a gag reflex. Sheryl at Revival.

[@anamarikachiuri6962]

@@RevivalAnimal yeah but we can't bottle feed her , she has cleft palate

[@RevivalAnimal]

Hi Anamari, I am attaching an article from our learning center for you to read about tube feeding: www.revivalanimal.com/pet-health/tube-feeding-kitten-or-puppy/learning-center Michelle @Revival

[@anamarikachiuri6962]

@@RevivalAnimal thank you for advice ♥️

[@RevivalAnimal]

My pleasure anamari kachiuri. 🙂 Michelle at Revival.

[@revitralph84]

Thank you for this guide, this just saved my puppy who's so weak and no longer eats. she is now so active and is gaining weight.

[@RevivalAnimal]

Thank you for sharing your experience. It took a great deal of work on your part also. You're amazing! Sheryl at Revival 🙂

[@marylouissesandiego375]

My vet said that I must only use syringe. I was looking for the proper way of feeding them. But now I'm confused what to do

[@RevivalAnimal]

Aeisse, The reason we use a feeding tube until around 2-3 weeks of age is because they don't have a gag reflux. A syringe with a nipple on the end such as the miracle nipple will work also. We just don't want to use a syringe only to try to feed babies. Using syringe only they can asperate fluids into the lungs. Sheryl at Revival.

[@marylouissesandiego375]

@@RevivalAnimal Thanks for this. Sadly, my 4 day old pup died in my hand, she tried to suck my finger then she cried then she didn't move and turned dark, I think she was saying her last goodbye to me. :c Thank you for this if ever I will encounter another pup with cleft palate I will take note what u said. :>

[@RevivalAnimal]

We're so sorry to hear about your pup, Aerisse. 💔

[@andreatodd5854]

Your information killed one of my puppies 3 years ago you should tell people to make sure there is no air in the feeding tube and DO NOT PLACE THE OPEN END IN WATER very bad idea 👎🏽 Vocalizing is enough to know it’s in the right position after 3 years of doing it following this video was the worst decision I made

[@kennethbowman8570]

People are tube fed through the nose. Why don't you tube feed through the nose of the puppy?

[@RevivalAnimal]

Feeding a puppy through the mouth may not compromise respiration vs the nose. It can be done both ways. That's a good question! Sheryl at Revival

[@ianwatson1542]

NBK whats your email address?

[@Frshxo]

This was a wonderful tutorial. Thank you!!

[@RevivalAnimal]

🙂 Thank you for watching! Sheryl at Revival

[@notintodo12]

Hi, i was wondering about the kind of ngt tube that was used. I bought one french 10 and it has 4 holes at the end of the tube about an inch a part when i tried to run the milk through it, the milk goes through the 1st hole which is about 3 inches from the bottom tip. Should i cut it? So thet there's only 1 hole? Because if i wont, the milk will not go directly to the entrance of the stomach (based on the length of the puppy) i hope you understand what i meant.

[@RevivalAnimal]

Good morning notintodo12, You should not cut the tube, as it leaves sharp ends. Dr. Greer's video on tube feeding is using the transparent nasogastric feeding tube. Here's the link for the feeding tube on our website> www.revivalanimal.com/product/nasogastric-tube?sku=25221-99-658. This article also may help you in measuring the feeding tube> www.revivalanimal.com/pet-health/tube-feeding-kitten-or-puppy/learning-center. Milk should flow through the end of the tubing and holes. It can become clogged by clumps of milk that may not have mixed well which can cause the milk not to flow properly. If this happens, clean the tube and make sure the milk is mixed, then re-try. Sheryl at Revival