Tube
Feeding
Tube feeding can be a life-saving skill when attempting
to support very small or weak kittens. Not only is it much
safer than bottle and syringe feeding, once the technique
is learned it is much simpler and quicker.
The biggest danger from bottle or syringe feeding
is the aspiration of fluid from too much flow or a weak
suckle reflex. In older kittens, it is often fairly difficult
to get a measured amount of food in their tummies as it
usually ends up all over their faces, your shirt, and the
walls. Tube feeding reduces the risk of aspiration hugely,
and allows an exact amount of food to be placed directly
into the stomach fairly quickly.
Most people are very afraid of getting a tube into
the lungs. Vets spend a lot of time learning how to intubate
animals, and rest assured that getting a tube into the lungs
of a kitten is no easy feat. As long as the feeding tube
is of adequate size, you will not enter the lungs with it.
They can easily breathe around the tubes, you will not suffocate
the kitten. My vet walked me through this the first few
times I had to do it, I would definitely suggest that anyone
new to tube feeding have a vet explain it and demonstrate
if possible.
Supplies:
The best tubes to use are called French feeding
tubes, and are available through most vets and Revival
Animal Health online for only a few dollars. They range
in size, and it is important to use the right size tube.
It needs to be small enough to be comfortable and large
enough that the kitten can not bite through it. Newborn
kittens will use a #3.5, but after only a week or so they
will need a #5. Your vet can help you determine which is
the right size for your kitten, and most are willing to
demonstrate tube feeding if you feel you need more practice
before trying it alone.
Step 1: Preparing
the Feeding
How much to feed
your kittens depends on size, age, and whether or not
you are supplying 100% of their intake. A growing kitten
needs 15cc of milk per 2oz of body weight. This should
be divided up into 8-10 feedings in a 24 hour period.
Make sure that the formula you are using passes
easily through the feeding tube without clogging. Clogs
can pop out under too much pressure, so make sure it will
not back up. Fill the syringe up with the formula, remove
the air, and attach the feeding tube. Clear the feeding
tube until there is formula coming out of the tip. You do
not want to put air in the kitten's tummy. Of course, make
sure the formula is the right temperature. If the kitten
needs to be on medication, this is a good time to draw it
up into the tip of the feeding tube.
Step 1: Measuring
the Feeding Tube
Most important for avoiding aspiration
is making sure that the feeding tube is all the way in the
stomach and that it does not slip out during feeding. The
easiest way to measure is to place the end of the tube along
the spine where the stomach is (a little lower than the
middle) and measure to the tip of the nose. Mark the tube
with a permanent marker at this point. This may be a little
longer than needed, but you will be able to see if the tube
is slipping out and keep it in place.
(click
on picture for larger photo)
Step 2: Inserting
the Tube:
Starting at the back of the mouth, guide the feeding
tube slowly down the kittens throat until you see your mark.
You will feel two points of resistance: at the back of the
kitten's throat and at the opening to the stomach. Just
remember, if you have not reached your mark, you are not
in far enough, even if it feels like it has stopped. Gently
withdraw the tube and try again, using gentle pressure until
the tube slides past the resistance. You will also feel
the tube stop in the stomach when you near your mark. If
you go too far (mostly in larger kittens) the tube will
fold around in the stomach and start to come back out.
(click
on picture for larger photo)
Step
3: Administering the Feeding
You don't have to get the mark all the way into
the kittens mouth, it's not exact. You just want to make
sure that you are at least in the stomach and watch the
mark during feeding to make sure the tube does not slip
out at all. Once the tube is in, hold it in place with your
fingers and slowly depress the syringe. Especially with
a #3.5 tube, you do not want to press to fast or the food
will squirt out of the end. I imagine this is neither comfortable
nor safe in a tiny tummy. You can practice the speed of
delivery into a cup before feeding the kitten if necessary.
(click
on picture for larger photo)
Important: NEVER attempt to withdraw fluid from
the kitten's stomach with a feeding tube. If the tube clogs,
simply remove it, clear the clog, and start over. Creating
suction in the stomach is dangerous and may cause serious
injury. I have had a vet do this once, but would never attempt
it myself.
Notes:
I would suggest practicing with just the tube a
few times before administering a feeding. Kittens can be
difficult to hang on to and it takes a little practice.
I have found tube feeding to be an absolutely necessary
skill, and far preferable to attempting force feedings with
a syringe. If you've ever had to support a litter of kittens,
you know that oral force feeding can take hours and be a
nearly full time job. With tube feeding you are being safer,
neater, and can feed four or five kittens in a matter of
20 minutes versus an hour and a half.
