Learning to Tube Feed Shih Tzu Puppies

Purchase the tube feeder through your veterinarian, who will be
able to equip you with the correct diameter catheter and syringe
size for your Shih Tzu. Sterilize both catheter and syringe
between early feedings. The syringe will have graduated markings
on the side to record accurate intake. You will need a bowl or
large measuring cup for warm water, a candy thermometer and a
nontoxic indelible pen or dull knife.

1. Place water heated to 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the bowl or
measuring cup. 2. Heat the formula separately (also to 100
degrees Fahrenheit) using the candy thermometer to regulate the
temperatures of both liquids. 3. Put the thermometer, syringe,
catheter and warmed formula into the bowl of water for transport
to the Shih Tzu puppy.

Each puppy should be measured for gavage feeding. Correct
measurement is crucial to the Shih Tzu puppy’s well-being.

1. Lay each puppy flat on it side on a towel. 2. Measure the
catheter from the rounded tip held at a point just behind the
Shih Tzu puppy’s last rib, along the side of the chest and
throat, to just in front of the Shih Tzu puppy’s muzzle. 3. Mark
the spot of the Shih Tzu puppy’s muzzle on the catheter with the
pen or dull knife.

If you get the catheter too short, the formula may be aspirated
by the Shih Tzu puppy. If you introduce a catheter too long it
can puncture through the newborn Shih Tzu’s delicate stomach
wall. Have your vet walk you through the procedure.

If the end of the catheter is too wide to allow attachment to
the syringe, sever the catheter directly behind the beginning of
the flute to allow secure attachment to the syringe. Now that
you have the syringe attached, place the catheter end into the
warmed formula and withdraw the syringe from the plunger. Fill
the syringe a few milliliters over the amount directed by your
vet. Keep the catheter tip pointed downward, preventing air from
getting in.

1. Place the Shih Tzu puppy on a towel in your lap, head
elevated in a slightly inclined position. Wrap one hand around
the back of the Shih Tzu puppy’s head, palm against the back of
the skull. 2. Stroke the Shih Tzu puppy with your thumb and
opposing fingers on each side of the muzzle by the lip corners.
The Shih Tzu puppy should respond by opening its mouth. 3.
Always keep the syringe elevated and the catheter end pointing
downward. 4. You want very small amounts of formula to slowly
drip from the catheter’s tip, preventing air from getting in. 5.
Directly and gently introduce the tube through the front of the
Shih Tzu puppy’s mouth. Never force a catheter down a Shih Tzu
puppy’s throat. Never insert at an angle. 6. The Shih Tzu puppy
may at first struggle at the catheter’s introduction. Do not
push if the catheter does not slip easily down the esophagus.
Withdraw the catheter and try again. If the Shih Tzu puppy
struggles against the introduction of the catheter, gently apply
a small amount of steady pressure to the catheter against the
Shih Tzu puppy’s resistance; the Shih Tzu puppy should
reflexively swallow. The passage should suddenly open and the
tube should slide down easily. 7. The catheter is in correct
position when the mark you made is just slightly beyond the tip
of the Shih Tzu puppy’s muzzle. 8. Slowly depress the syringe
plunger to begin feeding. 9. Never feed a Shih Tzu puppy until
its abdomen is distended and hard. If the Shih Tzu puppy’s
stomach remains flaccid, you have not fed enough. Feed half the
formula, and then burp the Shih Tzu puppy. 10. Be sure to have
your vet walk you through the correct procedure for tube feeding
before you try this yourself.