| It is not difficult to learn the correct tube feeding | | | | directed by your vet. Keep the catheter tip pointed |
| procedure. Purchase the tube feeder through your | | | | downward, preventing air from getting in. |
| veterinarian, who will be able to equip you with the | | | | 1. Place the Shih Tzu puppy on a towel in your lap, |
| correct diameter catheter and syringe size for your | | | | head elevated in a slightly inclined position. Wrap one |
| Shih Tzu. Sterilize both catheter and syringe between | | | | hand around the back of the Shih Tzu puppy's head, |
| early feedings. The syringe will have graduated | | | | palm against the back of the skull. |
| markings on the side to record accurate intake. You | | | | 2. Stroke the Shih Tzu puppy with your thumb and |
| will need a bowl or large measuring cup for warm | | | | opposing fingers on each side of the muzzle by the lip |
| water, a candy thermometer and a nontoxic indelible | | | | corners. The Shih Tzu puppy should respond by |
| pen or dull knife. | | | | opening its mouth. |
| 1. Place water heated to 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the | | | | 3. Always keep the syringe elevated and the catheter |
| bowl or measuring cup. | | | | end pointing downward. |
| 2. Heat the formula separately (also to 100 degrees | | | | 4. You want very small amounts of formula to slowly |
| Fahrenheit) using the candy thermometer to regulate | | | | drip from the catheter's tip, preventing air from getting |
| the temperatures of both liquids. | | | | in. |
| 3. Put the thermometer, syringe, catheter and warmed | | | | 5. Directly and gently introduce the tube through the |
| formula into the bowl of water for transport to the | | | | front of the Shih Tzu puppy's mouth. Never force a |
| Shih Tzu puppy. | | | | catheter down a Shih Tzu puppy's throat. Never insert |
| Each puppy should be measured for gavage feeding. | | | | at an angle. |
| Correct measurement is crucial to the Shih Tzu | | | | 6. The Shih Tzu puppy may at first struggle at the |
| puppy's well-being. | | | | catheter's introduction. Do not push if the catheter |
| 1. Lay each puppy flat on it side on a towel. | | | | does not slip easily down the esophagus. Withdraw |
| 2. Measure the catheter from the rounded tip held at a | | | | the catheter and try again. If the Shih Tzu puppy |
| point just behind the Shih Tzu puppy's last rib, along the | | | | struggles against the introduction of the catheter, gently |
| side of the chest and throat, to just in front of the Shih | | | | apply a small amount of steady pressure to the |
| Tzu puppy's muzzle. | | | | catheter against the Shih Tzu puppy's resistance; the |
| 3. Mark the spot of the Shih Tzu puppy's muzzle on | | | | Shih Tzu puppy should reflexively swallow. The |
| the catheter with the pen or dull knife. | | | | passage should suddenly open and the tube should |
| If you get the catheter too short, the formula may be | | | | slide down easily. |
| aspirated by the Shih Tzu puppy. If you introduce a | | | | 7. The catheter is in correct position when the mark |
| catheter too long it can puncture through the newborn | | | | you made is just slightly beyond the tip of the Shih Tzu |
| Shih Tzu's delicate stomach wall. Have your vet walk | | | | puppy's muzzle. |
| you through the procedure. | | | | 8. Slowly depress the syringe plunger to begin feeding. |
| If the end of the catheter is too wide to allow | | | | 9. Never feed a Shih Tzu puppy until its abdomen is |
| attachment to the syringe, sever the catheter directly | | | | distended and hard. If the Shih Tzu puppy's stomach |
| behind the beginning of the flute to allow secure | | | | remains flaccid, you have not fed enough. Feed half |
| attachment to the syringe. Now that you have the | | | | the formula, and then burp the Shih Tzu puppy. |
| syringe attached, place the catheter end into the | | | | 10. Be sure to have your vet walk you through the |
| warmed formula and withdraw the syringe from the | | | | correct procedure for tube feeding before you try this |
| plunger. Fill the syringe a few milliliters over the amount | | | | yourself. |