Menu
Forums
New posts
Search forums
What's new
New posts
New media
New media comments
New profile posts
Latest activity
Media
New media
New comments
Search media
Members
Current visitors
New profile posts
Search profile posts
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles and first posts only
Search titles only
By:
New posts
Search forums
Menu
Log in
Register
Forums
Cattle Boards
Health & Nutrition
Tube Feeding
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Help Support CattleToday:
Message
<blockquote data-quote="Anonymous" data-source="post: 11020"><p>In a calf, the windpipe is in front of the "foodpipe" or esophagus, and is close to the skin. I would not cut the bulb off of a tube feeder, as a calf that needs to be tubed is too weak to "swallow" the tube, anyway. You will physically be passing the tube down the windpipe. This is true in all cases of tubing a calf. They do not passively & willingly swallow the tube - there is some action on your part to push the tube down to where it needs to be.</p><p></p><p>The bulb helps you feel the end of the tube as it travels down the windpipe. Hold the calf between your knees with its butt in a corner or against a wall so it can't back up. CLAMP the tube closed and double check to make sure the clamp is closed. Open the calf's mouth, slide the end of the tube into the calf's mouth, usually on the left side, and slide the tube down the calf's throat. As you are advancing the tube, feel the outside of the calf's throat with your other hand. If the tube is in the windpipe and not in the esophagus, you will feel the bulb passing just barely underneath the skin. If you don't feel the tube just barely underneath the skin, you are in the wrong pipe. Pull the tube out and start over.</p><p></p><p>Do not lubricate the tube with vaseline or any other petroleum products. Getting those products into the lungs will give the calf pneumonia. I don't usually lubricate the tube with anything.</p><p></p><p>Cutting the end off the tube is risky because the tissues in a calf's throat are delicate, just as yours are, and can be easily damaged.</p><p></p><p>Once the tube has been advanced down the calf's throat, oh, probably about 18 inches or so, open the clamp slowly and carefully. Allow the liquid to run into the calf's stomach. If you see any signs of the fluid bubbling back up into the calf's mouth or other signs of breathing problems, clamp the tube and remove it immediately. Fluid in the calf's lungs causes a "chemical pneumonia" that the calf may not recover from. When the bag of fluid is empty, CLAMP THE TUBE AGAIN, THEN pull the tube out. That's it. Clamping the tube before pulling it out keeps any residual fluid in the tube from running into the calf's lungs on the way out.</p><p></p><p>And, yes, having an extra pair of hands the first time or two you do this is a big help.</p><p></p><p>The first time I had to tube a calf, the vet told me over the phone that he knew I could do it. I told him there was no way I was going to attempt this unless he demonstrated it first. I paid him to come out and show me how and it was money well spent. That's how I learned the positioning of the airway and the esophagus and the purpose of the bulb.</p><p></p><p>In theory, the bulb helps to block fluid from passing back up past the bulb, but mostly it helps you feel the tube as you pass it.</p><p></p><p>> The only 2 times that I have tube</p><p>> fed, the calf died. Both times the</p><p>> calf was in really bad shape and</p><p>> probably would have died anyway.</p><p>> But now I'm afaird to try it</p><p>> again. Anybody have any</p><p>> suggestions on how to make sure</p><p>> you don't put it down there lungs</p><p>> instead. Any information would be</p><p>> very helpful. Thanks so much!</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Anonymous, post: 11020"] In a calf, the windpipe is in front of the "foodpipe" or esophagus, and is close to the skin. I would not cut the bulb off of a tube feeder, as a calf that needs to be tubed is too weak to "swallow" the tube, anyway. You will physically be passing the tube down the windpipe. This is true in all cases of tubing a calf. They do not passively & willingly swallow the tube - there is some action on your part to push the tube down to where it needs to be. The bulb helps you feel the end of the tube as it travels down the windpipe. Hold the calf between your knees with its butt in a corner or against a wall so it can't back up. CLAMP the tube closed and double check to make sure the clamp is closed. Open the calf's mouth, slide the end of the tube into the calf's mouth, usually on the left side, and slide the tube down the calf's throat. As you are advancing the tube, feel the outside of the calf's throat with your other hand. If the tube is in the windpipe and not in the esophagus, you will feel the bulb passing just barely underneath the skin. If you don't feel the tube just barely underneath the skin, you are in the wrong pipe. Pull the tube out and start over. Do not lubricate the tube with vaseline or any other petroleum products. Getting those products into the lungs will give the calf pneumonia. I don't usually lubricate the tube with anything. Cutting the end off the tube is risky because the tissues in a calf's throat are delicate, just as yours are, and can be easily damaged. Once the tube has been advanced down the calf's throat, oh, probably about 18 inches or so, open the clamp slowly and carefully. Allow the liquid to run into the calf's stomach. If you see any signs of the fluid bubbling back up into the calf's mouth or other signs of breathing problems, clamp the tube and remove it immediately. Fluid in the calf's lungs causes a "chemical pneumonia" that the calf may not recover from. When the bag of fluid is empty, CLAMP THE TUBE AGAIN, THEN pull the tube out. That's it. Clamping the tube before pulling it out keeps any residual fluid in the tube from running into the calf's lungs on the way out. And, yes, having an extra pair of hands the first time or two you do this is a big help. The first time I had to tube a calf, the vet told me over the phone that he knew I could do it. I told him there was no way I was going to attempt this unless he demonstrated it first. I paid him to come out and show me how and it was money well spent. That's how I learned the positioning of the airway and the esophagus and the purpose of the bulb. In theory, the bulb helps to block fluid from passing back up past the bulb, but mostly it helps you feel the tube as you pass it. > The only 2 times that I have tube > fed, the calf died. Both times the > calf was in really bad shape and > probably would have died anyway. > But now I'm afaird to try it > again. Anybody have any > suggestions on how to make sure > you don't put it down there lungs > instead. Any information would be > very helpful. Thanks so much! [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Forums
Cattle Boards
Health & Nutrition
Tube Feeding
Top