Post by jerseylovinliz on Apr 5, 2010 17:01:07 GMT -5
An esophageal feeder has a tube that is 14-18 inches long & a bag for fluid that screws onto said tube. It is best to get the kind w/a rounded bulb on the end of it. The bulb helps keep the tube from entering the trachea or larynx of the calf.
When calf is up: I straddle the calf & squeeze w/my knees (around their chest) to keep them as still as possible. Insert the tube into her mouth making sure you're on top of the tongue. She should swallow it if you gently push it straight back/in. The key for me is keeping them still, going straight in & slowly. If you force the tube in it can end up in their windpipe instead of esophagus. *If puffs of air come out the end of the tube take it out slowly & try for the esophagus again. It should slide down straight & easy if you go slow w/minimal pressure. Until you get the hang of it attach the bag after inserting the tube so you don't accidentally release/pour the liquids into her windpipe. Hold the bag higher than the her head & let gravity work. *Don't squeeze the bag to empty it faster.
If she's down it's basically the same process. Maneuver her head until it's as straight forward w/her body as possible, although it doesn't have to be up necessarily. It is a little harder to get the fluid to come out when they're down b/c the tube is rather short but work w/it until you find the position that allows the liquid/s to empty. *Again don't squeeze the bag to speed it up.
I was trying to be as straightforward as possible. If there is anything that doesn't make sense please feel free to point it out or ask ?'s. This is how to tube a calf for nutritional purposes. I can explain in another post how to tube a calf/cow to relieve a bloat if needed. Hope this is helpful!
When calf is up: I straddle the calf & squeeze w/my knees (around their chest) to keep them as still as possible. Insert the tube into her mouth making sure you're on top of the tongue. She should swallow it if you gently push it straight back/in. The key for me is keeping them still, going straight in & slowly. If you force the tube in it can end up in their windpipe instead of esophagus. *If puffs of air come out the end of the tube take it out slowly & try for the esophagus again. It should slide down straight & easy if you go slow w/minimal pressure. Until you get the hang of it attach the bag after inserting the tube so you don't accidentally release/pour the liquids into her windpipe. Hold the bag higher than the her head & let gravity work. *Don't squeeze the bag to empty it faster.
If she's down it's basically the same process. Maneuver her head until it's as straight forward w/her body as possible, although it doesn't have to be up necessarily. It is a little harder to get the fluid to come out when they're down b/c the tube is rather short but work w/it until you find the position that allows the liquid/s to empty. *Again don't squeeze the bag to speed it up.
I was trying to be as straightforward as possible. If there is anything that doesn't make sense please feel free to point it out or ask ?'s. This is how to tube a calf for nutritional purposes. I can explain in another post how to tube a calf/cow to relieve a bloat if needed. Hope this is helpful!