Feeding tubes - where can I get some?

RE: Feeding tubes - where can I get some?

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Thu, 28 May 2020 12:43:57 GMT

[quote userid="12930" url="~/001/veterinary-clinical/small-animal/f/misc-clinical-discussions/29117/feeding-tubes---where-can-i-get-some/223022"]The Royal Canin liquidised bottles have revolutionised tube (and sometimes non-tube) syringe feeding for me and while I get that they are pricey, they are mighty convenient![/quote]

Not sure if we are drifting into a tangent, but I can also recommend Convalescence Support Instant sachets, and Liquivite Cat (for both cats and dogs).

The larger diameter your tube, the easier it is to put liquids down.....

RE: Feeding tubes - where can I get some?

Beats — Thu, 28 May 2020 06:15:52 GMT

[quote userid="2131" url="~/001/veterinary-clinical/small-animal/f/misc-clinical-discussions/29117/feeding-tubes---where-can-i-get-some/223020"]They are made by Rüsch and they are 18 Fr (that's 6mm outside diameter). I have used 16 Fr and the Luer nozzle fits just as well,; and 14 Fr but it's a bit of a tight squeeze then .[/quote]

Thanks Evelyn.

I think the ones I use are narrower diameter (10F or 12F I think) which probably explains why your trick wouldn't work with them. I cut the end short, but then have to glue on the luer adaptor with tissue glue (They're designed like this, but the glueing on is a bit of an art).

The Royal Canin liquidised bottles have revolutionised tube (and sometimes non-tube) syringe feeding for me and while I get that they are pricey, they are mighty convenient!

RE: Feeding tubes - where can I get some?

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Thu, 28 May 2020 00:18:51 GMT

[quote userid="12930" url="~/001/veterinary-clinical/small-animal/f/misc-clinical-discussions/29117/feeding-tubes---where-can-i-get-some/223013"]

Evelyn Barbour-Hill said:
When you've got the tube nicely placed and sutured in, you cut it to a suitable length – about one and a half inches protruding is how I like it for a cat – and then a luer nozzle fits snugly in the open end.

That very much depends on your esophagostomy tube, on cutting, to neatly fit a luer nozzle.

What tube (size and manufacturer) do you use?

[/quote]

I had to go and look at them to find out!

They are made by Rüsch and they are 18 Fr (that's 6mm outside diameter). I have used 16 Fr and the Luer nozzle fits just as well,; and 14 Fr but it's a bit of a tight squeeze then .

They are red rubber of course, red rubber to my mind being the best (subtle reference to the Diary of a Nobody there). It works just as well with silicone tube if you can get the size. I did once in emergency use a polythene" lamb-feeder" tube, but although it served, polythene is a horrible material for the purpose: too stiff, sharp edges when cut and difficult to secure with sutures.

RE: Feeding tubes - where can I get some?

Beats — Wed, 27 May 2020 18:38:58 GMT

[quote userid="2131" url="~/001/veterinary-clinical/small-animal/f/misc-clinical-discussions/29117/feeding-tubes---where-can-i-get-some/223011"]When you've got the tube nicely placed and sutured in, you cut it to a suitable length – about one and a half inches protruding is how I like it for a cat – and then a luer nozzle fits snugly in the open end.[/quote]

That very much depends on your esophagostomy tube, on cutting, to neatly fit a luer nozzle.

What tube (size and manufacturer) do you use?

RE: Feeding tubes - where can I get some?

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Wed, 27 May 2020 16:27:57 GMT

[quote userid="11308" url="~/001/veterinary-clinical/small-animal/f/misc-clinical-discussions/29117/feeding-tubes---where-can-i-get-some/223002"]

Evelyn Barbour-Hill said:
Now, genuinely puzzled why you would want that on an oesophagostomy tube.

The tubes we use are open ended and have no cap on them, so we use them to provide a removable/replaceable cap for it to prevent contamination or air going down the tube.

[/quote]

Ah yes I see.

Indeed with an oesophagostomy tube it' necessary – perhaps no absolutely essential, but very wise – to cap the tube. I'm not sure that prevention of contamination is important, but prevention of air being pumped down certainly is, and of course it prevents spillage too.

I wouldn't buy special gizmos to do it with, though. When you've got the tube nicely placed and sutured in, you cut it to a suitable length – about one and a half inches protruding is how I like it for a cat – and then a luer nozzle fits snugly in the open end. To cap it, use one of those end-closing things you get on three-way taps and sometimes on giving sets – we're always careful to save them. If we've run out, there are various other bits and bobs that work well, and I haven't yet found a need to actually buy ( ) anything.

RE: Feeding tubes - where can I get some?

Anthony Dennison — Wed, 27 May 2020 12:20:31 GMT

[quote userid="2131" url="~/001/veterinary-clinical/small-animal/f/misc-clinical-discussions/29117/feeding-tubes---where-can-i-get-some/222975"]Now, genuinely puzzled why you would want that on an oesophagostomy tube.[/quote]

The tubes we use are open ended and have no cap on them, so we use them to provide a removable/replaceable cap for it to prevent contamination or air going down the tube.

RE: Feeding tubes - where can I get some?

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Tue, 26 May 2020 16:52:45 GMT

[quote userid="3169" url="~/001/veterinary-clinical/small-animal/f/misc-clinical-discussions/29117/feeding-tubes---where-can-i-get-some/222954"]

Evelyn Barbour-Hill said:
But – genuine question – what is a Christmas tree adapter?

It plugs the large catheter tipped syringe end and allows a leur connection - for a conventional syringe/one-way valve/collection system/3-way tap etc

[/quote]

Ah, thank you.

Now, genuinely puzzled why you would want that on an oesophagostomy tube.

RE: Feeding tubes - where can I get some?

Michael Woodhouse — Tue, 26 May 2020 10:32:26 GMT

[quote userid="2131" url="~/001/veterinary-clinical/small-animal/f/misc-clinical-discussions/29117/feeding-tubes---where-can-i-get-some/222940"]But – genuine question – what is a Christmas tree adapter?[/quote]

It plugs the large catheter tipped syringe end and allows a leur connection - for a conventional syringe/one-way valve/collection system/3-way tap etc

https://imseuro.co.uk/veterinary/drain-connector-female-luer.html

RE: Feeding tubes - where can I get some?

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Mon, 25 May 2020 23:38:13 GMT

[quote userid="8137" url="~/001/veterinary-clinical/small-animal/f/misc-clinical-discussions/29117/feeding-tubes---where-can-i-get-some/222881"]We use Foley catheters as oesophageal feeding tubes, with a Christmas tree adapter, work great.[/quote]

That sounds an idea, if a little expensive. I take it you don't inflate the bulb!

But – genuine question – what is a Christmas tree adapter?

RE: Feeding tubes - where can I get some?

serena holmes — Sat, 23 May 2020 16:57:30 GMT

We use Foley catheters as oesophageal feeding tubes, with a Christmas tree adapter, work great.

RE: Feeding tubes - where can I get some?

Michael Woodhouse — Sat, 23 May 2020 14:09:17 GMT

JAK have them nicely laid out in their catalogue, but their website is less good (unless you know exactly what you are needing). IMS Euro also have some, but I don't think they list PEG tubes. Vet Instrumentation list oesophagostomy tubes. I don't have a catalogue to hand but Vet-Direct also list some feeding tubes.

RE: Feeding tubes - where can I get some?

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Thu, 21 May 2020 14:53:00 GMT

For oesphagostomy tubes there are loads on Amazon, sold as "puppy feeding kits" with a cheap syringe attached.

RE: Feeding tubes - where can I get some?

Rob Loxley — Thu, 21 May 2020 12:44:27 GMT

https://dmsveterinary.com/

RE: Feeding tubes - where can I get some?

Beats — Wed, 20 May 2020 21:24:59 GMT

Ithought ours were 12F adjustable length, but I can't seem to find them online. I didn't think ours were Mila brand, but maybe they are; I thought they were Kruuse or something cheaper.

I suspect your wholesaler will get them for you if you phone in the morning, but if none in stock can probably get some next day delivery online elsewhere I would suspect.

I don't know if these are in stock, but might be:

https://www.pattersonvet.com/ProductItem/078833619