Step-by-Step Guide to Tube Feeding American Bully Puppies

When a mother can’t feed her American Bully puppies naturally, tube feeding becomes necessary. It’s a task that requires careful attention and gentleness. Before starting the process of tube feeding a puppy, we highly recommend consulting with a vet for proper guidance. For a better understanding of the procedure, you can refer to this YouTube Video.

Materials Needed for Tube Feeding Puppies

• A Silicone or rubber feeding tube
• A syringe (appropriate size for the puppy)
• Puppy milk replacer

Alternatively, you can consider investing in a tube feeding kit for puppies to ensure safety and ease.

Important Steps to Follow:

Step 1: Formula Preparation

It is crucial to prepare the formula milk according to the instructions on the puppy milk replacer. The milk should be warm (about 100°F) but not too hot.

Step 2: Tube Measurement

It is crucial to measure how far the tube should go before inserting it. The end of the tube should be typically placed at the nose of the puppy. Then measure till the last rib and use a marker to mark this area.

Step 3: Test the Tube

Before putting the tube in the puppy’s mouth, make sure it won’t cause harm. Put the tube in a bit of water and suck up a small amount. If the tube works right, the water should stay inside even when you stop pulling on the syringe.

Step 4: Inserting the Tube

Be very cautious when inserting the tube into the mouth of the pup. When inserting the tube, you need to slide it over its tongue and down the esophagus.  A bit of resistance is natural. But if there is excessive resistance, recheck- maybe the tube has entered the windpipe. Remove the tube immediately and start again.

Step 5: Cross-check the Tube Placement

Once the tube is inserted, cross-check that it is not inside the lungs but in the stomach. Pull the syringe back a bit, and if you see air bubbles, the tube may be inside the lungs and not the stomach. You will have to remove it and retry. On the other hand, if you see formula or stomach contents on pulling back the syringe, the tube is inside the stomach.

Step 6: Feed the Puppy

To correctly tube feed the puppy, the syringe has to be attached to the end of the feeding tube. Fill the tube with the prepared formula. Gradually push the plunger. The puppy will start to feed. The pup’s size will determine the rate of feeding. Generally, 1 cc of milk per ounce of the pup’s weight is followed as a thumb-of-rule during the first week per feed.

Step 7: Remove the Tube

Remove the tube carefully after the feed is over. Clean the tube and keep it away safely.

Step 8: Monitor the Puppy

It is crucial to watch the pup constantly after feeding. Speak with the vet immediately if it seems uncomfortable, is facing breathing problems, or has started to vomit.

We’d recommend a familiarization demonstration from a trained professional before you try tube-feeding the puppy on your own.