He has his wrap on. Just brought him home from the vet.
| The incision all along his belly has nothing to do with the tube. We decided that it would be prudent, while Nicky was on the operating table to make sure that the other organs weren't affected by the lipidosis. It proved a good idea, because the surgeon noticed that the spleen was somewhat large and would have been a problem inserting the stomach tube. |
| Well, there's the tube. Notice that his sutures have been removed. I don't know but I think that they should make the tube bigger in diameter. I mentionned this to the vet and she did not seem to agree. |
| This is the mixture, consisting of 3 cans of Eukanuba Maximum Calorie, 8oz of water and 8 tablets of potassium gluconate crushed. The mixture is refrigerated. |
| I've taken a portion of the mixture and added water to it because it flows much better in the syringe and the feeding tube. |
| I'm passing the mixture through a sieve because there's too much particles that tend to block the syringe and the feeding tube. This is an absolute necessity, otherwise I'd go bananas!! When I mentionned this to the vet, she let me know in a silent way that it was not such a good idea. So I decided to crush the deposits with a mortar and pestle and incorporate them in the final mixture(that's the clear plastic container underneath the sieve). |
| Now I'm putting a couple of teaspoons(roughly 50-60ml) of the final mixture in a plastic container that will go in the microwave. |
| Like I said in the microwave, for exactly 23 seconds. What can I say, I've gotten it down to a science. |
| Making sure that the mixture is at the right temperature. |
| Filling a syringe about half way with warm water. |
| Filled the other syringe with the food mixture to about 50-60ml. |
| Here you can see the installation for keeping Nicky in place. He has a black shoulder harness that his held to a hook underneath one of my kitchen cabinets. This installation is a must for two reasons: 1. freedom to use both hands in case the tube becomes jammed and also you need one hand with the syringe ant the other on the feeding tube, 2. Keeping him still. Plus, the feeding from start to finish(preparation, feeding, cleaning of the syringes and the plastic containers) takes just about 10-12 minutes. It's important not to keep Nicky in this position for too long, it's enough of an ordeal without it taking too much time. So, I'm removing his wrap and preparing to tube feed him. |
| I've fitted the tube with the syringe with water, and inserting about 5ml of water to make sure that the feeding tube is free of any obstructions. |
| I've fitted the tube with the syringe containing the mixture. I am pushing the plunger at an approx. speed of 2ml/sec. You'd want to empty the syringe has fast as possible to get it over with, it's a normal reaction. But any faster and he'd vomit. During all this process I talk to Nicky to calm him and reassure that everything is fine. |
| At the end of feeding him, he feels full and he's calmer. If ever during the feeding process, the tube or the syringe gets stuck, I just pull back on the plunger a bit and continue again. The value of having your hands free. |
| I've fitted again the tube with the syringe with water, and inserting about 5ml of water to make sure that the feeding tube is free of any obstructions. You don't want any food mixture in the feeding tube between feedings. |
| The feeding tube stopper |
| The stopper is in, the feeding is finished. |
| Finally, filling a cotton ball with Hibitane(an antibacterial solution) |
| With the cotton ball drenched with Hibitane, I clean his skin around the feeding tube. |
| I pull back his little sweater over his feeding tube. All finished! |
| A happy cat and a happy caregiver. |
Updated april 2nd 2002