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Old 08-10-2008, 05:49 PM   #422
dianethomas
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Millington, TN USA
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mom2BabyNatalie View Post
Well...... four hours at the vet's.....

She can't open her mouth for the syringe OR the dropper right now.... so yeah... I did.... I had to tube her............................ and I HATED IT!!!

She fought me - and screamed - and sqirmed.... this, all before I even got the tube passed her tongue!! It's the pain of opening her mouth..... I felt like a MONSTER forcing her... but I know it can't be helped....

I pray to God that I got the tube in the tummy and not the lungs.... though I guess I'd know by now?? Maybe?? Ugh!!! I hate this!!!

Tubing is really no better than anything else.... it has lots of risks... lots of potential for infection... and the risk of aspiration is still there..... and I hate it hate it hate it!!! (did I mention I really don't like doing it?)

Not to mention... at least with her nursing... or taking the dropper or syringe... if she aspirates at all, it's gonna' be on a matter of DROPS.... a mouthful maybe...... if I get the tube in her lungs... she's gonna' get 2 full cc's filling her chest cavity!!! I HATE THIS!!!!!!!!!!!

Moving on now..... (sorry)..... okay, so she's home... fed.... and wiggling around her "newly designed" crib. (which SHE HATES!!!)



Dena, If you have to continue with the tubing, she will stop fighting it after a few times. She will learn to associate the tube with a comfy full tummy. I also worried about putting the tube in wrong. If you get it in and give her a split second to catch a breath, you will know you have it in correctly. She won't be able to breathe if you have it in wrong. But you will know immediately, so don't let that frighten you. Make sure when you pull it out that you do so in one swift motion. That way it doesn't trigger her gag reflex and induce vomiting. It is much worse for her to aspirate vomit than the formula . It helped for me to have an extra pair of hands until I really learned how to do it. There is too much for one person to do it effectively when you are just learning. (holding Emma, the tube from sliding out, and the syringe is hard enough, but somehow you have to function the plunger, too.) It will get easier with practice.
The other option my vet gave me was a pick line into Z's stomach from the side. It is kind of like a port you hook a syringe into for feeding. He wasn't big on the idea, because it was a risk for infection, but you have a different situation. Emma has open wounds in her mouth, and is already at risk for infection.
Just a thought.
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