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Angus Productions Inc.

April 20, 2010

Tips on Using a Nasogastric Tube

For baby calves, most cattlemen use an esophageal feeder probe to administer colostrum or fluid. For older calves or adult cattle, a long flexible plastic tube that goes into the nostril and down to the stomach is more appropriate. For calves, a tube 4 feet (ft.) long is adequate. It should be about ¼ inch (in.) in diameter. For adult cattle you need a tube about ½ in. to ¾ in. in diameter, at least 7 ft. long.

This tube is handy to administer fluids or liquid medications, and better than an esophageal feeder when treating a bloated animal. It goes clear into the rumen to let gas come back out the tube before you pour in mineral oil or other medications. It is useful if a calf has been eating dirt and is plugged up. You can put a small amount of water directly into the stomach and let it come back out the tube, bringing dirt with it. By alternately putting water in and draining it out, you can clean dirt out of a calf.

You can make a nasogastric tube from any flexible tubing of proper diameter. Smooth one end with knife, sander or grinder so it won't scrape the nasal passage and throat. Administer fluid by attaching a large funnel to your end after the smooth end has been put into the stomach via the nostril. To administer mineral oil or castor oil (the latter, especially, is thick and won't run down the tube), use a large (140 cc) syringe to force warm oil mixed with a little warm water down the tube.

Restrain a calf by backing it into a corner and holding its head/neck between your legs. Tuck its nose down toward its chest before inserting the tube. If the calf’s head is up or stretched forward, the tube is likely to go straight into the windpipe instead of esophagus. The esophagus is slightly above the windpipe.

Put the smoothed end into one nostril, quickly — before the calf sees it coming and resists by clamping the inner part of its nostril. If the calf clamps it shut, it's difficult to insert the tube and may bloody the calf’s nose. Push the tube quickly to the back of the throat, then go gently and slowly so the calf can swallow it. The calf must swallow the tube before it can enter the esophagus. If the calf fails to swallow, the tube may go into the windpipe instead.

Don't administer fluid, oil or colostrum until you're sure it's in the right place, or you risk drowning the calf. If the calf coughs as you try to put the tube on down, this usually means it's in the windpipe. Take the tube out and start over. If it goes down easily and you meet no resistance — and it goes in at least 2 ft. or more in a small calf — it's in the stomach. It can't go that far in the windpipe, which branches into smaller bronchial tubes.

Check to make sure it's in the stomach by blowing on your end. If you hear burbling noises or smell stomach gas coming out, it's in the stomach. If your blowing makes the calf cough, it's in the windpipe and you must take it out.

Once you're sure it's in the stomach, attach a funnel and administer the fluid or colostrum, or use a syringe to force down the mineral oil or castor oil if you're treating bloat, a plugged-up calf, or an acute toxic gut infection that has shut down the gut.

Editor's Note: It is advisable when performing this technique for the first time to seek the supervision of a trained veterinarian if circumstances will allow.





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