Purchase the tube feeder through your veterinarian, who will be able to equip you with the correct diameter catheter and syringe size for your Shih Tzu. Sterilize both catheter and syringe between early feedings. The syringe will have graduated markings on the side to record accurate intake. You will need a bowl or large measuring cup for warm water, a candy thermometer and a nontoxic indelible pen or dull knife.
1.Place water heated to 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the bowl or measuring cup. 2.Heat the formula separately (also to 100 degrees Fahrenheit) using the candy thermometer to regulate the temperatures of both liquids. 3.Put the thermometer, syringe, catheter and warmed formula into the bowl of water for transport to the Shih Tzu puppy.
Each puppy should be measured for gavage feeding. Correct measurement is crucial to the Shih Tzu puppy's well-being.
1.Lay each puppy flat on it side on a towel. 2.Measure the catheter from the rounded tip held at a point just behind the Shih Tzu puppy's last rib, along the side of the chest and throat, to just in front of the Shih Tzu puppy's muzzle. 3.Mark the spot of the Shih Tzu puppy's muzzle on the catheter with the pen or dull knife.
If you get the catheter too short, the formula may be aspirated by the Shih Tzu puppy. If you introduce a catheter too long it can puncture through the newborn Shih Tzu's delicate stomach wall. Have your vet walk you through the procedure.
If the end of the catheter is too wide to allow attachment to the syringe, sever the catheter directly behind the beginning of the flute to allow secure attachment to the syringe. Now that you have the syringe attached, place the catheter end into the warmed formula and withdraw the syringe from the plunger. Fill the syringe a few milliliters over the amount directed by your vet. Keep the catheter tip pointed downward, preventing air from getting in.
1.Place the Shih Tzu puppy on a towel in your lap, head elevated in a slightly inclined position. Wrap one hand around the back of the Shih Tzu puppy's head, palm against the back of the skull. 2.Stroke the Shih Tzu puppy with your thumb and opposing fingers on each side of the muzzle by the lip corners. The Shih Tzu puppy should respond by opening its mouth. 3.Always keep the syringe elevated and the catheter end pointing downward. 4.You want very small amounts of formula to slowly drip from the catheter's tip, preventing air from getting in. 5.Directly and gently introduce the tube through the front of the Shih Tzu puppy's mouth. Never force a catheter down a Shih Tzu puppy's throat. Never insert at an angle. 6.The Shih Tzu puppy may at first struggle at the catheter's introduction. Do not push if the catheter does not slip easily down the esophagus. Withdraw the catheter and try again. If the Shih Tzu puppy struggles against the introduction of the catheter, gently apply a small amount of steady pressure to the catheter against the Shih Tzu puppy's resistance; the Shih Tzu puppy should reflexively swallow. The passage should suddenly open and the tube should slide down easily. 7.The catheter is in correct position when the mark you made is just slightly beyond the tip of the Shih Tzu puppy's muzzle. 8.Slowly depress the syringe plunger to begin feeding. 9.Never feed a Shih Tzu puppy until its abdomen is distended and hard. If the Shih Tzu puppy's stomach remains flaccid, you have not fed enough. Feed half the formula, and then burp the Shih Tzu puppy. 10.Be sure to have your vet walk you through the correct procedure for tube feeding before you try this yourself.
The best house training procedures are those that use the Shih Tzu's own instincts to the owner's advantage. These strategies take into account the Shih Tzu's reluctance to soil the spots where he eats and sleeps. This is the concept behind den training and crate training. Dogs are very clean animals, and in nature they always avoid using their dens as toilet areas.
These kinds of natural training methods generally work very well, for both Shih Tzu puppies and older Shih Tzu. Naturally, older, larger dogs will need a larger area for their den, and crate training is generally best used for Shih Tzu puppies and small Shih Tzu.
When house training a Shih Tzu or a Shih Tzu puppy, however, it is important to pay close attention to the signals the Shih Tzu is sending. It is also important to be consistent when it comes to feeding times, and to provide the Shih Tzu with ready access to the toilet area you establish on a regular basis.
It is important as well to never try to rush the process of house training. While some Shih Tzu are naturally easier to train, most Shih Tzu puppies and adult Shih Tzu will experience at least one or two slip ups during the house training process. When these accidents occur, it is important to not get mad and punish the Shih Tzu. Accidents during house training usually mean that the owner is trying to move too fast, or that the Shih Tzu has been left alone for too long. In this case, it is best to just take a step back and start the process again.
It is also important for the owner to reward the Shih Tzu enthusiastically when it does its business in the appointed area. The Shih Tzu should learn to associate doing its business in its toilet area with good things like treats, rewards and praise.
During the house training process, the den area starts out very small, often as small as half of a small room in the beginning. As the Shih Tzu learns to control his bladder and bowels better, and the owner learns to anticipate the Shih Tzu's toilet needs, the den area can be slowly expanded. It is important not to make the den area too large too soon. The den area must be expanded slowly in order for the house training process to move along smoothly.
It is important for the Shih Tzu to be properly introduced to its den. Many Shih Tzu, particularly those who have never been confined before, such as those who have spent their lives as outdoor dogs, may react to the den area as if it is a prison, and constantly whine, cry and try to escape the den. It is important that the Shih Tzu learn to accept its den as a home and not a cage. ] One problem many Shih Tzu owners overlook when house training a Shih Tzu is that of boredom. Boredom is actually the root cause of many behavior problems in Shih Tzu, including chewing and other destructive behaviors. Boredom can also be the root cause of problems with house training. Shih Tzu that are bored often consume large amounts of water during the day, and this excess water consumption can lead to the need to urinate often, even in its den area. Since soiling the den area goes against the Shih Tzu's nature, he can quickly become confused and frightened, thereby setting the house training program back even further.
To prevent the Shih Tzu from becoming bored when you are away from home, be sure to provide him with lots of different kinds of toys, as well as a safe and secure place to sleep. In addition, a vigorous period of play time can help the Shih Tzu sleep while you are away. In addition, playing with the Shih Tzu in its den area will help him bond with this area and recognize it as a safe, secure home.
Connie Limon has sinced written about articles on various topics from Careers and Job Hunting, Dogs and Colon Cleanse. Connie Limon is a Shih Tzu breeder. She publishes a FREE weekly newsletter with a focus upon health and wellness for you and your pets. Designer Pet Clothing is offered on the website. Sign up at:. Connie Limon's top article generates over 135000 views. to your Favourites.