Sometimes, through no fault of their own, puppies, kittens or other small animals may need your help to feed.
Feeding syringes can be used to provide formula milk or to administer medication. Beaphar's feeding syringes come in a pack of two, one with a blunt tip and the other with a tapered tip, and provide measurement of up to 12ml.
The syringes can be used with any milk replacer including Beaphar's kitten/puppy/small animal milk and is perfect for hand rearing animals that are newborn, underweight or orphaned. They are also suitable for drip feeding if an animal will not suckle.
The manufacturer has provided the following details for how to use the syringes:
1) Ensure all equipment is clean and sterile before use, preferably by soaking in a sterilising solution.
2) Mix the milk powder as directed and allow to cool until lukewarm (38°C or blood temperature).
3) Fill the blunt tip syringe with the prepared milk replacer and gently press the plunger to ensure the liquid is flowing.
4) It is a good idea to support the animal in a towel. This helps restrain limbs if necessary and absorb any spillages.
5) Gently depress the plunger to squeeze a bead of liquid onto the tip of the syringe and touch on the animal's tongue. This should feel like a nipple and trigger swallowing, in which case continue until the animal seems content. DO NOT SQUEEZE HARD in case you force liquid into the lungs.
If this method does not work, then fill the tapered tip syringe. Gently insert into the animal’s mouth, and release a few drops into the cheek, and allow the animal to swallow.
Be prepared to repeat this every 2–3 hours until the animal is strong enough to feed from a bottle.