Tube Feeding

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Tube Feeding
Topic Started: Jan 9 2010, 06:32:16 PM (118 Views)
Post #1 Jan 9 2010, 06:32:16 PM	Suzy
I am bummed. I got 3 wc seahorses to bump up my DNA. 2 ate the first day they were here, in a tank full of live food. Those 2 quickly took to frozen but one would never eat anything (live or frozen) I offered her. I have given her enough time, and now I am going to tube feed her. I have a small catheter from work that fits perfectly in her snout. I took some sw frozen mysis and shaved it very, very tiny to fit through the catheter. It only worked a tiny bit, I could only advance the plunger a bit before a piece clogged it. But, I did find how to get her to open her lips to get the cath in! And, all this time I never knew seahorses had lips! But, I am thinking I can make a thick liquid that might work better. Maybe a drop of Selco (fat), some human protein powder (I can "pick some up" from work, fringe benefits?), and maybe a drop of vit. But, what could be a carb source?	Seahorse Whisperer Posts: 3,036 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: June 28, 2008
"i was informed of some dolphin related testing going on up there" Too Funny!


Post #2 Jan 10 2010, 06:28:21 PM	Clint
Why would you need a carb source? if protein is high enough the protein can be the carbs. Do seahorses normally eat carbs?	breeding stock Posts: 377 Group: Members Member #69 Joined: November 22, 2008
Midvale (435) 213-6215


Post #3 Jan 11 2010, 07:35:59 AM	Suzy
No, they normally eat mysis, so do you think fat and protein is enough?	Seahorse Whisperer Posts: 3,036 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: June 28, 2008
"i was informed of some dolphin related testing going on up there" Too Funny!


Post #4 Jan 11 2010, 07:39:37 PM	Clint
Yep! can't think of a reason they would additional carbs, and the fat or protein has plenty of calories. Fat has 9 Kcal/gm and carbs and protein both have 4Kcal/gm.	breeding stock Posts: 377 Group: Members Member #69 Joined: November 22, 2008
Midvale (435) 213-6215


Post #5 Jan 12 2010, 01:50:43 PM	Amie
Wow, I hope this works, seems like a crazy idea. Couldn't you just puree what she should be eating, like mysis, and put that down her?	stormy, stormy nights Posts: 2,356 Group: Admin Member #4 Joined: June 29, 2008
http://www.spawar.navy.mil/sandiego/technology/mammals/interns.html Tell them Adam sent you.


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