How To Tube A Penguin

Penguins are tubed multiple times a day with water, fluids called darrows, and formula. Smaller tubes are also used to give medication.

 

When water is given, sterile 250mL syringes are filled with lukewarm water. One syringe is given to juveniles and two are given to adults. The air has to be squeezed out of the tube before it is put down the penguin's throat so excess air isn't put into its stomach, especially because they are often tubed up to 5 times a day.

 The penguin's beak must be held open with one hand while the tube is inserted into the mouth, avoiding the air hole, and down the throat. The hand that is holding the beak then holds the tube while the other holds the tube where it is connected to the syringe, and slowly squeezes it. 

 The most important part of tubing is avoiding the air hole, staying close enough to the mouth so as to see the air hole and make sure the penguin keeps the water or formula down, and doing it calmly and quickly. The longer it takes and the more nervous you are, the more stressed out the bird will be and the more likely you are to make a mistake.

 

Tubing is one of the first skills I learned at SANCCOB but you always have to be focused and calm, no matter how much of an expert you are. Small birds like Hartlubs and Seagulls are also tubed as well as larger birds like Gannets and tubing is often followed by medication.