Key Benefits
- 3Rs Refinement — evidence-based — flexible plastic tubes are clinically evidenced to reduce oesophageal inflammation and perforation risk versus rigid metal needles (Herrod et al., 2023; BVAAWF/FRAME/RSPCA/UFAW guidelines)
- Colour-coded by gauge — FTP Series uses consistent colour coding — black (22 ga), yellow (20 ga), pink (18 ga), blue (15 ga), purple (13 ga) — for fast visual identification across species
- Full species range — 14 polypropylene sizes from 22 ga/25 mm (mouse pups under 20 g) to 13 ga/150 mm (rabbits and large rodents) with species-matched tube recommendations
- Viscous compound capability — polyurethane FTPU Series provides double the inner diameter of equivalent polypropylene sizes, with a straight wiping tip for oil-based and suspension formulations
Overview
Instech Laboratories' oral gavage feeding tube range consists of three disposable product lines designed to cover every preclinical oral dosing scenario. The polypropylene FTP Series is the core offering — 14 sizes spanning 22 ga (mouse pups under 20 g) through 13 ga (rabbits and large rodents), colour-coded by gauge for rapid tray identification, EtO-sterilised and packaged in pouches of five. Each tube uses a soft elastomer bulb tip that prevents accidental tracheal placement and conforms to the oesophageal wall on insertion. Flexible tube construction means the tube bends rather than perforates if resistance is met.
For viscous or suspension compounds that require a larger bore, the polyurethane FTPU Series provides double the inner diameter of the equivalent polypropylene size. The straight rounded tip wipes clean on withdrawal, reducing aspiration risk — particularly important when dosing oil-based or suspension formulations. Capsule dosers (FTPU-C9) enable solid oral dosing using size 9 gelatin capsules, expelling the capsule with a small air or water flush via a standard luer syringe.
Flexible plastic gavage tubes are a recognised 3Rs Refinement under the BVAAWF/FRAME/RSPCA/UFAW Joint Working Group guidelines, and peer-reviewed evidence (Herrod et al., 2023 — BMS Discovery Toxicology) demonstrates significantly less oesophageal inflammation with flexible tubes versus rigid metal needles. All Instech polypropylene tubes comply with USP Class VI and FDA 21 CFR 177.1520. Walker Scientific supplies the full Instech gavage range with local support across Australia, New Zealand, and Africa.
Key Features
- Polypropylene FTP Series: 14 sizes, 22 ga to 13 ga, 25 mm to 150 mm
- FTP Series colour-coded by gauge: black (22 ga), yellow (20 ga), pink (18 ga), blue (15 ga), purple (13 ga)
- Soft elastomer bulb tip — prevents tracheal placement, conforms to oesophagus on insertion
- EtO-sterilised, individually pouched in packs of 5 — boxes of 50 or 250
- USP Class VI and FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 compliant materials
- Polyurethane FTPU Series: 2x inner diameter of equivalent PP size, straight wiping tip for viscous compounds
- Capsule dosers (FTPU-C9-85): size 9 gelatin capsule delivery for solid oral dosing in rats
- Standard luer hub fits all common syringes — no adapters required
- Covers mouse pups (<20 g) through guinea pigs, rabbits, and large rodents
- Made in USA; ISO 10993 compliant (FTPU Series)
Typical Applications
- Oral gavage dosing in pharmacology, toxicology, and efficacy studies
- GLP and non-GLP preclinical drug administration
- Viscous and oil-based formulation dosing (polyurethane series)
- Solid oral dosing using gelatin capsules (capsule doser series)
- Neonatal, juvenile, and adult rodent dosing
- Chronic repeated-dose and acute oral dosing protocols
- Nutritional supplementation and dietary studies
- Animal welfare refinement programmes (3Rs)
Specifications
| FTP Series — Gauges | 22 ga, 20 ga, 18 ga, 15 ga, 13 ga |
|---|---|
| FTP Series — Lengths | 25 mm (mouse pups) to 150 mm (rabbit/large rodent) |
| FTP Series — Tip | Soft elastomer bulb tip |
| FTP Series — Material | Polypropylene; USP Class VI, FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 |
| FTP Series — Sterilisation | EtO sterilised; disposable, single use |
| FTP Series — Packaging | Boxes of 50 or 250 (pouches of 5) |
| FTPU Series — Gauges | 16 ga (mice >30 g), 13 ga (rats 200–300 g) |
| FTPU Series — Inner diameter | Approx. 2x equivalent FTP gauge — for viscous/suspension compounds |
| FTPU Series — Tip | Straight rounded tip, wipes clean on withdrawal |
| FTPU Series — Material | Polyurethane tube with PETG hub; ISO 10993 compliant |
| Capsule Doser — Model | FTPU-C9-85 — 85 mm, for size 9 gelatin capsules |
| Capsule Doser — Packaging | Boxes of 20 (pouches of 2) |
| Hub connection | Standard luer fit (all syringe types) |
| Species coverage | Mouse pups (<20 g) to rabbits and large rodents |
Which feeding tube series do you need?
Instech offers three disposable gavage tube lines. Use these criteria to identify the right series, then contact Walker Scientific for size selection based on your species and body weight.
- Aqueous solutions, thin suspensions, and standard oral dose formulations
- Colour-coded by gauge for fast identification on the dosing tray
- 22 ga/25 mm (mouse pups <20 g) to 13 ga/150 mm (rabbit, large rodents)
- EtO sterilised, individually pouched — boxes of 50 or 250
- Oil-based, viscous, or suspension formulations that resist flow through standard PP tubes
- Approximately 2× the inner diameter of the equivalent polypropylene gauge
- Straight rounded tip wipes clean on withdrawal — reduces aspiration risk
- 16 ga for mice >30 g; 13 ga for rats 200–300 g
- Administers size 9 gelatin capsules to rats without dissolving the compound
- Used when test article cannot be formulated as a liquid or suspension
- Capsule expelled with a small air or water flush via luer syringe
- Compatible with Torpac size 9 capsules; 85 mm length for rats
Need help selecting the right size for your species and body weight? Contact Walker Scientific — we'll match the correct tube to your protocol.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are flexible plastic gavage tubes safer than rigid metal needles?
Yes — peer-reviewed evidence (Herrod et al., 2023, BMS Discovery Toxicology) demonstrates significantly less oesophageal inflammation with flexible plastic tubes versus rigid metal needles. Flexible tubes bend when resistance is met rather than perforating tissue, and the soft elastomer bulb tip prevents inadvertent tracheal placement. Flexible plastic oral gavage tubes are recommended as a 3Rs Refinement under the BVAAWF/FRAME/RSPCA/UFAW Joint Working Group guidelines on Refinement.
Are Instech stainless steel gavage needles still available?
No. Instech has discontinued all stainless steel gavage needles, citing escalating costs, declining volumes, and unacceptable lead times. They recommend transitioning to the polypropylene FTP Series, which covers equivalent gauge and length combinations for all standard mouse and rat sizes. Contact Walker Scientific for transition guidance if you are currently using metal needles.
How do I select the correct tube size for my animals?
Tube length should approximate the distance from the bottom of the mouth to the sternum. For mice under 20 g, the FTP-22-25 (22 ga, 25 mm) is recommended. For mice 20–30 g, FTP-20-30 or FTP-20-34. For mice over 30 g, FTP-20-38. For rats under 100 g, FTP-22-38 or FTP-18-30. For rats 100–200 g, FTP-18-38 or FTP-18-50. For rats 200–300 g, FTP-18-75. For rats over 300 g, FTP-15-100. For guinea pigs, FTP-13-90. Contact Walker Scientific with your species, weight range, and dose volume for specific recommendations.
When should I use polyurethane tubes instead of polypropylene?
The polyurethane FTPU Series is designed for viscous, oily, or suspension formulations that flow poorly through standard polypropylene tubes. The FTPU tubes offer approximately twice the inner diameter of the equivalent polypropylene gauge, and their straight rounded tip wipes clean on withdrawal — reducing the risk of compound aspiration as the tube is removed. If you are dosing with corn oil, polyethylene glycol, or thick suspension vehicles, the FTPU Series is the recommended option.
What are capsule dosers and when are they needed?
Capsule dosers (FTPU-C9-85) allow oral administration of a test compound formulated in a size 9 gelatin capsule directly to the rat stomach, bypassing the need to dissolve or suspend the compound. This is useful when the compound is insoluble, unstable in solution, or when the study design requires a solid oral dose form. The capsule is loaded into the tube and expelled by a small air or water flush via a standard luer syringe. Compatible with Torpac size 9 capsules.
Are the feeding tubes suitable for GLP studies?
Yes. The polypropylene FTP Series tubes are EtO-sterilised, individually packaged in pouches of five, and comply with USP Class VI and FDA 21 CFR 177.1520. The polyurethane FTPU Series is ISO 10993 compliant. Single-use disposable packaging eliminates cross-contamination between animals and dose groups, making them well-suited to GLP-compliant preclinical studies.
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