The tube should be well lubricated. Orogastric intubation is usually performed in the awake animal with physical restraint when the purpose is to relieve gas distention or administer barium. If the purpose is to gavage to remove toxic contents, heavy sedation or anesthesia is needed. If awake, the animal is restrained in sternal recumbency with the head in a neutral position. A speculum is placed to prevent the animal from chewing the gastric tube.
Commercial speculums are available.
A 1 inch roll of tape makes an excellent speculum and is minimally traumatic. The plastic speculum can be wrapped with adhesive tape to reduce trauma to the oral membranes. The speculum is placed between the dental arcades and the muzzle is held to prevent the animal from spitting out the speculum. The tube is introduced into the oral cavity with the head in a normal position, not extended, not flexed. You may be able to observe the tube passing on the left side of the animal's cervical region as it passes through the cervical esophagus or you may palpate the gastric tube in the cervical region, dorsal to the trachea.