When your cat is unable to eat on its own, or unwilling to eat due to a medical condition, there are ways to be certain he or she receives the nutrition needed to regain strength and heal. At the Animal Clinic at Thorndale, we know various types of tube feeding can help your cat through the rough patches. Nasal gastric tubes can be placed in an awake cat in our hospital and are useful for thin liquids. The esophagostomy tube and the gastrostomy tube placements require general anesthesia but offer greater flexibility in feeding.
Esophagostomy Tube Feeding (E-Tube)
An esophagostomy tube is a small rubber tube that enters a surgical incision on the side of the neck. Placement of the tube through this incision allows food to enter the esophagus and then flow down into the stomach. The tube is not placed directly into the stomach.
One of the most common uses of the feeding tube is in management of hepatic lipidosis (“fatty liver” ). Esophagostomy tube feeding can be life saving in some of these cats. Because anorexia (not eating) can be a significant problem in sick cats, the tube has application in many other situations, as well.
Feeding Procedure
A special food mixture is syringed through the tube two to four times per day. This food is formulated to meet the cat’s nutritional needs; it should not cause vomiting or diarrhea. To feed your cat, follow these steps:
- The prescription food is uniformly mixed.
- Remove the cap from the feeding tube.
- Using the syringes provided, inject the food into your cat’s feeding tube using the prescribed schedule.
- Feed the amounts directed at the intervals directed by the veterinarian
- When the food has been injected, inject 2-3 ml of tap water through the tube so food does not remain in it
- Replace the cap in the tube.
Any remaining food should be stored in the refrigerator. Before the next feeding, it should be warmed to body temperature under hot tap water or in a microwave oven. If you heat it in a microwave oven, be sure to thoroughly mix the contents prior to feeding because of uneven heating. Also, always check the temperature prior to feeding to be sure that the food is not too hot.
Using and Removing the Tube
Patience and persistence are essential. Some cats require several weeks of tube feeding before their appetite will return. At least twice weekly, offer your cat a small amount of a favorite food so that you will know when its appetite is improving. The esophagostomy tube will not hinder chewing or swallowing. After your cat has been eating well for 3-4 days, it should be returned to the hospital for tube removal. Removal of the tube is simple and does not require anesthesia; however, you should not attempt to remove the tube yourself.