Cat Feeding Tube Problems

A feeding tube is used as a means of getting nutrition into a cat that needs to eat but has either lost their appetite such as after major surgery or has physical difficulty eating such as a fractured jaw. In addition to cats we use feeding tubes in our practice for turtles and tortoises that are not eating. The feeding tube is a temporary solution which could be required anywhere from two to six weeks or until she starts to eat regular food again.

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Feeding tube dismissal.

Cat feeding tube problems.

The feeding tube is inserted through her neck directly into her esophagus. Causes of lack of appetite internal organ diseases like hepatic lipidosis infections felv and fevers along with anatomical problems like a broken jaw can all prevent a cat from taking in adequate nutrition. Inspect the tube before you feed the cat. This tube goes directly into their esophagus to facilitate feeding and giving medications until your cat feels well enough to start eating on their own.

Make sure that the tube hasn t moved or come out of the stomach. Tube feeding is an alternative way of providing nutrition to a cat that is suffering from anorexia lack or loss of appetite or has some anatomical or surgical condition that prevents it from eating normally. Your cat has just had a feeding tube placed in the side of their neck. Unfortunately when most people hear the term feeding tube they tend to panic feeling like this is the end of the road for their cat.

It is stitched in at her neck incision and held in place with tape as well. Why is tube feeding necessary. The real beauty of having a feeding tube in place is that you can also administer medications through the tube rather than having to struggle to get your cat to take them. It s important a cat continues to take in nutrition in order to speed healing and to prevent complications due to organ shutdown.

To check if it is in the right place insert an empty syringe and pull the plunger out. Tube feeding potential problems complications problem symptoms immediate action possible causes prevention aspiration heartburn or vomiting coughing choking difficulty breathing and or shortness of breath with or without chest pain loud wet breath sounds rapid heart rate. If any food or water comes up the tube has slipped. Feeding tubes save lives and are not used as often as they should be for anorexic patients.

In some cases a cat is unwilling or unable to eat on its own. The tube will need to be flushed with water after each feeding and the area around the end of the tube that sticks out of your cat s neck needs to be kept clean. However feeding tubes should not necessarily be viewed as a doom and gloom overly heroic measure.