Nasogastric tubes in conscious cat

RE: Nasogastric tubes in conscious cat

Martin Atkinson — Mon, 15 May 2017 10:32:22 GMT

[quote user="Kate Richardson"]

I'm sure it's not a pleasant experience and def not the ideal feeding tube for other reasons, but it has its place in the right circumstances

[/quote]I have no problems passing a NG tube conscious with a quick trickle of local anaesthetic first. Some object for a few seconds but once in they tolerate them very well. Not as ideal for feeding as an O tube but a damned sight easier to place. I fix them with a butterfly of zinc oxide tape stuck to the head with a couple of strips of the same and put on an E collar to prevent interference. IME Cats will tolerate them well for a 2-3 days which 99% of the time is long enough, the nurses can place them and it is very rare I have to resort to a GA and an O tube.

Dinovet perhaps but I do feel that NG tubes seem to have fallen out of fashion rather than another method being definitely better and there is a bit of peer pressure to use a more invasive method. If a cat is already under GA and I know it is going to need assisted feeding I might fit an O tube but if it is conscious I would always try an NG tube first. There are plenty of suitable liquid diets which can easily be used.

RE: Nasogastric tubes in conscious cat

Kate Richardson — Sun, 14 May 2017 10:18:59 GMT

I'm sure it's not a pleasant experience and def not the ideal feeding tube for other reasons, but it has its place in the right circumstances

RE: Nasogastric tubes in conscious cat

Gillian Mostyn — Sun, 14 May 2017 10:02:14 GMT

[quote user="David Mills"]Passing a NG tube into a person is apparently one of the most awful things to go through after being intubated conscious. Surprised anyone would do it in a cat, O tube only takes 5-10mins.[/quote]

Really? I've had endoscopy of my larynx (via nose and nasopharynx) and although I can't say it was pleasant, I've had more discomfort from a paper cut. Which bit of the procedure is supposed to be that bad?

Just done a bit of research..apparently it isn't the insertion as much as the constant presence of the tube in the nose/throat which is uncomfortable, especially during swallowing. Fair enough.

RE: Nasogastric tubes in conscious cat

Gillian Mostyn — Sun, 14 May 2017 09:56:10 GMT

[quote user="Joyce Whitehead"]I've used a bit of micropore on the tube to make a tab, then superglued to some hair on the forehead and between ears (and an Elizabethan collar). Although if likely to be in for any length of time I prefer oesophageal tubes as you can get much more down, and it doesn't bither the cat nearly as much [/quote]

Ditto.

RE: Nasogastric tubes in conscious cat

Kate Richardson — Sun, 14 May 2017 09:00:18 GMT

[quote user="David Mills"]

Passing a NG tube into a person is apparently one of the most awful things to go through after being intubated conscious. Surprised anyone would do it in a cat, O tube only takes 5-10mins.

[/quote]

i agree and I havent used one for years but if ga is contraindicated there are occasions when it may be indicated for very short term use.

RE: Nasogastric tubes in conscious cat

David Mills — Sat, 13 May 2017 22:33:40 GMT

Passing a NG tube into a person is apparently one of the most awful things to go through after being intubated conscious. Surprised anyone would do it in a cat, O tube only takes 5-10mins.

RE: Nasogastric tubes in conscious cat

Emily Rainbow — Sat, 13 May 2017 22:24:20 GMT

Agree with Joyce, intact I don't think I've ever used an NG in a cat as the O-tubes are wider bore and better tolerated according to my previous experience (at uni).

RE: Nasogastric tubes in conscious cat

Joyce Whitehead — Sat, 13 May 2017 22:11:26 GMT

I've used a bit of micropore on the tube to make a tab, then superglued to some hair on the forehead and between ears (and an Elizabethan collar). Although if likely to be in for any length of time I prefer oesophageal tubes as you can get much more down, and it doesn't bither the cat nearly as much