Oesophagostomy tubes

Re: Oesophagostomy tubes

Robin Grimmer — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:42:49 GMT

Me either. As well as the points Evelyn makes, you shouldn't leave a n/g tube in for more than a few days, whereas an O-tube can be left in for weeks.

We had an old Cooks tube that I used. I just needed to chop the end off to make it fit the syringe. A good tip I picked up if you need to make more fenestrations is to fold the tip of the tube over, snip a corner of the tube off and hey presto you have a fenestration!

I wouldn't use a dog urinary catheter as they are too stiff and too long, and if you cut them short you'll have a sharp end.

Re: Oesophagostomy tubes

Mark Holmes — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:00:20 GMT

[quote user="Gerry Henry"]

Only ever used naso-gastric tubes for feeding cats with HL, why would you want an oesophagostomy tube? On the subject of tube feeding, what liquid do you use; we used to use FORTRAL (thick but v smooth so easily syringed) but its been withdrawn; we now use LIQUIVITE but we need to strain it to get the lumpy bits out; anyone got any experience of ENTERAL CARE (currently out of stock NVS/Dunlops).

[/quote]

Having used O tubes for some time, I have no inclination to use a NG tube ever again.

Re: Oesophagostomy tubes

Claire McConnell — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 14:13:16 GMT

A/D diet in a blender is syringed in nicely

Re: Oesophagostomy tubes

Michael Woodhouse — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 13:11:20 GMT

[quote user="Gerry Henry"]Only ever used naso-gastric tubes for feeding cats with HL, why would you want an oesophagostomy tube?[/quote]

You answered your own question!

[quote user="Gerry Henry"]we now use LIQUIVITE but we need to strain it to get the lumpy bits out;[/quote]

Re: Oesophagostomy tubes

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 11:29:52 GMT

[quote user="Gerry Henry"]Only ever used naso-gastric tubes for feeding cats with HL, why would you want an oesophagostomy tube? [/quote]

Well, I don't want to start one of those "discussions" but I'd say you can get far more food much more easily down the oesophagotomy; it's less unpleasant for the cat; it's better tolerated by the cat; it's never vomited out, whereas the nasal tube is sometimes sneezed or clawed out.

I think a dog urinary catheter would do in emergency, but it's really too stiff and too narrow.

[quote user="Gerry Henry"] On the subject of tube feeding, what liquid do you use;[/quote]

Liquivite is our usual one. Sometimes Instant Diet Convalescence or whatever it's called now.

Re: Oesophagostomy tubes

Gerry Henry — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 11:13:00 GMT

Re: Oesophagostomy tubes

Hannah Wynne Richards — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 09:57:39 GMT

For a cat, a large size dog urinary catheter

Wynne

Re: Oesophagostomy tubes

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 20:37:28 GMT

I've never needed to try a Foley catheter......... but I think if the tube is vomited out it was inserted too far down in the first place.

Re: Oesophagostomy tubes

Martin Atkinson — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 08:59:01 GMT

Any bit of suitable tubing that happens to be lying around. I had some red bunsen burner tubing which was ideal but have variously used stomach tubing, bubble tubing from the suction machine and some infant feeding tubes I inherited from somewhere. If the tube is too flexible like a Foley it can be vomited out, too stiff and its difficult to flex it thought the stoma. If I just cut a piece of tube from a length I may chamfer the end so it isn't quite so traumatic

Re: Oesophagostomy tubes

Robert Wilson — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 23:15:33 GMT

I usually use a Foley catheter; cut the end off first. Works well. Diet coke to unblock if gets sludged.

Re: Oesophagostomy tubes

Claire Fisher — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 22:48:46 GMT

[quote user="Robin Grimmer"]

[quote user="Claire Fisher"]

I think ours are MILA from Direct Medical Supplies - www.directmedical.uk.com

I use the curved forcep method to put them in.

[/quote]

thanks for the replies. I think I've used this one before, they are a bit long though aren't they?

[/quote]

They are reasonably long but I've managed ok with them. Not tried cutting them down, might do that next time.

Re: Oesophagostomy tubes

Andrew Kent — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 22:40:35 GMT

[quote user="robloxley"]

We have a van noort set but it doesn't get used as the tubes are pretty narrow (10F I think)

[/quote] You can use a variety of sizes with the van noort sets, think we have from 8 to 14 French you just get different introduction needles and sheaths. I find it much quicker and straight forward than forceps but I guess as most things it's what you're used to!

Re: Oesophagostomy tubes

Rob Loxley — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 19:04:18 GMT

We have a van noort set but it doesn't get used as the tubes are pretty narrow (10F I think)

I tend to use the curved forceps method and a human feeding tube or have used one of these (http://www.surgivet.com/catalog/critical-care/gastroenterology/feline-esophagostomy-tubes-silicone.html) which was nice and doesn't kink easily so a doddle to put in. The MILA ones are nice but not available through our wholesaler so a pain to get hold of (like most of the MILA products!).

Re: Oesophagostomy tubes

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 18:50:52 GMT

[quote user="Robin Grimmer"] they are a bit long though aren't they?[/quote]

Doesn't matter, you are going to cut it to length!

Re: Oesophagostomy tubes

Robin Grimmer — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 17:09:50 GMT

[quote user="Claire Fisher"]

I think ours are MILA from Direct Medical Supplies - www.directmedical.uk.com

I use the curved forcep method to put them in.

[/quote]

thanks for the replies. I think I've used this one before, they are a bit long though aren't they?

Re: Oesophagostomy tubes

Claire Fisher — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 15:21:08 GMT

I think ours are MILA from Direct Medical Supplies - www.directmedical.uk.com

I use the curved forcep method to put them in.

Re: Oesophagostomy tubes

Amanda Nicholls — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 14:29:58 GMT

[quote user="Evelyn Barbour-Hill"]

Rubber tubes are getting more difficult to get hold of. Mine are actually labelled "urological catheter": no matter, they work just the same.

[/quote]

I get them from vet direct for a few pounds each and put them in using the curved forcep method. Also agree about not bandaging them in, the only times I've had cats pull the tubes out is when they've been trying to get the bandages off!

Re: Oesophagostomy tubes

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 14:14:00 GMT

[quote user="Andrew Kent"]you can just get the tubes and do it the curved forcep way.[/quote]

I'd second that.

Red rubber "stomach" tubes are best in my opinion. Size - the biggest you can manage. Size 16 Ch (I think that's the same as 16 French). If the cat is small you might need to go to 14 or 12.

Rubber tubes are getting more difficult to get hold of. Mine are actually labelled "urological catheter": no matter, they work just the same.

Plastic tubes are generally too stiff and just not nice. But a "lamb feeder" tube would do if it were urgent.

"It works for me" tip: don't do what it says in the textbooks and leave a long end on the tube bandaged to the cat. When you've got it in place and sutured on, cut it to about an inch and a half from the wound. The cat rarely minds this sticking out. A luer syringe nozzle fits neatly in to the tube. When not feeding, put a stopper on (the blanking stoppers from 3-way taps are handy - I always keep these). There is absolutely no need to bandage anything and it is extremely rare to need a collar. Don't be tempted to clean the wound vigorously or anoint it with anything, let it get crusty if it wants. The only times I have seen notable infection in the wound after tube removal have been in cases where somebody kept cleaning and faffing with the wound.

Re: Oesophagostomy tubes

Andrew Kent — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 12:14:03 GMT

We get ours from Surgivet (think this replaced Cooks?) and use the Van Noort introduction sets - you probably needs to do a reasonable number to make it worth while having the kits otherwise you can just get the tubes and do it the curved forcep way.

Link here

Andy

Re: Oesophagostomy tubes

Michael Woodhouse — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 11:37:45 GMT

Vet Instrumentation do a kit, but they seem to only offer a single tube size.

Linky

I may be slated for this as a student I helped a vet improvise one in a cat using a lamb feeding stomach tube (stiff plastic one) and cat did ok. Was all we had on a Friday PM!