Tube Feeding

• Surgifix

  stockinette, used to secure feeding tubes as not as bulky as bandages, can rub in certain areas e.g., under arms
• How is an NO tube placed?

  pre-med, topical numbing agent

  second individual, head neutral, hands on neck

  lubricate, gloves

  pass through nose, ensure no crunching
• Nasal Oesophageal (NO) Tube


  this is a tube that is placed through the nose, down the throat and into the stomach, narrow tube for liquid diets only
• Oesophagostomy Tube Advantages


  some medications can be given through the tube

  tolerated well

  simple placement and removal
• PEG Disadvantages


  expensive

  invasive

  surgical procedure so GA required for placement

  aseptic placement required
• Why should the amount of water put into a feed be measured?

  when diluted, the nutritional content decreases and measuring the water allows us to know how much nutrition the individual received
• How would an animal with a feeding tube be fed?

  stomach capacity - 40-90mls/kg, if inappetent, 10ml\kg

  uncap and flush with water

  connect food syringe to tube and push slowly, should take 10-15mins

  flush with water, 10ml, once feed completed

  clean top of tube and put the buster collar back on
• Oralade

  electrolyte solution, fairly palatable
• Oesophagostomy Tube Disadvantages

  surgical procedure so GA required

  aseptic placement
• How is an Oesophagostomy Tube placed?

  surgical, anaesthesia

  right lateral recumbency

  measure tube from cervical oesophagus to 8th intercostal space

  make incision, place tube
• NO Tube Disadvantages

  facial irritation

  easily blocked

  risk of dislodgment
• NO Tube Advantages

  inexpensive

  minimally invasive

  can be done conscious

  no surgical wound
• Why do animal with a feeding tube wear a buster collar?

  to prevent interference
• PEG Tube

  placed directly through the skin into the stomach

  mushroom tipped
• Oesophagostomy Tube

  placed directly into the oesophagus, liquid and blended diet
• PEG Advantages

  can be fed from home by owner

  ideal for long-term patients

  tolerated well and comfortable

  bypasses part of the upper GI tract