A feeding tube may seem like a drastic measure, but it can provide a number of important benefits for cats with health issues. If your cat is struggling to eat or drink on their own, a feeding tube can help ensure they get the nutrients they need to stay healthy. In this blog post, we'll discuss the benefits of a feeding tube for cats and how you can decide if it's right for your pet and how to properly manage if your cat already has one. Keep reading to learn more!
Why is a feeding tube necessary for cats?
A feeding tube is usually necessary for cats who are struggling to eat or drink on their own due to health issues. For example, if your cat has been diagnosed with hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver syndrome) and is not eating but requires nutrition to halt the progression of hepatic lipidosis, a feeding tube is often required. A feeding tube can help make sure your cat gets the nutrients they need even when they're not feeling well enough to eat on their own.
Furthermore, without proper nutrition, it weakens the cat's immune system, makes it harder for wounds to heal, and increases the likelihood of intestinal bacterial translocation due to increased intestinal permeability. A lack of adequate nutrition affects the body's metabolism as well.
There have been several studies that show early enteral nutrition has a positive effect on outcomes for cats that are severely ill. Given how easy it is to place most feeding tubes and the low risk associated with them, they should also be considered for cats that need fluid support or chronic oral medications.
Types of feeding tubes for cats
There are two main types of feeding tubes that can be used for cats: nasogastric and esophagostomy feeding tubes.
A nasogastric feeding tube is a tube that goes through the nose and down the throat into the stomach. This type of feeding tube is usually only used for a maximum of 7 days since it can be quite uncomfortable for cats. The benefit of a nasogastric feeding tube for cats is that it does not require anesthesia for placement. Due to the small diameter of the tube, medications cannot be administered easily due to the risk of clogging the tube. Additionally, nasogastric feeding tubes for cats only allow water or liquid diets to be administered.
An esophagostomy feeding tube, on the other hand, is a tube that goes directly into the esophagus through a small incision in the neck. This type of feeding tube is usually used for long-term (i.e. greater than 1 week) feeding since it's much more comfortable and well tolerated by cats. Esophagostomy tubes can be used to instill thicker food slurries, allowing for the use of canned food and providing a way to administer medication. General anesthesia is required for the placement of an esophagostomy feeding tube and an x-ray is needed after an esophagostomy to make sure it is in the right place and positioned properly. The neck should be wrapped in a bandage until the area where the tube was inserted heals and the tube can stay in for 3–6 months.
How to care for a cat with a feeding tube
If your cat has a feeding tube, there are some things you need to do to make sure the feeding tube stays in place and functions properly.
First, it's important to keep the area around the feeding tube clean and dry. The area should be cleaned at least once daily with medicated soap (chlorhexidine) and water. The feeding tube itself should be flushed with water after each feeding. If your cat has an esophagostomy tube, the neck bandage should be changed every 3-5 days.
Second, it's important to monitor the feeding tube to make sure it's functioning properly and is not blocked. A feeding tube can become blocked if the food slurry is too thick or if the cat vomits after feeding. If you think the feeding tube may be blocked, contact your veterinarian.
Third, it's important to monitor your cat's weight and body condition score to make sure they are gaining or maintaining weight. Your veterinarian will help you determine how much your cat should be eating based on their body weight and the medical ailment.
In closing, a feeding tube for cats is a useful tool that can be used to provide nutrition and medication to cats that are unable to eat on their own. The most common reason for a feeding tube for cats is hepatic lipidosis or fatty liver syndrome. The two most common types of feeding tubes for cats are nasogastric and esophagostomy feeding tubes. Nasogastric feeding tubes are only used for a short period of time (7 days or less) while esophagostomy feeding tubes can be used for long-term feeding. Caring for a cat with a feeding tube requires daily cleaning of the area around the feeding tube and flushing the feeding tube after each feeding. Additionally, it's important to monitor the feeding tube for blockages and your cat's weight and body condition score. If you have any questions about feeding tubes for cats, please consult with your veterinarian.