Use of feeding tubes in 112 cats in an internal medicine referral service (2015–2020)

Abstract

Objectives The aims of this study were to describe diseases, complications and outcomes associated with the use of feeding tubes in a population of sick cats with appetite disturbance managed at an internal medicine referral service. Methods Clinicopathological data from cats receiving nasoenteral (NE) or oesophagostomy (O) tubes were studied. Cats were categorised according to their underlying disease and divided into subgroups (NE or O tube). The following factors associated with survival were analysed: disease category, type of tube and return to appetite. Results Included in the study were 112 cats, representing 118 cases. Of the 118 cases, 98 (83%) and 20 (17%) received NE or O tubes, respectively. The most common underlying conditions were digestive (13.5%), hepatobiliary (11%) and upper urinary tract (11%) disorders. Hepatobiliary (50%) and upper respiratory tract (30%) conditions were predominant in the O tube group. Digestive (15%) and upper urinary tract (12%) diseases were more common in the NE tube group. Complications following tube placement occurred in 22/118 cases (18.6%). The global survival rate was 73% and did not differ between NE (71.4%) and O tube (80%) groups ( P = 1.00) or disease categories ( P = 0.61). Return of appetite before feeding tube removal occurred in 56 cases (47%), within a median of 3 days (range 1–30) and was not associated with mirtazapine administration ( P = 1.00). Appetite returned earlier for cats with NE tubes (3 days, range 1–17) than for those with O tubes (33 days, range 5–60; P <0.05). Voluntary food intake was positively associated with survival (odds ratio 15.17). After discharge and feeding tube retrieval, return of appetite was observed in 67% of cases. Conclusions and relevance Feeding tubes were predominantly placed for the management of appetite disturbance in cats with digestive, hepatobiliary and upper urinary tract diseases. While complications were frequent, they were mostly mild, easily managed and did not preclude feeding tube use. Return to appetite occurred in a large proportion of cats during or after assisted enteral feeding and was associated with survival.