We've previously reported and posted on the benefits of nutritional support of our sick small animal patients (Early Nutritional Management in Dogs and Cats with Acute Pancreatitis; Acute Pancreatitis and Early Nutrition).
In a previous webinar on Feeding Tubes, Dr. Elisa Mazzaferro explained the effects of malnutrition, essentials for performing a nutrition assessment, and summarized the ways we can ensure nutritional support of our small animal patients:
[Dr. Mazzaferro has also demonstrated PEG Tube Surgical Placement, Use, Care, and Maintenance.]
In clinical practice nasoesophageal (NE) and nasogastric (NG) tubes are two of the easiest and least expensive means for providing nutritional support for dogs and cats. Although tube placement is fairly straightforward, misplacement of the tube into the respiratory tract (tracheobronchial tree) instead of the intended esophagus or stomach, is a potential complication. Dr. Melissa Holahan previously shared some 'best practices' for ensuring proper placement of NE / NG tubes.
In this VetVine Specialty Update we summarize the recommendation made in a recent publication and describe a new mode for Ensuring the Correct Placement of Nasogastric and Nasoesophageal Feeding Tubes (running time: 16 mins).
