Esophagostomy tubes as a method of nutritional management in cats: a retrospective study.

The use of esophagostomy tubes in 60 feline patients was evaluated retrospectively. Indications for tube placement, complications associated with placement and management, duration of treatment, and change in patient body weight were evaluated. Hepatic disease was the most common indication for tube placement. A minor complication associated with the surgical technique for tube placement was observed in three cases. Inflammation or infection of the tube site, swelling of the head, or vomition of the tube were observed complications during management in 19 cases. Vomiting occurred and was a complicating factor in nine cases. The average duration of tube placement was 23 days, and most patients maintained or gained weight while being fed through their esophagostomy tubes.