COMPARISON OF FRENCH-PEZZAR AND MALECOT CATHETERS FOR PERCUTANEOUSLY PLACED GASTROSTOMY TUBES IN CATS

Gastrostomy tubes were placed percutaneously in 28 cats by use of an e ndoscope. French-pezzar mushroom-tip catheters were used for 14 of the procedures, and Malecot catheters were used for the remainder. Inner flanges were not used in gastrostomy tube placement. The french-pezzar catheters remained in place and functional for 2 weeks in all 14 cats . The Malecot catheters remained in place and functional for 2 weeks i n 4 cats. Malecot catheters pulled out in 10 cats, and 2 of these cats died or were euthanatized because of complications. The gastrostomy t ubes were removed in 18 cats 2 weeks after placement by applying gentl e, steady traction and removing the entire catheter or by cutting the tube flush with the shin and leaving the catheter tip in the cat's sto mach. Neither method of removal was associated with problems.