COMPLICATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH USE OF JEJUNOSTOMY TUBES IN DOGS AND CATS - 40 CASES (1989-1994)

Objective-To evaluate complications and outcomes of surgeries in which jejunostomy tubes were used in critically ill dogs and cats. Design-R etrospective review of medical records. Animals-32 dogs and 8 cats. Pr ocedure-In each animal, a 5-F or 8-F red rubber urethral/feeding cathe ter was surgically placed in the proximal portion of the jejunum. Resu lts-The most common indication for jejunostomy tube placement in dogs was a gastrointestinal condition (20 dogs; 62.5%). Neoplasms were dete cted in 11 of the 20 dogs. Pancreatic disease was the most common indi cation for tube placement in cats (7 cats; 87.5%). Thirty-three animal s (27 dogs, 6 cats; 82.5%) did not have complications. Five dogs and 2 cats had 10 tube-related complications, including focal cellulitis (3 dogs), tube dislodgement (2 dogs, 1 cat), and tube occlusion (1 dog, 1 cat). Twenty-four animals (20 dogs, 4 cats; 60%) were discharged fro m the hospital. Fifteen dogs and 4 cats were alive 2 weeks after disch arge, and 5 dogs and 2 cats survived for at least 4 weeks after discha rge. Deaths were related to disease and were not associated with jejun ostomy tubes. Clinical Implications-the complication rate associated w ith jejunostomy tubes appears to be low. Complications usually are non fatal.