GASTROSTOMY TUBE FEEDING
A gastrostomy tube is a small rubber tube that enters the stomach through the skin in the cat's side.
It permits you to deliver food directly into the stomach.
The gastrostomy tube is used in cats with diseases that cause long-term anorexia or when jaw
fractures or other mouth injuries are present that prevent eating.
How do I feed my cat through the tube?
A special food, listed below, is syringed through the tube two to four times per day. This food is
formulated to meet the cat's nutritional needs; it should not cause vomiting or diarrhea. To feed your
cat, follow these steps:
1. Feed one of the following:
____ Place 3 cans of CNM-CV + 8 oz (240ml) of water + 2 oz (60ml) of Wesson Oil + 8 Tumil-K
tablets in a blender and run at the fastest speed until the food is uniformly mixed. After mixing, pour
the food through a kitchen strainer.
____ Place 1 can of Feline p/d + 10 oz (300ml) of water + 2 oz (60ml) of Wesson Oil + 8 Tumil-K
tablets in a blender and run it at the fastest speed until the food is uniformly mixed. After mixing,
pour the food through a kitchen strainer.
2. Remove the cap from the feeding tube.
3. Using the syringe provided, inject ________ cc of the food into your cat's feeding tube
________ times per day FOR A TOTAL OF ________ cc PER 24 HOURS. It is helpful to inject the
food slowly, about 1 cc per second, to prevent vomiting.
4. When the food has been injected, inject 10 cc of tap water through the tube so food does not
remain in it. Replace the cap on the tube after completion.
5. Any remaining food should be stored in the refrigerator. Before the next feeding, it should be
warmed to body temperature under hot tap water or in a microwave oven. If you heat it in a
microwave oven, be sure to thoroughly mix the contents prior to feeding because of uneven heating.
Also, always check the temperature prior to feeding to be sure that it is not too hot.
When and how is the tube removed?
Patience and persistence are essential. Some cats require several weeks of tube feeding before
their appetite will return or healing occurs. At least twice weekly, offer your cat a small amount of a
favorite food so that you will know when its appetite is improving. The gastrostomy tube will not
hinder chewing or swallowing. After your cat has been eating well for 3-4 days, it should be returned
to the hospital for tube removal. Removal of the tube is simple and does not require anesthesia;
however, you should not attempt to remove the tube on your own.
A gastrostomy tube is a small rubber tube that enters the stomach through the skin in the cat's side.
It permits you to deliver food directly into the stomach.
The gastrostomy tube is used in cats with diseases that cause long-term anorexia or when jaw
fractures or other mouth injuries are present that prevent eating.
How do I feed my cat through the tube?
A special food, listed below, is syringed through the tube two to four times per day. This food is
formulated to meet the cat's nutritional needs; it should not cause vomiting or diarrhea. To feed your
cat, follow these steps:
1. Feed one of the following:
____ Place 3 cans of CNM-CV + 8 oz (240ml) of water + 2 oz (60ml) of Wesson Oil + 8 Tumil-K
tablets in a blender and run at the fastest speed until the food is uniformly mixed. After mixing, pour
the food through a kitchen strainer.
____ Place 1 can of Feline p/d + 10 oz (300ml) of water + 2 oz (60ml) of Wesson Oil + 8 Tumil-K
tablets in a blender and run it at the fastest speed until the food is uniformly mixed. After mixing,
pour the food through a kitchen strainer.
2. Remove the cap from the feeding tube.
3. Using the syringe provided, inject ________ cc of the food into your cat's feeding tube
________ times per day FOR A TOTAL OF ________ cc PER 24 HOURS. It is helpful to inject the
food slowly, about 1 cc per second, to prevent vomiting.
4. When the food has been injected, inject 10 cc of tap water through the tube so food does not
remain in it. Replace the cap on the tube after completion.
5. Any remaining food should be stored in the refrigerator. Before the next feeding, it should be
warmed to body temperature under hot tap water or in a microwave oven. If you heat it in a
microwave oven, be sure to thoroughly mix the contents prior to feeding because of uneven heating.
Also, always check the temperature prior to feeding to be sure that it is not too hot.
When and how is the tube removed?
Patience and persistence are essential. Some cats require several weeks of tube feeding before
their appetite will return or healing occurs. At least twice weekly, offer your cat a small amount of a
favorite food so that you will know when its appetite is improving. The gastrostomy tube will not
hinder chewing or swallowing. After your cat has been eating well for 3-4 days, it should be returned
to the hospital for tube removal. Removal of the tube is simple and does not require anesthesia;
however, you should not attempt to remove the tube on your own.
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Animal Hospital of Fate 1001 North W.E.Crawford (Highway 66 in Fate) Rockwall, Texas 75087 972-722-0066 |
1001 North W.E.Crawford (Highway 66 in Fate) Rockwall, Texas 75087 972-722-0066 |
| Darren L. Goucher, DVM Dusty B. Goucher, DVM The Staff of the Animal Hospital of Fate |
