Nasogastric tube feeding in cats with suspected acute pancreatitis: 55 cases (2001-2006).

Abstract

To evaluate the complications and outcome associated with different nasogastric tube (NGT) feeding techniques in cats with suspected acute pancreatitis. Descriptive retrospective case series. Small animal emergency and referral hospital. The patient database (2001-2006) was searched for cats with suspected acute pancreatitis that received NGT liquid enteral feeding within 72 hours of admission and ≥12 hours during hospitalization. Signalment, history, clinical signs, laboratory data and abdominal ultrasonographic examinations were used for suspected diagnosis. Cats were grouped based upon whether they received bolus feeding or continuous rate infusion (CRI) of a liquid diet via the NGT, and whether or not administration of an intravenous amino acid and carbohydrate solution occurred prior to NGT feeding (AAS and non-AAS group, respectively). Fifty-five cats were included. For all cats, NGT feeding was initiated at a mean of 33.5 ± 15.0 hours and the target caloric intake (1.2 X {(30 X BW [kg]) +70}) was reached at 58.0 ± 28.4 hours from presentation. There was a significantly longer time from admission to the initiation of NGT feeding in the 34/55 cats in the AAS group vs. the 21/55 cats in the non-AAS group (P = 0.009). The 8 bolus-fed cats took longer to reach target caloric intake vs. the 47 CRI-fed cats (P = 0.002). Complications associated with NGT feeding for all cats included: mechanical problems (13%), diarrhea (25%), vomiting following NGT placement (20%) and vomiting following NGT feeding (13%). Mean time to discharge for all cats occurred after 78.6 ± 29.5 hours with an overall weight gain of 0.08 ± 0.52 kg. Fifty cats survived 28 days post-discharge. NGT feeding in this group of cats with suspected acute pancreatitis was well tolerated, and associated with a low incidence of diarrhea, vomiting, and mechanical complications.