Complications and outcomes of temporary tracheostomy in 24 cats

To report complications and outcomes associated with the use of temporary tracheostomy tubes in cats. We hypothesised that a temporary tracheostomy tube in cats would be associated with lower complication rates and better outcomes than previously reported.

This retrospective descriptive study reviewed medical records from three referral centres to identify cats that underwent temporary tracheostomy between January 2004 and December 2020. Inclusion criteria included complete medical records with documentation of complications and short-term outcome of tracheostomy site healing.

Twenty-four cats were included. Inflammatory or infectious laryngitis (8/24; 33%) and laryngeal neoplasia (6/24; 25%) were the most common underlying diseases. Other indications included upper airway obstruction after ventral bulla osteotomy (2/24; 8%); trauma (2/24; 8%); and one of each of laryngeal paralysis, oral mass biopsy and after arytenoid lateralisation. Three cats (13%) had an elective tracheostomy tube placed. 14/24 (58%) cats survived to discharge and 7/24 (29%) were euthanised due to the underlying disease process or complications unrelated to the tracheostomy. Tracheostomy-related complications occurred in 13/24 (54%) cats, of which 9/13 (69%) survived to discharge. Complete tube obstruction (7/24; 29%), partial tube obstruction (6/24; 25%) and tube dislodgement (2/24; 8%) were the most common complications. No cats were euthanised due to tracheostomy tube complications. Management was successful in 21/24 cats (87%). 3/24 (13%) cats died due to cardiopulmonary arrest.

Complications following temporary tracheostomy in cats were common (54%). However, successful management was possible in most cats (87%) with mortality mainly related to the underlying disease process rather than the tracheostomy tube itself.