Complications with non-endoscopic percutaneous gastrostomy in 31 cats and 10 dogs: a retrospective study

Percutaneous gastrostomy tubes were placed non-endoscopically in 31 cats and 10 dogs using either a rigid insertion tube (n = 13) or an Eld gastrostomy tube applicator (n = 28). Tubes were placed successfully in 38 of the 41 animals and the consequent feeding was of therapeutic benefit to 31 of the animals. Six of 41 died or were euthanased for reasons unrelated to gastrostomy. In four cases (10 per cent), gastrostomy failed with respect to correct tube placement or tube feeding. Overall complications occurred in 18 of 41 animals. Severe procedural complications occurred in two cats; a cardiorespiratory arrest during pharyngeal manipulation and erroneous tube placement through the distal oesophagus. Moderate late complications included peristomal food leakage (n = 2), peristomal abscess (n = 2) and pyloric outflow obstruction by a migrated tube (n = 1). Complications associated with the feeding procedure, nausea and vomiting (n = 3), led to aspiration pneumonia in one case.