Verifying Feeding Tube Placement in Canine and Feline Neonates

Abstract Background: Tube feeding is a common procedure neonatology. In humans, tube misplacement is reported to occur up to 59% and may lead to perforation in 1.1% of preterm intubated neonates. While numerous studies on optimal tube placement have been performed in human neonates, the current recommendations on tube feeding in canine and feline neonatology are based, at best, on studies made in adults. Our aim is to test ultrasonography as a tool, and to compare different anatomical predictive markers used in human, canine and feline neonates.Results: Predictive tube length when held bent between the last rib to the mouth may induce trauma compared to when held straight. A strong positive linear correlation was found between the birthweight and the localization of the gastric cardia. Ultrasonography, compared to coeliotomy findings were similar. Stomach volume was less than 2 ml per 100 g in the less than one-day-old studied puppies (n= 25) and kittens (n=28).Conclusion: A weight-based equation is proposed to help predicting appropriate tube placement. Ultrasonography can be used as tube placement control. Less than one-day-old neonates have a lower stomach capacity. Further studies are required to evaluate whether older growing animals follow the same correlation compared to the weight. Further in vivo studies are warranted to determine a gold standard procedure for tube feeding in neonatal puppies and kittens.