What is a pharyngostomy tube?
A pharyngostomy tube is a small rubber tube that enters the skin through a small incision in the side of the neck. The tube enters the esophagus (the muscular tube that transports food from the mouth to the stomach) through the pharynx (back of the throat), allowing food to bypass the mouth and be delivered to the stomach. The pharyngostomy tube does not go all the way into the stomach because of an increased risk of complications.
With the development of so-called gastric peg tubes, pharyngostomy and esophagostomy feeding tubes are not as popular as they used to be, but they can be useful in certain cases.
How do I feed my dog through a pharyngostomy tube?
A special liquid diet or a homemade mixture (listed below) is given by syringe, through the tube, three to five times per day. This food is formulated to meet your dog’s nutritional needs and should not cause vomiting or diarrhea. To feed your dog, follow these steps:
- Warm food to body temperature under hot tap water or in a microwave oven. If you use a microwave oven, thoroughly mix the food before feeding to ensure it is evenly heated. Do not overheat. Before feeding, place the food on the back of your hand to check its temperature. It should feel slightly warm.
- Place one can of the recommended diet in a blender and add 10 oz (300 mL) of water. Your veterinarian will recommend a diet based on your dog’s individual needs.
- Run the blender at the fastest speed (liquefy) until the food is uniformly mixed.
- Pour the food through a kitchen strainer to remove any chunks or clumps of unblended food.
- Flush the tube with 5–10 mL of water to ensure it is not clogged.
- Have your pet lay on their side with the feeding tube facing up. Gently clean around the feeding tube and administration port (opening where you will connect the syringe to the feeding tube).
- Remove the protective cap from the feeding tube. You may need to release the safety valve or open an additional valve before administering the liquefied diet.
- Using the feeding syringe provided, inject the food as outlined by your veterinarian. It is helpful to inject the food slowly, about 1 mL per second, and to elevate your dog’s front feet slightly so the food goes easily into the stomach.
- After all the food has been injected, flush 10 mL of clean water through the tube to remove any remaining food. Replace the cap on the tube.
- Store any remaining food in the refrigerator.
If the feeding tube becomes clogged or obstructed, you may try injecting 5 to 10 mL of carbonated cola beverage or fresh pineapple juice to attempt to loosen the obstruction. If you are unable to clear the obstruction, contact your veterinarian for further instructions.
Note: Some metric measuring devices show measurements in milliliters (mL) and others in cubic centimeters (cc). One mL equals one cc.
When will the feeding tube be removed?
Your veterinarian will decide when to remove the feeding tube based on the condition being treated. The objective is to correct the underlying condition and to remove the tube when the pet can resume eating on its own. Your veterinarian will tell you when to return for the removal procedure. Removing the tube is simple and does not require anesthesia, but you should never attempt to remove it yourself.
