A Technician’s Role in Placement and Maintenance of Feeding Tubes, Part 1

Patients unwilling or unable to eat benefit from assisted feeding via feeding tubes; feeding tubes are generally tolerated well by most patients, and most are relatively easy to place. Veterinary technicians play an important role in the placement and maintenance of feeding tubes and in educating clients on how to use and maintain feeding tubes at home tube.

The placement of nasoesophageal, nasogastric, pharyngostomy, esophageal, jejunostomy and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tubes and the veterinary technicians’ role in the placement of each of these tube types are discussed. Attendees will learn techniques to easily and correctly place and secure these tubes in place. The appropriate types of foods for each type of feeding tube, calculating the patient’s required caloric intake, and assisted feeding techniques are also discussed in detail. Feeding tube maintenance, troubleshooting, and client education on these types of feeding tubes are also covered. Participants will be shown a variety of feeding tube types and will practice the finger trap suture method of securing feeding tubes in place.