ABSTRACT
Esophagostomy tubes were placed surgically in 13 dogs and 16 cats. The placement technique used was rapid and only required curved forceps, a scalpel blade, and suture material. Flexible tubes (5- to 30-French) were used for feeding liquids or blenderized diets for up to 557 days. Additionally, esophageal and gastric decompression were accomplished using these tubes. Following tube removal, all ostomy wounds healed by second intention without evidence of esophageal stricture or esophagocutaneous fistula. Complications included kinking, placement in an inappropriate location, obstruction, inflammation or infection of the ostomy site, and reflux of feedings.
Subject(s)
Cats/surgery , Dogs/surgery , Enteral Nutrition/veterinary , Esophagostomy/veterinary , Animals , Cats/physiology , Decompression, Surgical , Dogs/physiology , Enteral Nutrition/instrumentation , Enteral Nutrition/methods , Esophagostomy/adverse effects , Esophagostomy/methods , Retrospective Studies , Surgery, Veterinary/methods , Wound Healing/physiologySubject(s)
Cats/surgery , Dogs/surgery , Nutritional Support/veterinary , Postoperative Care/veterinary , AnimalsABSTRACT
Trauma patients presenting to the veterinarian on an emergency basis commonly have bleeding injuries. Although mild hemorrhage is often self-limiting, severe hemorrhage may be lethal if not surgically controlled. Management of these patients requires rapid assessment and diagnostics so that appropriate treatment is provided in a timely manner. This article describes care of the hemorrhaging patient including assessment, immediate resuscitation, and principles of controlling the hemorrhage. External and surgical methods of treating hemorrhage are discussed, with a concentration on the surgical management of the hemorrhaging patient.
