Feeding tube issue. Tube feedings fine but oral food "catches" in throat

petunia42

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Tearing my hair out.

My big Black had an esophageal feeding tube placed just a week ago. Tolerating his tube feedings well, but he seems now to be having a little difficulty swallowing his wet food in the bowl. He's acting quite interested and heads to the bowl a few times a day. But he mostly licks the liquid from pate, and the few bites he takes...I can hear a slight catch, like a gulp when you swallow too big a piece of food. He tosses his head when he tries swallowing like it's bothering him....the way I'd likely feel if I just had a tube put in my esophagus .

I spoke to an emergency vet tonight who said that because Black is such a big cat, the tube may be tugging a bit on the esophagus causing inflammation.

We've been through sooooo much in the last couple weeks, all because he stopped eating due to herpes flare (which pushed him into HL and diabetic ketoacidosis). Vet even mentioned that the tube might have to be pulled before he's fully eating......argghhhhhh. One thing resolved and the next raises it's ugly head.

But anyone with a cat who had difficulty swallowing oral foods with feeding tube in?
 

sarah ann

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The fact that he wants to eat is a good sign. Inflammation is normal with a tube in place. I had a tube put in place for some diagnostic testing. It is normal to have a sore throat afterwards! I was on liquids afterwards.

The sore throat should go away within a day or two of getting the tube pulled. That he is willing to try eating is a very good sign!
 
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petunia42

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Thanks Sarah Ann,

He did this "licking" of his canned food in the beginning of his recent illness which progressed in a few days to not eating at all. I know cats are creatures of habit so just worry that he will be into the not eating stuff when the tube gets pulled. Once it's pulled and he doesn't eat it's pretty much the end of his life, and as much as it pains me to say, financially I can't afford to go through this again. He's 13 y/o and diabetic and now HL, so he has much working against him. Very much want him to get into food quickly- and I can quit worrying so!

Thanks again for the encouragement.
 
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petunia42

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Just one thing. Know it's not really a sore throat as it's been a little more than a week since the tube was placed. Many of us have tubes placed and normal to sometimes have that throat irritation after surgery or procedures. But a week later throat irritation is gone. I know this is some kind of esophagitis for him with that tube in there. All I can do is hope that it dissipates over time and he'll decide to start eating. Thanks.
 

denice

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This could take awhile.  I had a kitty with fatty liver and it took 2 weeks for him to start picking at his food and he had the tube in for a month.  From what I have seen here my kitty actually made a quicker than average recovery.  Another concern with a feeding tube is improper placement.  Usually that shows up with difficulties with the tube feedings.  If the tube feedings are going well than the feeding tube placement is probably right.  I know this is an expensive deal and it's also a long haul as far as recovery.
 
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petunia42

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Thanks VERY much. Exactly what I hoped to hear. Makes me feel a lot better that your kitty took two weeks and probably early for most kitties.

I watched Black Cat at his last meal, or what was his "sort of" meal, the tiny bit he takes by mouth. He seems to do ok with his canned food- but the semi-hard kitty treats I use to entice him are what sticks in his throat and cause him trouble. Time to find a different kind of treat I guess. But a relief to hear that most likely since the tube feedings are going fine the tube is probably placed ok.

Thanks very much
 

misty8723

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Did they check the placement after they put the tube in?  When they put Cindy's tube in they did XRays to make sure it was positioned correctly.
 
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petunia42

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Yes, it is seated correctly per Xray.. it just is irritating.as he is a big Maine Coon cat and now from what I understand it still "tugs" regardless of the position. He's somewhere between a small and medium sized dog, like a bobcat as explained to me. Hard to get the fit just right. It sounds like if I stay away from hard treats and just the high calorie food he's on he should do fine- already seeing that. Thanks for your input. I really appreciate :)
 
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