Summary:
Gastrostomy tubes were placed percutaneously in 28 cats by use of an endoscope. French-pezzar mushroom-tip catheters were used for 14 of the procedures, and Malecot catheters were used for the remainder. Inner flanges were not used in gastrostomy tube placement. The french-pezzar catheters remained in place and functional for 2 weeks in all 14 cats. The Malecot catheters remained in place and functional for 2 weeks in 4 cats. Malecot catheters pulled out in 10 cats, and 2 of these cats died or were euthanatized because of complications. The gastrostomy tubes were removed in 18 cats 2 weeks after placement by applying gentle, steady traction and removing the entire catheter or by cutting the tube flush with the skin and leaving the catheter tip in the cat's stomach. Neither method of removal was associated with problems.
