Retrospective Evaluation of Complications Associated With Surgically Placed Gastrostomy Tubes in Dogs (2010–2020): 133 Cases

Objective

To evaluate the frequencies of in-hospital complications and survival to discharge in dogs with surgically placed gastrostomy tubes (G-tubes) and to assess the association between G-tube complications and primary disease, serum albumin concentration, and plasma total protein concentration.

Design

A retrospective multicenter study was performed at two university teaching hospitals between January 2010 and December 2020, including 133 dogs with surgically placed G-tubes.

Results

Nine dogs (6.7%) experienced a complication associated with the surgically placed G-tube. The most common complication was stoma site infection/inflammation (8/133 dogs [6%]), which was managed with topical therapy alone. One dog had septic peritonitis secondary to gastrointestinal leakage (1/133 [0.75%]). There was no association between primary etiology, serum albumin concentration, or plasma total protein concentration and complications. No dog died or was euthanized as a result of G-tube complications.

Conclusions

A low in-hospital complication frequency was found to be associated with surgically placed G-tubes in dogs with a variety of primary disease processes. Stoma site infection or inflammation was the major complication noted. Surgically placed G-tubes may be useful in patients undergoing abdominal surgery that are likely to need ongoing nutritional support.