Comparative Clinical Effects of Early Pharyngostomy Alimentation and Intravenous Fluid Infusion following Oesophageal Transection and Anastomosis in Nigerian Breeds of Dogs

Twelve adult Nigerian breeds of dogs were used to compare the clinical responses of dogs alimented through pharyngostomy tubes (PGTs) with those maintained on intravenous infusion (50:50 mixture of Ringers lactate and 5% dextrose saline) during the first 14 days following oesophageal transection and anastomosis (OTA). The dogs were assigned to two groups (n=6), the pharyngostomy tube (PGT) group and the intravenous fluid infusion (IVF) group (n=6). Dogs in both groups underwent routine OTA. The PGT group was fed blanched processed dog food at 70g/kg body weight for 14 days through PGTs, while the IVF group was maintained on intravenous fluids at a dose of 70 mL/kg body weight daily also for 14 days post operatively. The postoperative complications observed in both groups showed that the mortality rate in the IVF group (83.3%) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than in the PGT group (16.7%). Vomiting and leakages at the site of oesophageal anastomosis did not differ significantly between the groups. Cervical swelling was observed in two dogs (33.3%) in the IVF group, while tenesmus and displacement of the tubes were recorded in 66.6% and 100% respectively of the dogs in the PGT group. It is concluded that feeding dogs which had undergone OTA through PGTs during the immediate postoperative period reduces their morbidity and mortality; and shortens the recovery period when compared with similar dogs maintained solely on intravenous fluids.