Retrospective evaluation of 24 cases of gastrostomy tube usage in dogs with septic peritonitis (2009-2016).

OBJECTIVE: To describe the postoperative use of gastrostomy tubes (GT) in dogs with septic peritonitis. A secondary objective was to identify factors associated with GT placement and use that may be related to outcome.

DESIGN: Retrospective study.

SETTING: University teaching hospital.

ANIMALS: Twenty-four dogs diagnosed with septic peritonitis with GT placement at the time of exploratory laparotomy.

INTERVENTIONS: None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Eighteen dogs (75%) survived to discharge. Eighteen dogs (75%) had a gastrointestinal source of septic peritonitis. Complications were reported in 12/24 (50%) patients. Four dogs (16.6%) had non-GT-related complications such as vomiting, regurgitation, or increased gastric residual volume. GT-related complications occurred in 8/24 (33.3%) dogs, the majority of which (6/8 [75%]) were minor and did not necessitate removal of the GT. Two dogs had major complications that required removal of the GT. Significant differences between survivors and nonsurvivors were found between the length of time after placement of the GT to when they began eating and outcome (discharge versus death versus euthanasia) (P = 0.03), and GT dwell time (length of time the GT was in place) and outcome (P = 0.006). Clinically relevant correlations were found between the time after placement of the GT until feeding and time after placement until voluntarily eating (P = 0.0349), time after placement of the GT until voluntarily eating and length of hospitalization (P = 0.0391), and time after placement of the GT until feeding and length of hospitalization (P = 0.036).

CONCLUSIONS: GTs can be placed during exploratory laparotomy in dogs with septic peritonitis. They facilitate early enteral nutrition and are associated with few clinically significant complications. Prospective studies are needed to determine the optimal postoperative feeding plan and the effects of early enteral nutrition on serum albumin concentration in this patient population.