VET230: Animal Nutrition, Reproduction, Genetics, and Aging Project
Name:
Student #: 23408113
Date of Submission: October 30, 2025
, Veterinary technicians play a crucial role in educating clients on the proper care and well-
being of their beloved pets. Veterinary technicians will be responsible for educating clients on
their animal’s nutritional needs, assisting in reproduction, and supporting them through the end-
of-life stage.
When educating clients about the nutritional needs of their animal, there may be a time
when a patient will need assisted feeding. For example, a 12-year-old dog with advanced renal
failure was recently hit by a car and hospitalized. The dog has a jaw fracture and can’t eat. For
three days before the accident, the dog exhibited a decreased appetite and refused to eat. In this
scenario, the technician will need to help supplement the caloric intake due to the fractured jaw.
According to Bassert and colleagues, pharyngostomy and esophagostomy tubes are
recommended for patients with disease or trauma to the nasal or oral cavity (Bassert et al., 2022).
A pharyngostomy tube is a small rubber tube that enters the skin through a small incision in the
side of the neck. The tube enters the esophagus through the pharynx, allowing food to bypass the
mouth and be delivered to the stomach (Williams, BSc, DVM, CCRP & Ward, DVM, 2020). An
esophagostomy tube is a small rubber tube that is surgically inserted into the esophagus through
the skin of the neck. This tube allows food to be delivered to the stomach, bypassing the mouth
and pharynx. This type of tube is not placed directly into the stomach (Williams, BSc, DVM,
CCRP & Ward, DVM, 2023). Some factors to consider for this patient include which feeding
method poses the lowest risk of complications, which is safer for jaw fractures, and which one
the patient would tolerate better. If the pharyngostomy tube is placed, the tube can irritate the
pharynx and larynx, causing gagging, coughing, or even partial laryngeal obstruction (Marks,
2001). The patient would be at increased risk of inhaling food or saliva into their lungs, which
can lead to aspiration pneumonia (Seim, DVM, DACVS, 2004). With the pharyngostomy tube,
, the patient is more likely to prematurely remove or displace the tube. This tube feeding can be
left in place for up to 4 weeks. If the esophagostomy tube is placed, the insertion site is in the
mid-cervical esophagus, well away from the sensitive pharynx and larynx. This tube is not
irritating to the throat. Some complications with the esophagostomy tube are site infections,
inflammation, vomiting, tube displacements, and tube clogging. This type of assisted feeding
tube can be left in place for up to 4 weeks. Based on these factors, the best choice for this patient
is the esophagostomy tube.
Mechanical complications can be seen with any assisted feeding device. According to
Wortinger, some mechanical complications include tube obstruction, premature removal of the
tube, as well as dislodgement from the site of placement. Wortinger also mentions that the most
common problem, tube obstruction, can be prevented in most cases by proper tube maintenance.
Food mustn’t be allowed to sit in the tube. The tube should be flushed with warm water after
every feeding and medication administration. All food and medications should be given
separately from each other to prevent possible drug-to-drug interactions as well as drug-to-food
interactions. If clogging is noticed in the feeding tube, either by hair, food, or medication, attach
a feeding syringe filled with warm water. Hold the feeding tube firmly and push the water with
force. If it is still clogged, try switching to Coca-Cola in the feeding tube and allow it to sit for a
few minutes; then, flush with warm water. Premature tube removal or dislodgement is best
prevented by choosing the most appropriate tube for the animal and using an Elizabethan collar
and wraps (Wortinger, BIS, LVT, VTS, 2010). The Elizabethan collar should always remain on
the patient. Owners can remove the collar if they are constantly supervising the patient. If the
patient becomes too rambunctious, they can be kenneled or kept in a small space.
Name:
Student #: 23408113
Date of Submission: October 30, 2025
, Veterinary technicians play a crucial role in educating clients on the proper care and well-
being of their beloved pets. Veterinary technicians will be responsible for educating clients on
their animal’s nutritional needs, assisting in reproduction, and supporting them through the end-
of-life stage.
When educating clients about the nutritional needs of their animal, there may be a time
when a patient will need assisted feeding. For example, a 12-year-old dog with advanced renal
failure was recently hit by a car and hospitalized. The dog has a jaw fracture and can’t eat. For
three days before the accident, the dog exhibited a decreased appetite and refused to eat. In this
scenario, the technician will need to help supplement the caloric intake due to the fractured jaw.
According to Bassert and colleagues, pharyngostomy and esophagostomy tubes are
recommended for patients with disease or trauma to the nasal or oral cavity (Bassert et al., 2022).
A pharyngostomy tube is a small rubber tube that enters the skin through a small incision in the
side of the neck. The tube enters the esophagus through the pharynx, allowing food to bypass the
mouth and be delivered to the stomach (Williams, BSc, DVM, CCRP & Ward, DVM, 2020). An
esophagostomy tube is a small rubber tube that is surgically inserted into the esophagus through
the skin of the neck. This tube allows food to be delivered to the stomach, bypassing the mouth
and pharynx. This type of tube is not placed directly into the stomach (Williams, BSc, DVM,
CCRP & Ward, DVM, 2023). Some factors to consider for this patient include which feeding
method poses the lowest risk of complications, which is safer for jaw fractures, and which one
the patient would tolerate better. If the pharyngostomy tube is placed, the tube can irritate the
pharynx and larynx, causing gagging, coughing, or even partial laryngeal obstruction (Marks,
2001). The patient would be at increased risk of inhaling food or saliva into their lungs, which
can lead to aspiration pneumonia (Seim, DVM, DACVS, 2004). With the pharyngostomy tube,
, the patient is more likely to prematurely remove or displace the tube. This tube feeding can be
left in place for up to 4 weeks. If the esophagostomy tube is placed, the insertion site is in the
mid-cervical esophagus, well away from the sensitive pharynx and larynx. This tube is not
irritating to the throat. Some complications with the esophagostomy tube are site infections,
inflammation, vomiting, tube displacements, and tube clogging. This type of assisted feeding
tube can be left in place for up to 4 weeks. Based on these factors, the best choice for this patient
is the esophagostomy tube.
Mechanical complications can be seen with any assisted feeding device. According to
Wortinger, some mechanical complications include tube obstruction, premature removal of the
tube, as well as dislodgement from the site of placement. Wortinger also mentions that the most
common problem, tube obstruction, can be prevented in most cases by proper tube maintenance.
Food mustn’t be allowed to sit in the tube. The tube should be flushed with warm water after
every feeding and medication administration. All food and medications should be given
separately from each other to prevent possible drug-to-drug interactions as well as drug-to-food
interactions. If clogging is noticed in the feeding tube, either by hair, food, or medication, attach
a feeding syringe filled with warm water. Hold the feeding tube firmly and push the water with
force. If it is still clogged, try switching to Coca-Cola in the feeding tube and allow it to sit for a
few minutes; then, flush with warm water. Premature tube removal or dislodgement is best
prevented by choosing the most appropriate tube for the animal and using an Elizabethan collar
and wraps (Wortinger, BIS, LVT, VTS, 2010). The Elizabethan collar should always remain on
the patient. Owners can remove the collar if they are constantly supervising the patient. If the
patient becomes too rambunctious, they can be kenneled or kept in a small space.
