Key Points
- The management of ill or anorectic chelonians often requires oral medications and tube feeding in order to deliver effective treatment, maintain energy balance, boost nutritional status and replace fluid losses.
- It can be extremely difficult to administer oral medications to chelonians. The repeated use of rigid feeding tubes can result in damage to the oropharynx and esophagus, as well as being highly stressful for debilitated patients.
- Surgical placement of an esophagostomy tube is an effective tool in the treatment and rehabilitation of chelonians suffering from anorexia and chronic illness, allowing veterinary staff and owners alike the ability to administer oral medications and liquid diets with minimal intervention.
- Esophagostomy tubes can remain in place until the animal resumes feeding on its own accord or no longer needs oral medications.
The use of esophagostomy tubes (E-tubes) allows administration of oral medications and critical care nutrition to turtles and tortoises while minimizing stress and the risk of esophageal trauma associated with repeated rigid gavage tube feeding. Esophagostomy tubes are very well tolerated in chelonians and the patient can even eat normally with the tube in place. Patients can be medicated and fed on an outpatient basis, and once fully recovered, the E-tube is easily removed in the veterinary clinic . . .
Pour les vétérinaires. Par les vétérinaires.
Le site Lafervet.com est conçu pour une utilisation par les vétérinaires. Il est ouvert aux vétérinaires diplômés, aux techniciens vétérinaires diplômés, aux animaliers et aux étudiants dans ces domaines.
Créer un compte pour accéder à des articles et des ressources du site.
L'inscription est gratuite.
Para Profesionales Veterinarios. Por Profesionales Veterinarios.
El sitio Lafervet.com es para uso de los profesionales veterinarios. Está abierto a los veterinarios licenciados, técnicos veterinarios licenciados, rehabilitadores licenciados y estudiantes en estos campos.
Cree una cuenta para acceder a los artículos y recursos del sitio.
La registro es gratis.
Already a LafeberVet Member?
Please Login