Placement of a PEG-J tube is an effective, noninvasive technique for providing enteral nutritional support of healthy dogs and cats. Bolus-feeding techniques via PEG-J tubes maintain normal nutritional status in healthy dogs and cats. This procedure for jejunostomy feeding may be easily adapted for use in clinical practice outside of an intensive care facility.

Background: Pancreatitis, hepatobiliary disease, and proximal gastrointestinal tract disorders are clinical situations where delivery of nutrients via jejunostomy tube is preferable to a feeding gastrostomy. A thorough description of the percutaneous endoscopic gastrojejunostomy (PEG-J) technique and practical guidelines for its use in small animals have not been reported.Hypothesis: That a simple technique of PEG-J tube placement in humans would be useful and safe in healthy dogs and cats. Animals: Twelve healthy dogs and 5 healthy cats were included in the study. Materials and Methods: Commercially prepared PEG-J tubes were modified for use in animals and positioned in the small intestine by endoscopic guidance. Eight dogs and 5 cats were bolus fed enteral diets for 14 days. Complications associated with the use of the PEG-J tube and responses to bolus feedings were assessed.Results: Jejunostomy tubes were placed distal to the caudal duodenal flexure in all dogs and cats. Complications associated with PEG-J tubes occurred in 5/12 dogs and 4/5 cats and included J-tube removal, local pain/inflammation, retrograde tube migration, and diarrhea. Bolus feeding (daily maintenance energy requirement [MER] divided q8h) through the jejunostomy catheter was well tolerated, maintained normal body weight, and was not associated with adverse gastrointestinal signs.Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Placement of a PEG-J tube is an effective, noninvasive technique for providing enteral nutritional support of healthy dogs and cats. Bolus-feeding techniques via PEG-J tubes maintain normal nutritional status in healthy dogs and cats. This procedure for jejunostomy feeding may be easily adapted for use in clinical practice outside of an intensive care facility.