What Is A Nasogastric (NG) Tube?

NG tubes, or nasogastric tubes, are used for many things in veterinary medicine.

These long, flexible tubes are placed through the nose and reach all the way down into the stomach. Our veterinary professionals place these tubes to help give medications, nutritional support, or to remove unwanted fluid or gas in the stomach. These tubes are meant to be used short term to provide our patients with whichever form of support they need to heal. 

These long tubes can be a bit uncomfortable at first but once placed our patients usually get used to the feeling. A topical anesthetic drop is placed into the nasal passages to help with any discomfort, and either sedation or anesthesia is used when passing the tube from the nose to the stomach. Our technicians will monitor the pet under sedation/anesthesia, check the tube is placed correctly with x-rays, and secure the tube to the outside of the nose to the cheek with sutures. Lastly, an e-collar (cone of shame) is placed to ensure the tube stays in place for its intended purpose. 

They give short term support, meaning they can be placed and maintained for a few days up to a couple of weeks in really sick pets.