VIMS
Veterinary Internal Medicine Specialist
Referral service for cats & dogs
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Diplomate of ACVIM
American boarded specialist
How should I prepare my client & patient
The client:
The appointment will usually take around 2-3 hours if blood tests and ultrasound needs to be done. Most of the time the animal stays shortly at the the clinic to allow a step by step work up.
Please discuss with them that most ultrasound findings likely require a review by the specialists as this is operator dependent and the specialist is trained in assessing the findings in more detail to plan the next step.
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The patient:
Fasting: the client should withhold food & snacks to the pet for 12 hours. Water can be given. The owner can bring a portion of their pet's food with them to the clinic.
Contraindications for fasting a pet:
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Very young pets or a toy breed should not fast to long
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Patients requiring regular medications: check if it can be postponed, or can be given on an empty stomach. If in doubt, apply it as usual.
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Diabetic patients do not fast.