Managing Diabetic Patients Scheduled for Ultrasound
For optimal imaging, we request that all ultrasound patients be fasted. However, we understand that diabetic patients require special consideration due to their need for food in conjunction with insulin administration.
Please note: Mobile Veterinary Imaging does not make case management decisions. Because the referring veterinarian has a more comprehensive understanding of the patient's medical history and ongoing care, we defer to their clinical judgement in determining the most appropriate fasting and insulin protocol for each diabetic patient.
Approaches we've seen used successfully include:
Each method carries its own risks and benefits depending on the patient's stability and the clinician's comfort level. We recommend the referring veterinarian make the decision based on what is safest for the individual patient.
If you have questions about how fasting may affect the quality of the ultrasound study, feel free to reach out to our team in advance.
Please note: Mobile Veterinary Imaging does not make case management decisions. Because the referring veterinarian has a more comprehensive understanding of the patient's medical history and ongoing care, we defer to their clinical judgement in determining the most appropriate fasting and insulin protocol for each diabetic patient.
Approaches we've seen used successfully include:
- Withholding food and insulin the morning of the scan
- Administering half of the normal meal and half of the insulin dose
- Proceeding with the full meal and full insulin dose
Each method carries its own risks and benefits depending on the patient's stability and the clinician's comfort level. We recommend the referring veterinarian make the decision based on what is safest for the individual patient.
If you have questions about how fasting may affect the quality of the ultrasound study, feel free to reach out to our team in advance.
