Why should cats be fasted prior certain procedures?

Before ultrasound examinations of the abdominal cavity and especially the guts, the intestines must be emptied of digested food, as digested food and the associated gas accumulation interfere with the visibility of the ultrasound examination and make the examination difficult.

The need for fasting in connection with blood tests is based on the fact that there is, for example, a lot of fat absorbed from food in the blood that interferes with certain blood tests.

Sedatives can cause nausea, vomiting and the rise of digested food into the esophagus, which can cause the cat to choke on vomit during anesthesia. Therefore, it is important to fast before anesthesia so that the stomach is empty and the above-mentioned risks are reduced.

Differences between procedures

• Abdominal ultrasound, intestinal ultrasound: 8-10h fasting, water is available freely
  • Gallbladder ultrasound: 6-8h fasting, water is available freely
• Heart ultrasound: no need for fasting
• Blood tests:
  • Initially 6-8h fasting, water is available freely
  • Some special blood tests may require a different fasting length and sometimes fasting is not necessary at all, this will be communicated separately as needed
• Anesthesia or sedative procedure (e.g. surgeries, dental treatments)
  • Healthy, adult cat: 6-8h fasting, water is available freely
  • 3-5 month old kitten: 4-5h fasting, water is available freely
  • Diabetic cat: 4h fasting, half a meal of wet food before starting the fast, water is available freely

Many medications can be given normally, with a small treat if necessary, without disrupting the fast. If your cat is on continuous oral medication or is taking, for example, anti-anxiety medication before a vet visit, please mention this when booking your appointment so that the clinic can provide instructions on how to handle the medication on the morning of the procedure.