Very similar to how blood is drawn in humans, we do actually take a needle and get a sample directly from their veins in one of their four legs. Very commonly, this gives us the sample that we need, and it's very non-invasive for most of our canine patients.

Whether follow-up lab work is needed depends on the initial findings. If annual lab work results are normal, retesting at the next annual visit is sufficient. If abnormalities are found, it might be necessary to recheck them to monitor any ongoing disease process. Lab work might be repeated in a few weeks or months to track disease progression and adjust treatment methods accordingly.

Healthy adult cats may need lab work to evaluate overall organ function or to look for evidence of illness. Cats are very stoic animals and it can be difficult to detect diseases early on if they're not showing outward signs of illness. By conducting annual lab work, it's possible to detect hidden diseases that may not be showing symptoms yet.

Kittens might need lab work for various reasons. One common reason is when kittens are rescued or found on the street and there's concern about their feline leukemia and feline AIDS status. These diseases are common and can impact your cat's long-term health. If the kitten shows signs of illness, lab work is done to determine the cause.

The safety of the cat is ensured by having multiple people available to help and experienced veterinary staff who know how to gently and safely restrain the animals. This not only ensures the safety of the cats, but also protects the staff. Well-trained staff helps prevent any accidents during blood draws or lab work.

The process is no more painful than a blood draw at your doctor's visit. A needle is inserted into the vessel from the outside, similar to human medicine procedures. Cats may feel a little pinch, but the discomfort disappears once the needle is removed.

There are different methods to draw blood from a cat. Typically, the cat is gently restrained on its side to access one of the peripheral blood vessels, similar to how blood is drawn in human medicine. In some cases, blood may need to be drawn from other areas like the jugular, but this is not more painful or uncomfortable than routine blood draws.

It depends on the cat's clinical picture. Depending on the cat's condition, we might prioritize certain lab tests or add additional ones. For instance, if we suspect hyperthyroidism, we'll add a test to check the cat's thyroid levels.

The most accurate lab tests depend on what we're specifically looking for. The general minimum database, including a CBC, a chemistry panel, and a urinalysis, is a good starting point. Depending on the findings, we might conduct more specific tests or diagnostic imaging such as an ultrasound or a radiograph.

Common lab tests include a complete blood count (CBC) that examines white and red blood cell levels, a chemistry panel that evaluates liver, kidney, and overall organ function, electrolytes, and blood sugar, and a urinalysis to check for any inappropriate proteins or difficulty concentrating urine.