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.

Lab tests in cats are very effective, particularly because cats don't often show obvious signs of illness. This is why routine lab work is so crucial for early disease detection.

Unfortunately, there's no single test for cancer. However, certain indicators on blood work might suggest the possibility of cancer. As always, we compare our findings with the patient's baseline lab tests, clinical signs, and physical exam results.

Blood work can sometimes provide a definitive diagnosis. However, it often serves to guide us toward the problem area and helps inform subsequent diagnostic tests until we find an answer.