Stopping food before sedation

[Catfan5]

My cat is having a blood test tomorrow and because she is very stressy and difficult may need sedation. I've picked up all the food now but wondering if she could have something now or is it too late?

[Alice]

I think you could safely leave her food down till midnight.

[Kay]

I've never been told to withdraw food before a blod test - though in the event sedation wasn't needed

My Trigger though was petrified by the noise the shaver made so I always asked for his fur to be cut by scissors and I know this has made a difference with other cats, so you might want to do the same

[Catfan5]

Thanks for your replies. I had a feeling it would be alright til around 11-12 but wanted to ask here. Bailey is a lovely cat but doesn't like being handled and can give a nasty bite when stressed. She needs this blood test though as she's been on steroids for six months for chronic bronchitis which has damaged her lungs.

[Crewella]

Yep, I always pick all food up at midnight if any of them have a 'procedure' the next day.

[MarkB]

I doubt that if a cat needed sedation for a blood test, that it would be a general anaesthetic, more a light sedation? I really don't get why they would give unnecessary drugs at all. Surely a nurse and a vet could restrain a cat for long enough to draw some blood?

Having said that, they always tell people to withdraw food after 6pm. This is totally outdated advice. Drugs have improved over the years, but the advice has stayed the same. I always feed them up until at least midnight if they are having a GA the next day

[Catfan5]

On one occasion Bailey came out of the specialist vet with several shaved patches on her neck and legs where they had tried to get blood with no success! I don't like the idea of her having to be sedated for a simple blood test but is hopefully less stressful for her. Even our usual vets can't get a sample She is a big strong cat who will growl, struggle and possibly bite! That's her in my avatar, looks like butter wouldn't melt..