Is it really necessary to do blood test on kittens before spaying

[AnnieLu]

Hi,

I have two kittens that's six months old need to be spayed but the vet I usually go is too pricy for spaying. I find a clinic that only do spay or neuter. It's more affordable for me but it doesn't include blood test.

Is it necessary to do blood test for kittens before spaying?

 

[Azazel]

Yes, your kittens will be undergoing anaesthesia and the vet needs to ensure that they don't have any health concerns that could put them at risk. It would irresponsible for a vet to agree to conduct surgery without a blood test first, in my opinion.

 

[banana queen]

None of my cats had blood tests before spaying. Ive never heard of it as a routine thing on cats that dont have existing health concerns.

 

[FeebysOwner]

Hi. I know if it were me, I would want the blood testing done just to rule out anything that might not be outwardly obvious. Maybe this article will help?
Bloodwork for Your Cat: Why it's Important and What it Means - The Conscious Cat

 

[denice]

As you can see there are varying opinions about this. The vet that I was taking mine to when they were still kittens offered it as an option. I got it done because at that time the Columbus zoo had just lost their tiger. Things seemed off with him and of course anesthetic is needed to examine a large wild cat. He didn't survive. Blood work should always be done before anesthetic with an older cat, with a kitten it is truly optional.

 

[Uncled]

I had my two neutered at a low cost clinic, no blood work needed for cats under 7 years old, my two were 5 months at the time

 

[stephanietx]

I would discuss the pros/cons with your vet as well as your concerns. Personally for a spay, I wouldn't do it.

 

[theyremine]

Our rescue routinely has spay and neuter done on kittens without blood work. And we use a couple of different vets.

 

[She's a witch]

Most probably everything will be fine without blood test, but personally I wouldn’t forgive myself if something went wrong because I decided not to do their bloodwork.

 

[AnnieLu]

But besides whether doing blood test, why the price of doing spay or neuter range widely among different clinics?
Is it really better if spay at "not so affordable" clinics ?

 

[kittyluv387]

But besides whether doing blood test, why the price of doing spay or neuter range widely among different clinics?
Is it really better if spay at "not so affordable" clinics ?

Well it could be difference between $50 or $500.

 

[Margret]

Low cost spay/neuter clinics are generally just fine. If necessary, you can have the blood tests done elsewhere.

Margret

 

[molly92]

This article outlines the differences. While there are more safeguards at your personal vet, low cost spay and neuter places are much more experienced and quicker, which is safer when it comes to anesthesia. I'd probably take my personal pets to my vet, but most shelter cats go to the low cost clinics.

 

[Tik cat's mum]

I didn't have blood test when my boy was done. But he was done at a low cost vet. They just listened to his heart and gave him a basic check said he was healthy.

 

[Neko-chan's mama]

But besides whether doing blood test, why the price of doing spay or neuter range widely among different clinics?
Is it really better if spay at "not so affordable" clinics ?

I think the difference in cost is when you go to a vet in private practice, they've got overhead. Rent or property taxes, water, electric, and equipment. Add to that they have to pay any vet techs and receptionist. They also need to make a profit so they can live, and the cost of living varies greatly by region.

 

[fionasmom]

If I have been doing a lot of ferals, I sometimes skip the blood test to save money. But these cats are invariably healthy kittens of about 4 to 6 months...at least healthy in appearance. I would not skip any blood work on my own animals though.