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How to prepare my anxious cat for blood work without anesthesia?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Male | neutered | 5 years and 5 months old | 10 lbs

My cat needs reverse anesthesia to have blood work done, is there any way to avoid that

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM

Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident

Published on March 27th, 2018

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Possibly. I have had really good success using gabapentin the night before and the morning of the appointment. May be you can discuss this with your veterinarian. Good luck!

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    Normally, it is not necessary to anesthesize a cat to take blood for blood work unless the cat gets extremely upset or bites and scratches when being handled. If your vet is not able to handle your cat, then you may want to find out why and even get a second opinion, ie take Gepeto to a vet that only treats cats. If Gepeto gets extremely stressed when blood is taken, then it may be safer for him to get sedated/anesthesized, as it will minimize the stress and he will not get so upset. This sedation can often be reversed quickly, so he can go home soon afterwards.

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    Answered By Jenny, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    You can talk to your vet about given an anxiety medicine or tranquilizer at home such as gabapentin or acepromazine before going to see if that calms him enough to have his exam and blood work done. If he is too anxious still, then using stronger medicines to sedate/anesthetize him is the only option

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