Table 5.

Recommended preanesthetic testing based on feline life stages^5,13–17

Diagnostic test	Neonatal/pediatric and junior Adult/prime (0 months–2 years) (3–6 years)		Mature (7–10 years)	Senior/geriatric (>10 years)
Chemistry screen As a minimum include: BUN, creatinine, ALP, ALT, TP, glucose, albumin, globulin, phosphorus, K+, Na+, Ca2+	±	±	+	+
Complete blood count Hematocrit, RBCs, WBCs, differential count, cytology, platelets	±	±	+	+
Urinalysis Specific gravity, sediment, glucose, ketones, bilirubin, protein	±	±	+	+
Retroviral testing	+	±	±	±
T4		±	±	+
Blood pressure (NIBP)		±	±	+
ECG*		±	±	±
Thoracic radiography * †		±	±	+
NT-proBNP *		±	±	±

ALP = alkaline phosphatase; ALT = alanine aminotransferase; BUN = blood urea nitrogen; CBC = complete blood count;

ECG = electrocardiography; NIBP = non-invasive blood pressure; NT-proBNP = N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide; RBCs = red blood cells; T4 = thyroxine; TP = total protein; WBCs = white blood cells

^*Specific tests indicated based on physical examination findings and signalment

^†In some jurisdictions, regulations do not allow personnel to hold animals for radiography; therefore, the pros and cons of sedation or anesthesia must be weighed against the benefits of obtaining images