HELP...How do I get my cat in the basket for the vets on my own , it took 3 of us thi

calicocat

Any sneaky ways to do this much appreciated, I need to take her back on friday and no-one to help.

I have done (in the past) head first, bum first,top load,front load, towel over head,treats at back of basket,when she's asleep,when she's in a good mood.........it's a nightmare everytime , even the vet was shocked today. Then she sticks her arms out and clings onto carpet so you can't lift box , and does the same on car seat or carpet so you have trouble getting out of the car.

To be honest I'm wondering whether to just get a house visit instead.

She has a HUGE abscess on bottom of tail so would have to be careful of that .

Thanks in advance for any ideas as I can't reply straight away as it takes my mobile ages to load this site for some reason.

krlyr

Longterm I'd perhaps try to make positive associations with the carrier, so leaving it down all the time, feeding her all her meals in there etc. but for Friday - just saw this method that pops the carrier up on its end, simple but perhaps effective?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIV1Kpd9-Y0

Otherwise there's tons of other videos on Youtube that may help!

calicocat

Thanks,that's what the vet had to do to get her back in today....but that wa two of us.

I did the 'pleasant association' with the basket to no avail years ago when she was a kitten for weeks. She is rescue and was kept with mother and 3 brothers in a tiny cage for a week...I'm assuming this OTT reaction stems from this as I have never had one as bad as this...she's a maniac about it.

no1catman

Yes, been there got the T shirt!
Vet visits were a pain, or the cattery.
What do you use a pet carrier, carboard box carrier?

Sometimes a cat's natural interest in a box, can con them into getting into it, and then be able to secure the top.

Otherwise, while I apprecioate the sensitive area, if you can pick it up as you would normally - with one hand under the back legs, try to ensure you have control of the back legs - i.e. not able to twist around - either thrust forwards into a pet carrier, or drop down into a box - being very quip to secure the lid.

If you are able to lure the cat inside with a piece of string, or grass, so much the better!

Good luck.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Unless she's the size of a lynx....box ready, on end.

Swoop down on mog, scruff, step and dump into box with right hand. 1 - 2 - 3.

Left hand pushes her down if she does the starfish pattern, lid on and fastened.

Cat starts wailing, you step back, put coat on. Take handle, lift and place in car. Cat cannot escape, cat can still breathe with the box on its end, cat cannot grab hold of car seat or lap with pointy bits.

Substitute shopping trolley for car if travelling on foot.

Ignore wailing sound as much as possible. Your voice is not going to make her day any better.


Go to vet, slowly lower box to horizontal position.

Get to vet table - find cat is suddenly very keen to stay in the previously hated Box of Doom.


Repeat for return.




But, as I've said on previous threads, I'm evil.



BTW, an abscess? Ewwww. They're gross.

calicocat

It's a plastic carrier , she's dam quick and can usually get out as you put her in.....6 goes this morning with three people. I wouldn't dare use a cardboard box,she would just head-butt or scratch her way out. If it wasn't so distressing for me and her I would think it funny. We had to get a ruler this morning to put under her claws that were clinging to the car seat.

The vet nurse was petrified...lol

gettingready

Feel for you OP - no advice.

I am quite lucky with my 4 as they all go inside the carriers as soon as those are on the floor....

calicocat

Nice on paper Jojo.....not so easy in reality......with this one , and I don't mess about being all nicey-nicey, I do go in for the catch but this one is like some rotating cat with 72 legs on speed.

Christ the home visit is looking better by the minute...I may have to see how much that will cost.

no1catman

I remember going on holiday once with a blood line down my nose from waywood claws!
And, Vet nurses comments - 'your cat doesn't like us, she's a little spitfire'.
Such are memories.

calicocat

When I rang this morning and said I wanted 2 appointments in case couldn't catch her for 1st, the vet nurse said there were no appointments today. I called in later to ask about olive oil in food ( as she won't poo at the moment) to hear her offering appointments to other people...she's obviously scared of cats full stop. So I said you have an appointment this morning ( she didn't recognise my voice) and the reply was yes......she went pale when I said who I was and has spoken to her earlier. I told her she didn't have to come in. My cat hasn't been to the vet for 10 years so it's not mine she's scared of as she's never met it.......and won't.

At thought it was funny , but later thought what if that had been an emergency..she didn't know what was wrong. Anyhow never mind , it got done in the end....without to much damage to humans.

Fire_Fox

How are her paws getting out of the carrier, what kind do you have? How large is the opening and the carrier itself? Does your vet do home visits? Will they prescribe a light sedative you can give in food? Does Feliway AND Zylkene make any difference? Are you trimming her claws regularly?