I have a large cat. 18 lbs. He isn't fat just a big boy. He is 11 years old.

When he was younger he was ok with going to the vet but as they have been rough with him he refuses. The only way I have been able to get him to the vet is to buy a large plastic bin and put holes in it... when he gets to the vet there is no way to get him out. (because the exit and entrance is from the top)

I mean he flights like a wild animal. And like an 18 lb wild animal... he hurts himself and others.

We have hit on putting him out however, it is extremely hard to put him in the glass box of my vet with the plastic box. He has been hurt more than once in the struggle.

I am sooo frustrated. I bought a stroller and was going to try to teach him to go out in the stroller and go on trips with me but he is no dummy and won't go near it. Even if he did, it is very cheap and I am not sure it will hold him.

Any advice?

[benzenering]

I'm not sure...have you tried covering him with a towel to keep him from scratching? Cats get traumatized so easily. I hope you can find a solution.

Originally Posted by benzenering

I'm not sure...have you tried covering him with a towel to keep him from scratching? Cats get traumatized so easily. I hope you can find a solution.

He is worse with a towel. I have had luck covering his eyes with my hand but if he moves his head and sees the carrier... all bets are off. Plus he is hard to hold and lift.

I wish there was a large cat carrier that had BOTH a top door (that was wide enough to get him in) and a front door. But I cannot find one.

[cakeladie]

Our senior cat sunny is 17 lbs and he is 16. years old and hates going to the vet. He hates leaving the house. The carrier that we have the whole top comes off and it makes it very easy for the vet to see him and get to him regardless if he's happy about it or not. You might look for a carrier like that

[lizardlady]

I have a couple that refuse to come out of the carrier at the vet's. It's like they glue themselves to the inside of the carrier.I have one like Cake mentioned. The top can be released by undoing the four corners. My vet is so good. She doesn't force the cat to come out of the carrier until it wants to. We take the top off and she examines them in the carrier. Maybe one of those would work for you.

Another suggestion - how about leaving the carrier on the floor at your house with some of your cat's favorite treats inside? He can go in grab a treat and run off if he wants. Eventually he'll come to associate the carrier with goodies instead of the vet.

[Unrigged64072835]

We have to sedate our cats before we take them to the vet. I don't remember what the med is, but ½ tab ground in wet food works for one of them. The other we have to force it into her mouth.

Originally Posted by Fharraige

We have to sedate our cats before we take them to the vet. I don't remember what the med is, but ½ tab ground in wet food works for one of them. The other we have to force it into her mouth.

I tried a drug Gabitan (sp) but it didn't work at all. In fact it made things a zillion times worse because we couldn't but the cat out because he did have some and had food.

The drug didn't work and I am not sure but possible my cat was just too big for the dose.

[Nammu]

I'm am so thankful my guy loves vets. He's a big guy too and my back wouldn't take it. He's a rescue cat and associates vets with safety. Have you asked your vet about benzos? The vets where I volunteered used it to calm the cats for treatments. It's usually weight dosed.

[cakeladie]

Liz I lever thought to bring the carrier in the house and put treats in it. I might try it since both sunny and McGee need to go and neither,like the carrier.

[googley]

It can be expensive but there are some vets who will come to your house to provide treatment. I don't know if they have it in your area or if you could afford it, but maybe check that out.

[lizardlady]

Excellent idea googley!

Originally Posted by googley

It can be expensive but there are some vets who will come to your house to provide treatment. I don't know if they have it in your area or if you could afford it, but maybe check that out.

Nope. Cat hides and fights like a banshee. Tired to get blood out of him at home and with two vets AND me leaving the apartment and going down two flights of stairs I could hear his screams. TWO FLOORS DOWN.

So it was useless.

[Woodchuck]

There are a few 2-door pet carriers that say they can handle 20 lbs. If you leave the carrier out (without the front door on) and feed/treat the cats in it, they may get used to it a little bit more. I'm guessing it's not possible to get your cat into something like a pillowcase where you could tie it shut and that could be put into the sedation box at the vet's. Are they able to "squish" him down in his carrier and give him an injection of sedative into his muscle? That might be less stressful than trying to gas him down.

https://www.chewy.com/petmate-two-do...w&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://www.cat-in-the-bag.com/

http://www.thepurrcompany.com/shoppi...php?prodnum=24

Nope... I tried the chewy one and after the first trip.. he would never go back in it. I just don't think the bag would hold him. The third one I don't know how I could hold it.

I am trying this. https://www.petsolutions.com/C/Cat-C...t-Carrier.aspx

So I got the carrier and he went in. I immediately scooped him up and took him to the car for a ride. It went pretty well. He only hissed once and we came home. But now he is afraid to go into the carrier. Thoughts? I was considering feeding him in there exclusively but it terms of luring him in there on vet day -- I would wonder how to get the food out?

My plan is to take him out in the carrier as often as possible.

I was also hoping to actually take him someplace that wasn't the vets so he wouldn't be as scared but I don't know where i can bring him. That is for a little while from now.