Car travel advice

[jaspercat2002]

I'm taking my nearly 16 year old cat for radioiodine treatment for her hyperthyroidism on Monday. We've opted for a centre that it quite a bit further away from us due to the fact that she can come home (under very controlled conditions) after about 5-7 days rather than the normal 3/4 weeks. I don't think she would cope being away from home for so long but want to make the car journey as easy as possible for her. She did a couple of longer journeys when she was ALOT younger but only local vet trips since.

I have left her carrier out for the last week or so, and luckily she has taken to sleeping in it so hopefully it will smell familiar. I also have some feliway spray. What I was wondering was should I put the carrier in the boot or the back seat? Which is safer for her?

Also sometimes when I take her to the vet she will wee in her carrier (from the stress I think). If she does this will it work for me to stop the car, lock us in and let her out inside the car while I replace blankets etc and then get her back in the carrier? The journey is about 3 hours so I don't want her to have to sit on wet bedding.

Thanks for any advice.

Sorry your cat isn't well.

God no. Don't let her out once she's in there. Put puppy training pads in the bottom of the carrier which should keep her reasonably comfortable.

She would probably be better off in the boot, but I would remove the parcel shelf. Or you could put her in the back seat but make sure that the carrier is secured somehow - either with a seat belt or wedged against a very pushed back passenger seat.

Great idea about puppy pads - will go and get some today. We had one of those rare cats when I was growing up that used to love car travel and would roam the car, sitting on our knees and looking out the window so I think I probably have a skewed view of what would and wouldn't work!

I will be so relieved when this is done and dusted and she is back home with us.

Oh Yes - keep her in her carrier. I made the mistake of letting Twoago roam free once and well remember the highjinks when he stood on the electric window knob at the M1/M6 interchange. They've been in carriers for the whole journey ever since.

Seniorboy's last really big journey was at 16 years old and was a lot longer and more complicated than your girl faces. It wasn't his most favourite time but he managed. She should be fine.

Best of luck anyway.

Cheap still buy incontience pads, which is what puppy pads are just rebranded at a higher price. Get some Feliway spray use it in the car and carrier 15mins prior to cat getting in to reduce her stress levels.
The referral centre will be used to wet carriers arriving it is very normal.
Hope it all goes well.

I've just remembered some left over bed mats from when the children were younger in the cupboard so will use one of those.

The vet has just rung to say pre-treatment tests are showing some signs of possible kidney problems that may become more evident after the hyperthyroidism is resolved They are still going to proceed though as it's still the best option for her at the moment.

Lots of cuddles for her today as it will be a while until she can have much attention.

Good luck. My girl was 16 when she had the radioiodine treatment and she's now a happy healthy 19 year old. We had a long journey too. I put her carrier on the front passenger seat next to me, secured by the seat belt, and we chatted to each other throughout the journey.

Thank you TamzinGrey - it's really good to hear a positive story. I do worry about putting her through all this at her age but would love to have a few more years with her.

The journey was ok - she wasn't very happy but we made it. The centre staff were lovely and went through all the things I thought would make her more comfortable and relaxed. And I only cried a little bit!

Have just heard she has had the treatment and seems to be settling in OK. Roll on next Monday when I can go and pick her up.