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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

How to get injured cat into carrier

27 replies

SteelyPip · 27/09/2017 14:21

Please help, I'm not thinking straight at the moment because I'm upset. My cat just growled when I touched her and struggled off the sofa and walked painfully across the room. She can' t get upstairs and her right side looks odd and indented. She's in the utility for the moment curled up and I have an appointment for 3.30 to take her into the vets. (They cannot see her earlier.) There's no blood I can see or wound - although I haven't been able to get a close look.

She's not an easy cat. She was a rescue who is extremely nervous and only likes engaging on her own terms. She really doesn't like being picked up and even when she's well and I've popped her in her carrier for routine things, she is so difficult to actually get in.

I feel sick in case she has broken ribs or something similar and I have to be forceful to get her in. Realistically I've got one chance and then if I don't get her in she'll hide. I'm thinking of trying to wrap a towel around her, but honestly if you've got any tips please help. It makes everything worse of course that I'm so stressed atm.

Thanks

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 27/09/2017 14:22

Open carrier and place over cat?
Or get a top opening one and lift and lower her in?
Borrow a dog crate? Bigger and easier to load her into.
Hope she's ok.

scurryfunge · 27/09/2017 14:23

Turn the carrier so the opening is uppermost and gently lower her in.

Wolfiefan · 27/09/2017 14:25

Also worth shutting cat in a small room without lots of hiding places in case she escapes.

swapsicles · 27/09/2017 14:26

Does she like the carrier apart from the vets?
I know one of mine happily sits in it if I place the carrier on the floor, might be worth just placing it on the floor and letting her get on with it.
Other than that, options are putting her in with the box upright/ wrapping her in a towel and popping her in there quickly.
Ideally the more hands the better, is there anyone who could help?

Winteriscomingneedmorewood · 27/09/2017 14:26

Throw a towel over her first.

SunSeaAndSangria · 27/09/2017 14:32

Any chance you can get your hands on a puppy crate? I find them a lot less stressful to get the cat into it, I use one instead of a cat carrier now. I got a material on which folds down from The Range. I hope your cat will be OK Flowers

Original poster
SteelyPip · 27/09/2017 14:40

Hi thank you everyone :)

She hates the carrier and will often wee or soil herself when in it. I've found a plastic toy box which I've padded with blankets and a cushion. I think if I can get her in it will be better than a carrier. It has a lid so I'm just going to punch some air holes in now.

I don't have anyone here to help no, so I really appreciate the hand hold. A puppy crate would be ideal, but I don't know of anyone who's got one. I will phone vets actually and see if they've got one I could borrow.

OP posts:
alwaysthepessimist · 27/09/2017 14:45

How far away is your vets? My cat (sadly passed away now) was very like this so we took to going to the vets and they gave us the cardboard carriers and some liners they use in their cages so that when she did mess they just took her straight off me, got rid of the basket and linings and cleaned her up for me - much less stressful than a dirty carrier every time

Hope the cat is ok op Flowers

Vinorosso74 · 27/09/2017 15:02

I hope your poor cat is ok. Yes call your vets to see if they have anything you can borrow, I know ours have some spare.

Briette · 27/09/2017 15:27

I have a fabric carrier (meant for aircraft, I think) and it's amazing. My bossy rescue cat goes into it herself and gets comfy without the torture of trying to stuff her inside, and it opens in multiple directions. It's also easier to wash than the solid kind when accidents happen (though less, erm, watertight, so if it doesn't settle your girl like it does mine I guess that might be a disadvantage).

Not much help for now but perhaps useful for the future. I hope you managed to get her boxed up and she's ok Flowers

ScrabbleFiend · 27/09/2017 15:30

Bath towel, throw over cat, scoop cat and towel into basket/box. For future I'd get a top opening carrier, much easier to get them in. Good luck at vets.

thecatneuterer · 27/09/2017 15:49

Cardboard carriers are a TERRIBLE idea. Don't listen to that bit of advice. A large number of cats that people decided to bring to us in cardboard carriers have been lost or even killed on the road when they managed to break out of them. This is even more likely if the cardboard becomes a bit soggy. We always quiz people when they make appointments to make sure they won't be using cardboard carriers, but some still do, and it often doesn't end well.

So to the problem in hand. What you really need is a top opening carrier or crush cage. Your vet might be able to lend one to you. And it was a very good idea to entice her into a room without hiding places before attempting it. Bathroom? And before attempting it make sure all escape routes, such as windows are firmly closed.

If you go for the normal type of carrier then position it with it's back end against a wall. Hold the cat very, very firmly by the scruff, support the cat's back end and introduce into the carrier BACKWARDS.

Good luck.

thecatneuterer · 27/09/2017 15:52

I've just realised the cat should already have been at the vet by the time I posted. Well I hope it went ok and that might be useful advice for the future.

What did the vet say OP?

Henrythehoover · 27/09/2017 15:53

Hope you got her there ok and she is alright x

Weedsnseeds1 · 27/09/2017 17:34

Top carriers are easier I find. The toy box sounded a good idea. Did it work and how is the cat?

Original poster
SteelyPip · 27/09/2017 18:52

Thanks again everyone for all of your support, ideas and tips Flowers

Short answer - she's ok and resting now.

Long answer - after all of my stress, she was quite easy to handle. I managed to roll a towel around her and gently (but bloody quickly I'll tell you) put her in the box. It was see through plastic, so she could see me and just sat down really. There was a hairy moment when she managed to get her nose out - and yes she did poo - but all in all I managed.

She has somehow injured her back - no wounds, possibly a fall? Being glanced by a car? The vet palpated her tummy and she purred Grin and of course she was quite able to walk once there and exhibited very little distress until the vet felt her back. Temperature is fine and she was alert. The vet gave her a pain killing anti inflammatory jab and I have to keep her inside and quiet.

School were fab and kept DS and fed him until I could get there at 5. Only been back home for half an hour and now need to do bath and bed. Will post a picture of Miss (creant) Martha shortly.

You really helped me earlier, thank you.

OP posts:
SunSeaAndSangria · 27/09/2017 19:03

Good to hear she's OK Smile

Original poster
SteelyPip · 27/09/2017 19:19

Martha is on the left. Monty is the dozing flump.

(Taken pre-injury of course. I'm letting her rest)

How to get injured cat into carrier
OP posts:
SunSeaAndSangria · 27/09/2017 19:28

Ahhh, gorgeous 😻😻

Sundressandsandals · 27/09/2017 21:47

What beauties. So glad she's okay.

Vinorosso74 · 27/09/2017 21:56

Gorgeous cats. Glad to hear she's doing ok, hopefully she improves overnight.

Wolfiefan · 28/09/2017 07:24

Good news. Hoping she feels better soon.

BrokeAndBad · 28/09/2017 07:50

Both lovely looking cats, glad she's on the mend!! Well done!! They are such a bloody worry!

Original poster
SteelyPip · 28/09/2017 11:21

Thanks again everyone!

She is much better today, in fact almost back to normal. Blimmin' cats, so much worry.

Cake and Brew to all of you fab vipers!

OP posts:
DoraChance · 28/09/2017 11:25

Glad she’s ok. I have a very nervous cat and I’ve found spraying Feliway in the car and cat carrier before we go really calms her down. Just thought I’d mention in case she needs to go again at any point.