dealing with hurt and angry cat

[dementedma]

we have a large male rescue cat, generally a big softy but can bite from time to time, often for seemingly no reason. he is ok at the Vet on the whole but hates being boxed.
He has come in today with what looks like a nasty bite in his arm/leg pit, blood on his fur. I can't get a look at it as he is hissing and growling. Managed to jump down off the sofa but walked very painfully and slowly into bedroom where he is hiding under the bed. He took a little chicken from my hand and is breathing normally but clearly in pain and lots of vocal growling and tail wagging.
As i said, he is a BIG cat - everyone comments on how huge he is - and very strong.
if he needs the Vet the tomorrow how the heck am i going to box him? he won't let me touch him, let alone lift him up. Any tips?

My cat can be aggressive when he doesn't want to be touched and is also very large. He also fights a lot so often has abcesses and wounds.
I've found the best way to box him is to wear thick gloves and a heavy coat and use a big thick bath towel to throw over him and just grab him tight. Pets at home have cardboard cat boxes that open wide at the top so I shove him in and get somebody to shut the top. It's not pretty but it works. The cardboard box is so much easier than the front opening one that we had, I just carry it from the bottom so his weight doesn't make him fall through it. I've also started to stop and just watch for a few days before going to the vets, he actually does seem to get better on his own more often than not.
Good luck.

Towel over the head, I'm wondering about a light rubber band to help hold it in place, an extra person or 3 to hold each limb, and gloves :(
Is your vet open tomorrow?

I would towel & person on each limb to have a good look at the wound. Maybe you can clean it up with light saline solution & keep an eye on it for a day or 2 rather than need to take him in.

Light blanket thrown over him to confuse him for a second while you grab him and bundle him into a carrier or box. And wear gloves! If he's still under the bed you might need help - either to lift it up or to nudge him out with a brush (warning he will be even madder, but it's for a good cause!)

Pa, I wouldn't put off the vet personally. When cats in pain hide it can be serious..

Also get everything ready in one room with a door before you chivvy him into that room. And make sure the cat flap is locked shut in case he does a runner.

Voice of bitter experience.

"sorry vet, can we cancel the appointment, my very sick cat has hightailed it over the fence because she caught sight of the cat carrier....."

Also in my experience cardboard carriers are no match for strong angry cats! With a very reluctant cat I used to stand the front opening cat carrier on its end, it was easier to insert the cat vertically than attempt a full frontal horizontal entry (ooh missus!)

thanks all. he has made it on to the bed and curled up. gave me a warning tail wag when I gently stroked his head. Can't see the extent of the injury but he seems calm as long as he isn't moving or being touched.
the top of the cat box comes off so you can place him in the bottom bit but he's too quick at escaping before you can get the top clipped back into place.
two weeks ago spotted bald tyre on dh's car. last week the fridge freezer broke and defrosted. now the cat....life is just a money pit at the moment

Yup vet as soon as you can and ensure you get him into box first time. I use a slightly damp towel as ours is super slinky and you need a grip. Poor love.