1st vet visit traumatic - how to deal w/ future visits?

Either my kitty is a great actress or she truly is ultra-sensitive and ultra-emotional when it comes to being put into a carrier and transported

I can practically see how her future vet visits are going to play out - There's one word that comes to mind: ORDEAL

How do you all cope? On January 2nd her stiches are scheduled for removal (I should have probably paid extra for the dissolving kind) ----I am not looking forward to the wailing. Oh gosh do I need words of wisdom here

Several things you can do- spray the inside of the carrier with Feliway Spray about 10 minutes before loading kitty. Put some vanilla extract under kitty's chin before you put the cat in the carrier. Sprinkle catnip around the carrier (not inside of it) and put some nice soft bedding inside the carrier. Feed the cat several times good tasty food days before you have to take her to the vet, to get her comfortable with the carrier. Put her in, take her for a short 5 minute drive, bring her home, feed her tasty treats and let her see that everytime she gets in *bad* things don't happen to her.

Take some pipecleaners and lightweight toys and run the pipecleaner through the slats and twist so the long ends are inside (high up) Twist a light weight toy around the end so the kitty has the option of batting at it when she is stressed and confined.

hissy has given wonderful advice to you.

What you may also like to try is to leave the carrier with the door open inside the home. Leave treats in there for her or favourite toys that have been rubbed with catnip. Let her approach the carrier on her terms and find out that good things can happen around the carrier even when at home.

You have gotten an excellent bunch of advice on getting kitty accustomed to her crate & making it a positive experience. I have a cat crate open all the time in our house & periodically put toys or treats in there.
If your cat has an absolute favorite treat you may want to take that with you when you go to the vet & make sure she gets it offered in the clinic. Some cats are just so upset to eat, but others will take the treat. Just the fact that food was offered seems to help.
If your cat may need to take numerous trips over her lifetime you also might want to do some short trips just to get her used to riding. Perhaps ending with a short meal fed in the car.
Deb E

I like the idea of having crate open all the time and short trips just because

I am still upset about not being told about nor offered the dissolving stitches - I'll get over it - Are those even available for pets? Someone mentioned dissolving stitches for human surgery. The vet must have thought I'm some sort of cheapskate (far from the truth) and said nothing

There are many different kinds of suture material. Which type is used depends on the place it is used (skin or inside), the likelihood of your pet pulling or licking at sutures, which your vet is most comfortable with, etc. I know my cats have proven to be superior at removing their own sutures )
Deb E

There is such a thing because we had a bunch of ferals spayed and they dont need second visits so they must have gotten the dissolving stitches.

Yes..I too leave the carrier open and filled with a blanket and toys. Just one more place to hide in the house. But they still sing while I drive. Some cats just hate the car.

My cat also acts as if he's being skinned alive when he is transported. Aside from toys and treats I noticed that the sound of my voice and petting him was the only thing that semi calmed him down. Hope it helps.

I transported a couple of humane society cats a few weeks back. We had an hour long drive and they were terrified (wailing inside the cages). I turned on the radio to National Public Radio and what came on but Celtic Harp music. They calmed down immediately. MaryAnn (Hissy) swears by harp music to calm cats, so perhaps you might want to find a tape/CD for your car when you travel with them. It worked for these girls.