Anesthetize my cat to remove matted hair?

Max developed tight, close, badly matted hair all over the back part of his back. Impossible to even try to remove. He is part or mostly a 16#, so far, 2 year old male Maine Coon. I've tried brushing but he will have no part of that, ever. I took him to the Vet, for shots etc, that he was due for and asked about the mats, knots, whatever. He kept him all day to have himself and/or assistants try to get them out. He called me late yesterday to come get him. Nothing got done. Every time they took him out to groom him he got NASTY! He made me an appointment to bring him back next Monday to be anesthized to remove the huge mat. I'd like opinions concerning this. If one would see him it's impossible to remove it all, IF he'd let you. I'm not at all sure he'd even let you shave him. Your opinions?? If some of you remember I've written asking help about Maxie before. He bites me. But he's my baby so he's spoiled rotten and he rules me, his 84 year old Momma. About the biting. It's still a HUGE problem! I mean bite. He will be so sweet, loving etc. and all of a sudden he grabs, usually, my arm and clamps down, draws blood almost every time. I so love him but this too is, as I said, still a big problem. I still need help, badly, on this. But please don't give me the same standard advice, I should do this or I shouldn't have done that. I've done it all. I've read and re read on this subject and nothing works. Not squirting slapping his nose, like his cat momma did, talking to him, reading his gestures, stop petting before he's frustrated, playing a lot with him to wear him out, the mouse at the end of the string on stick etc. I have to carry a squirt bottle of water with me constantly to protect myself. He corners me, looking mean, I squirt, he leaves. If not he lunges at me and bites. (It's not a game to him) Yes I do love my baby even being this way. He can be so sweet most of the times. It's just when he gets this way. When I was at the vets yesterday his assistant, kiddingly, said your bipolar cat. That stopped me in my tracks. He is! If there is such a thing in cats. Never thought of that. How lucky can I get?
So back to my taking him to be anesthized next Monday to have that knotted mat removed.opinions??? I know it's gotta be hurting and pulling.
Thanks ......
Nasty Cat('s Momma)

I think sedating Max to have the mats removed is the best way to go, based on your analysis of the situation. It is also very likely to be less stressful for him as well.

If you have concerns regarding sedation, your vet can run bloodwork ahead of time. This will check basic organ function.

If you want to be more thorough, you can send out a Pro-BNP with a CBC/chem. the Pro-BNP will check to see if there is any deterioration of the heart (detects a protein when the muscle breaksdown.) Maine Coons are more prone to Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) than some other breeds, so don't know if this is a concern for you or not.

Thank you for replying and addressing Max's situation. After leaving the vets I began secon guessing myself.
Nasty Cat('s) Mom

I think sedating is your only option to tackle these matts, and I think they do need removing. Having fur that matted must hurt, and that won't do anything to improve his temper!

With the biting - if he turns as quickly as you say he may have a chemical imbalance. Certainly, if you've tried, tried and tried again to tackle the problem from a behavioural perspective and had no improvement, then it's definitely worth discussing the possibility of medication for Max. For those cats that truly need it, it can make a huge difference. It's not about doping him - just about returning him to an even keel. Given his age, it's also worth checking for any pain issues - arthritis is very common in older cats, and that could also affect his attitude to being touched.

I hope you're able to find a solution for him. Let us know what happens. 

Anesthesia would work, of course, but it sounds a bit extreme to me. A mere sedative may be all that's necessary. Have you discussed this with the vet?

As for the general behavior problems, I agree that some kind of medication may be needed. I take zoloft for depression, and it helps me a lot. It also makes it much easier to handle the aggravations of everyday life. If Max is this aggressive with you, he must be feeling pretty bad. It would be a kindness to help him with this.

Margret

I had a Persian till last Xmas she was 16 and jut died in her sleep. But l had her sedated three times a year at the vets because she would let me do her eye,s that used to get to get sticky. Every morning l still tried with brushing but she never let me.

But l had no problems with it been done and they also did her claws. The vet put her under then the nurses did the rest. I am disabled so got a animal taxi for Abbie there and back. She was quiet for a couple of hours then back to normal. So don't worry your can will be so  more comfortable. It affects there walking and moving as t pulls together,

Jilly

Update on 2 year old Max, my 16# mostly Main Coon cat whom I had to have anesthized. No way could they have helped him by only sedating him, as was suggested once here.
I took him to the vet early Monday August 3rd. He was gone all day. I picked him up about suppertime and when I drove into my garage I swear he knew he was home. He began meowing all the way into the house and when I let him out of his carrier he was very leery and smelled everything. Did I ever say Max definitely is a scardy cat? He is! That seemed to be the only thing I noticed of his having complete anesthesia. The vet's assistant said she spent most of the afternoon trying, and finally succeeding, combing and brushing his badly matted fur out so he didn't have to be shaved. He looks beautiful and silky smooth with his mid to long hair back to normal. Now if I can just get him to let me brush him to prevent the matting again.
Probably the first three days after I had the sweetest, most lovable cat. Still won't let me actually pick him up but climbed on my lap and I got so many Maxie kisses. No bites, just kisses. Then mid week he jumped off of my dresser and on the way down grabbed my leg and taking a bite on the way down. . This time I'm having to treat that bite carefully. Well, Old Max is back. I made an appointment with my vet mid month sometime, I forget the date, to take him in to talk to him about Max being bipolar and possibly seeing a behaviorist. Don't really want to do the latter because of the cost ...... but whatcha gonna do at this point. My family most definitely all want me to 'get rid of Max.' But I love him, most of the time. That isn't even in my way of thinking.
So that's the update on Max my biting cat who I know loves me though. Is that an oxymoron?

I'm sorry to hear that you're still having problems with Max - though its wonderful to hear that he didn't have to get shaved. Well done that vet's assistant!

I certainly think its a valid view to try meds and work at home before going down the behaviourist route. I'm not knocking behaviourists at all - they do a wonderful job - but I can fully understand the financial side of it and, if I'm honest, I'd probably try to work it out myself first (under veterinary advice plus what help I was able to find online) before going to a behaviourist.

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