Tips for taking an extremely scared to the vet/

My cat is about 8 or 9 years old, and because she hasn't been eating, we decided my mom has to take her to the vet (my previous post in this page explains the situation). The appointment is tomorrow morning, and my mom is taking her alone. The vet is no farther than 10 minutes from our house, but my cat, ever since she has been a baby, is terrified of car rides. When we moved across the country and drove with her, she cried nonstop. Even short rides are bad, and she hasn't experienced the car since we moved 4 years ago. Also, she's absolutely terrified of strangers, when anyone comes to our hides she hides. Needless to say, the vet will be extremely traumatic for her and I'm very worried. If she has depression or separation anxiety, can a vet visit make it worse? Also, what does a vet do to do tests on a cat? I really don't want her too scared or in any pain. She's never been to the vet. Any other tips would be greatly appreciated... thank you so much.

Can't believe at her age she has never been to a vet. For one thing, she needs to be spayed. Has anyone ever looked at the condition of her teeth? Have the vet do a complete check up for her.

My mistake, she has been to the vet but only as a baby and she is spayed. Any tips for her?

Do you have mobile vets in your area?  That would be the best option for her.  Do an internet search for a mobile vet.  They are more expensive but worth it for the little kitty who doesn't want to leave the house.  If you can get her in one room, or even into her carrier before the visit that would be helpful for when the vet comes.  I would let the vet know she is very scared of people.  

unfortunately, we have to take her to a vet's office

Do yo have any cat nip or Feliway spray?  You could use those to help calm her.  The spay goes on a fabric, not on the cat.  You could sprinkle some nip on an unwashed teeshirt belonging to whoever she loves the most and keep it in the carrier with her.  Poor kitty.  I hope she will get better.  

@Ginny thank you so much... I'm really hoping and praying she'll be ok. we do have feliway, its around 4 years old so hopefully it works. my mom was thinking of bringing my blanket that she likes to sleep on with me and spray that. I'm just mainly worried about the actual vet

You could have mom request that she not be taken out of the room.  Some vets weigh and examine the cat in a different room so ask if she can remain with the kitty to keep her calm.  But if they need to do an X-ray of her abdomen, she could ask to go with her to help keep her calm.  

Shake the Feliway can real good.  I'm not sure if a 4 year old can works but it's worth a try!  Let us know how she does tomorrow.  

I will, thank you again so much! I'm so nervous

sorry if this is a stupid question (I'm no expert) but if she simply has depression or separation anxiety from me, can a traumatic visit to the vet make her worse?

For one, getting her in to the carrier is not going to be an easy task for mom, so be sure she knows how to scruff if needed to keep her from darting away, and also to have the carrier ready in a small room like the bathroom in case she does bolt, she doesn't go hiding under the bed.

Once in carrier, secure door well and cover the entire carrier up with a towel. This is instantly calming.

Leave it covered until she is in the exam room.

95% of cats going to the vet are terrified, so much so that it actually affects their blood test in certain areas, but it doesn't hurt them so much as long as you have an understanding and gently vet, and it does help for mom to talk to her while examined.

Zuzanna Szulc said:

 
sorry if this is a stupid question (I'm no expert) but if she simply has depression or separation anxiety from me, can a traumatic visit to the vet make her worse?

Click to expand...

No, and I highly doubt it is simply depression.

Lack of eating can be IBD, pancreatitis, or several other things, and the first and number one cause is teeth. So she needs to have a thorough oral exam done.

@catwoman707 thank you!

How did things go? 

@ginny She was weirdly calm at the vet and in the car. She got her tests done, and her pancreas and liver is slightly enlarged, or like the levels are slightly higher than they should be. They say the liver issue should be treatable pretty easily, but she got transferred to another vet where she's getting an ultrasound, I believe being fed through IV, and given anti vomiting medication. The ultrasound is to actually determine why the liver issue and lack of eating is happening. My mom's waiting on the call to pick her up and get the results of the tests... please hope and pray for kitty. I'm so worried about her, I just want everything to be ok. Thanks again for all your help! 

Ill pray for your little one, we all need a helping hand at times! I definitely hope and pray everything turns out well. Go to Amazon and look for 'calming treats' they have helped my nervous cat tremendously on vet visits. He has a heartt condition and his heart always raced out of control. The last visit my vet was amazed on how much calmer he was. Ask your vet if they are OK to give and give them the ingredients so they will know if they will interfere with anything in your cat's condition. I wish only the best for you, all the luck! 

@Di and Bob  thank you so much! I really, really appreciate that

Awww, I hope everything is easily treatable and very glad she didn't freak out.  Sending good thoughts and "vibes" your way!  

Thank you! She's finally home after all day at the vet... poor girl went through a lot today. She got appetite stimulants and pain meds and it seems its already helping her appetite. Now we're just waiting on the results for the pancreas ultrasound and this is the part we're most worried about

That's some good news!  So how were her teeth? And when will you hear about the ultrasound?