Trying to catch a cat!!

[easyfood]

This week I took my 6 month old kitten to be neutered.  She is naturally a very anxious cat, having been attacked by a rottweiler when she was only 1 month old and had several operations and fostered to many people before I took her 3 months ago.  It took a long time(!) to catch her to take her for her opeation this week - hiding behind every piece of furniture, even though I moved everything beforehand.  I will be moving house in 3 weeks time.  I have spoken with the vet about how to calm her but he only gave me oral mouth gel.  Not a hope I could even put that in her mouth!  I don't believe she would touch it if I put it on a piece of chicken.  I wouldn't eat food with gel on it! Has anyone had similar problems and how to solve?  It's going to be the same palava to try and catch her and take her to the vet for sedation during removal time.  Any ideas would be much appreciated.  Thanks.

[johnboy1967]

Does she have a favourite thing? IE blanket , cushion or toy ?? If so place it inside her carry box and put this in an area that is quiet and calm so she feels safe and secure being in the box...
Hopefully on moving day she will then go to her "safe place" and this will make it easier to confine her ....
Good luck.

[Findik]

My cat had to have a gel but for a different reason. When the vet gave me the tube I thought no way. He told me to just squeeze some on my finger and the cat would lick it off. Well I tried it and bingo the cat loved it and regards it as a treat and asks for more. I wish I knew what it had been flavoured with then I could coat other pills in it.

[easyfood]

Thanks for that.  Had a go with the gel to see what would happen - wouldn't take it.  The problem is getting her into the box.  Once she's inside, she is very quiet (so scared).  I think I'll have to ask the vet to come round and try and catch her with a net.  It's a bit of a trauma for all concerned when trying to catch her (and quite a bit of blood from her scratching and that's with gloves on).  Thanks again for the advice.

[Bluwise]

What about putting her food in her box in the weeks up to you going, maybe she will start going in?

[grizabella]

I'm with Bluewise on this one as I have 3 cats who hate going into their carriers.I bring out their carriers a few days before they have to go in them.This lulls them into a sense of false security.I put treats in the carriers a few times a day and let them go in and out till they are comfortable with the boxes.Then on the day of 'removal' it should be a dawdle!Treats in,cats in...........shut doors!Simples!