From the records, she's been prescribed gabapentin before--the problem would be getting it into her; she's a big girl and I suspect will be just about un-pillable unless we can find a pill pocket she thinks is yummy enough.

I was looking at this carrier: top *and* front opening, or this one: similar, but boxier (but maybe the open sides will make her more anxious and she needs something more covered?). She's a bit of a chonker--somewhere between 15 and 20 lbs.

I'd crush the pill and mix it in wet food.

I had a carrier with roll up side panels so I could cover the mesh, but I am not seeing any like that.

I'm sorry about your Pearlie, Katerina Bee, but glad for her easy passing.

I'm so sorry, Katie Bee.

Katie Bee - I am so sorry. I am glad you all were with her.

Cass - correction - I sent you a FaceBook IM.

Timelies all!

I'm sorry, Katerina Bee.

Hey Sheryl. How is your day going?

Gabapentin in capsules is the way to go... open the capsule into wet food, stir it in, no flavor. That is how Harvey gets his twice daily, since the last time I pilled him my medical bills were higher than his trip to the emergency vet because cat bites Are Bad.

Some of the PetMate plastic carriers are easy to simply take apart around the cat. I have done that a time or two. This style [link] with latches holding the top half to the bottom half instead of screws. Also, your mom may want to consider leaving the carrier out all the time, throwing treats into it, so it is part of kitty's daily life and is less alarming when it comes out for trips to the vet.

Right now I leave mine out all the time and Petunia gets in it sometimes just to sleep. But I had her from a kitten. Miss Bobo was more like this cat, they sort of undersold her drawbacks. And I learned to live with them which I would not recommend as it lead to having my whole apartment cleaned by professional body removers eventually. So I am sure there is a good middle ground.