Hi,
this is my first posting to ask a question.  I have two cats, one is
16 years old the other 12.  We took them on an overnight trip a couple
of years ago to spend two weeks with our daughter and son in law when
they got their first baby.  It was awful.  I had bought some kind of
vitamin/amino acid remedy for anxiety at the pet store before we left
but it did absolutely nothing.  They were mostly ok during the ride on
the first day, but the nights in the motel room were not good.  Our 12
year old cat was just so scared and cried (howled) a lot.  I called a
local Vet from the motel to find out if he could recommend something,
but it was Saturday and they were closing.  He suggested Benedryl.  I
didn't have any plain so I couldn't give them anything.

I need some information if anyone has any on what I could give to my
cats to help them not be so afraid when we are driving and staying in
the motel. We are making that same trip because daughter and son in
law are adopting another baby.  It's a 700mile trip and I don't want
to board the cats.  They wouldn't survive it.  Is it ok to give them
Benedryl as the Vet said?  I would like them to sleep the entire drive
and be relaxed when in the motel.

They seem to be fine once we get to my daughter's house (she has cats
and a dog) it's just the driving and the motel situation.  We keep
them in carriers in the car but they are indoor cats and never go
outside so just freak.  My 12 year old had liver failure about 5 years
ago and since that situation he's been a real nut case.  Scared of
everything.  Tiny little bugs that fly in the air (fruitflies) scare
him to death.  I feel so sorry for him, he is just so anxious since
his surgery and the 6 weeks he had a tube in his throat.  He just
never got over that trauma.  I wonder if it would help to wrap him in
a towel or blanket when he gets so wound up in the motel room?  I'm
just hoping I can find something to give him to make him not care
where he is ;o)

Thanks for any help
Basha