Oh well done Jon! Thank goodness he's not been alienated by the experience.

One of ours (SmokeyPokey) is very calm and doesn't mind too much going in the cat carrier, (although he howls all the time in the car) But the other one (Murphy) is a nervous wreck at the best of times and would completely freak out if we had to take him for any reason.

Are the blood tests for Feline HIV? The thing is, vets are dreadfully expensive aren't they?
How are you going to ensure Furball is around to be put in the cat carrier again for his op?