In which my cats are insane

I was supposed to take Ripley the Wonder Cat and Spencer the Goober in to get their checkups and shots this morning. (I love using a 24 hour vet clinic...) Got the carriers in the house yesterday. Collected stool samples (ugh). Got all of Spencer's previous paperwork together. Got up too early for a Sunday, dressed, etc.

Went and picked up Ripley, who was Not Having It, but she never likes being picked up. Started to put her in the carrier and she freaked a little, but she always does. I chuckled and said something on the order of, "C'mon, sweetie"... and did my usual Shove the Seven Pound Tiny Cat in the Carrier Move.

She completely lost it. Hysterical, slashing, clawing, SCREAMING. My right hand looks like it's been through a war. Ripley then just launched herself at Spencer, who had come over to see what all the fuss was about. Growling, hissing, spitting, slashing ensued. Hair flew. I got them separated, and now Ripley is under the bed growling at everything that comes close and Spencer is still freaked out, since he's never seen her in complete Monster Mode before.

I canceled the appointment.

The only reasons I can think of is either she's afraid I'd either come back with another cat, or that I'm taking her to Kitty Death Camp, since Slinky (deceased)  was the last cat I put in the larger carrier.

Since I'll be out of town next weekend for the North Texas Irish Bataan Death March, I'm just going to leave the carriers in the living room for now and hope she'll get used to them again, and try again in a couple of weeks. I'll clean them thoroughly too.

Anybody have further suggestions? I really need to take them in but I don't want to traumatize her any more if I can help it.