Marshmellow AMPS 430/360 AT/Relion Difficulty Testing (Hides)

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Marshmellow & Steve

Marshmellow & Steve

Member Since 2015
I am transitioning to the Relion meter. Marshmellow is very newly diagnosed, and still trying to level her numbers. One question, she is a rescue cat, and was very obviously abused by a man. My wife has no difficulty getting her to come to her, But I have been "the bad person" who pricks her ear. I know that she is more scared than in pain when it is done, but as we both work 12hr shifts, trying to do sugars at the correct times is difficult. (although I am still out of work another week d/t knee surgery). My issue is it's very difficult at times for me to get her, and I am afraid if she if that afraid and nervous, that too could be affecting numbers. At first, bribing her with a treat worked, but she is getting wise to that. Any ideas?
 
Does she like being brushed or combed?
Does she like to play with a particular toy?
Either of those can serve as a 'treat', too.

And doing other activities with her outside of the testing and shooting will help her learn to trust you, too. Active play sessions of 15-20 minutes, at least once a day, are helpful in giving her some exercise (which helps the insulin work), plus it can help improve the bond with you.
 
One thing that really helpd me get Furball to calm down at test time was to give her some loving before the test and after the test. She knows she has to be tested, but she also sees it as a special time for loving. I also give her freeze-dried treats after each test and praise her for being such a good girl.
 
BJM said:
Does she like being brushed or combed?
Does she like to play with a particular toy?
Either of those can serve as a 'treat', too.

And doing other activities with her outside of the testing and shooting will help her learn to trust you, too. Active play sessions of 15-20 minutes, at least once a day, are helpful in giving her some exercise (which helps the insulin work), plus it can help improve the bond with you.
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Thanks. I do play with her multiple times a day. Lately she has been extra skittish with me even during playtime, but that seems like an opportune time. She lets my wife brush her, but she doesn't like me to hold her. Also, what makes a good low carb treat?
 
Marshmellow & Steve said:
Also, what makes a good low carb treat?
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I use Pure Bites brand freeze dried chicken (I'll buy the dog size and just break them into smaller pieces, more economical) and Orijen freeze dried treats, I usually just get original flavor, but they have a few others like venison and boar that she likes, too. Others here use Halo Liv-a-Littles freeze dried treats. You can also use plain baked or boiled chicken or tuna (low sodium, packed in water, not broth or oil).

It might help if you go through all the motions of testing, without actually poking a few times a day. That way Marshmellow can get more used to the process and the treats that come with it.
 
Thank you all. Great advice. Will try. Tomorrows post has to do with vet....she doesn't trust the relion meter! I almost feel guilty, because she has been so helpful via text at all hours.
 
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