? Suddenly won't tolerate testing

[Juliet & Diggy]

Diggy has always been very tolerant with this whole disease and everything I've had to put him through, but a few days ago he started not letting me test his ears without putting up a fight. Just the other morning he was so squirmy (which usually I can manage) but he kept getting his blood all over my pants so there wasn't enough for me to test. I finally gave up and just didn't give insulin. He's never been one to enjoy getting his ears pricked, but now he detests it. And I haven't even been able to do a curve recently. Usually by the end of the curve day he's a very unhappy kitty, but since it's been quite a while I don't see why he's acting like this.

Anyone have any thoughts as to why the flip switched and now he can't stand it? Has anyone had their cat do the same thing?

I don't think I could test his paw pad because he typically doesn't like his feet being touched.

 

[TempestsMum]

I had this problem at the beginning she wasn't bad, then it turned into a nightmare and then we were OK and a bit up and down, now she comes to be tested and purrs!

I don't always stick her when she comes to her test spot, sometimes I just call her (she now comes running) stroke and pet her, rub at her ears and then treat her. It really paid off for me in the long run as shed started to roll on her side and use claws and bite although she never drew blood she just held her teeth on me. Now there's none of that.. I was in complete despair at points but now no problems

A couple of Other things I forgot to say, make sure your ear is warm. Make sure you hold it slightly taught and most of all make sure the bevel is up so the thinnest part gets the skin. (If you don't use a machine - I use the lancets by hand)

 

[Squalliesmom]

Squallie has started a similar behavior to Diggy's. For over a year he has had no real issue with testing, and now I have to drag him to me and he spends the whole time trying to get away. I wish I knew what had changed!

 

[Critter Mom]

New batch of lancets by any chance? Or new vial of insulin? Any significant changes in BG levels recently?

(Brainstorming here.)


Mogs
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[Callie & Patches]

The only things I can think of is wrapping up in a towel or giving a treat. Callie loves freeze dried chicken. If I shake the bag, she comes running.

I hope it gets better for you and Diggy.

 

[Juliet & Diggy]

Yeah no there hasn't been anything new in the mix. No new lancets or insulin, not using a different spot in the house, nothing. His BG has been all over the place and I'm trying to lower the dose to find the right one, but have been having difficulty with that.

I would try the treat thing, but he gets his food immediately after I test. And he also acts like he hasn't eaten in years, regardless of what time of day it is or when he last ate, so I think bribing him with food would be more of a distraction that helpful. But thanks for the tips everyone! I'll just have to be patient with him and hope he snaps out of it. I'll try turning the heat up a little higher tonight; maybe he's just cold and grumpy. Who knows with him sometimes ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[Critter Mom]

I'd suggest getting Diggy checked over by the vet, especially because he's so ravenous plus it's always a good idea to do so if there's an unexplained change in behaviour.


Mogs
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[Misterbeesmom]

I'm with critter mom. Ravenous and bg all over the place, and irritable about the ears/different behavior. Might wanna get him checked out.

 

[whiskeysmom]

I'm new here, and this question relates to something I've been wondering..

I've heard of the spot where you prick, getting kind of hard so sometimes you have to find new spots..same with injecting insulin..is that a danger with the lancets, too?

 

[Misterbeesmom]

I'm new here, and this question relates to something I've been wondering..

I've heard of the spot where you prick, getting kind of hard so sometimes you have to find new spots..same with injecting insulin..is that a danger with the lancets, too?

from what i've seen here, the pricking of the 'sweet spot' on the ears only encourages more blood flow, so its not ever going to be a problem.

the injection sites of insulin is something else - repeatedly shooting the same spot can create trouble. i'm not sure how common that is. i know a cat who gets dosed in his scruff all the time, in the center, and its been years of this and he has been fine.

 

[Juliet & Diggy]

from what i've seen here, the pricking of the 'sweet spot' on the ears only encourages more blood flow, so its not ever going to be a problem.

the injection sites of insulin is something else - repeatedly shooting the same spot can create trouble. i'm not sure how common that is. i know a cat who gets dosed in his scruff all the time, in the center, and its been years of this and he has been fine.

Do people regularly switch up the injection spot to avoid any complications? I've been shooting between the shoulder blades since he's been diagnosed, but with his fur I can never see exactly where I'm poking him. Sometimes it does feel a little harder; I just assumed it was a scab or something. But for the most part I haven't had any issues.

 

[Misterbeesmom]

Do people regularly switch up the injection spot to avoid any complications? I've been shooting between the shoulder blades since he's been diagnosed, but with his fur I can never see exactly where I'm poking him. Sometimes it does feel a little harder; I just assumed it was a scab or something. But for the most part I haven't had any issues.

it has been suggested to alternate sites yes. i shoot in various places on mr b's shoulders. i always part the fur and watch the injection so i know whats going on. thats just me - i dont know if many/most people do it that way. you might consider starting a thread on that question to get more responses.

 

[TempestsMum]

I would try the treat thing, but he gets his food immediately after I test. And he also acts like he hasn't eaten in years, regardless of what time of day it is or when he last ate, so I think bribing him with food would be more of a distraction that helpful. But thanks for the tips everyone! I'll just have to be patient with him and hope he snaps out of it. I'll try turning the heat up a little higher tonight; maybe he's just cold and grumpy. Who knows with him sometimes ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I also Used to feed straight after testing and she always ran to get fed. However I really noticed a massive change (complete turn around) when I started testing then giving her 'special' treats after.