? New Member/ Testing From The Same Ear Everyday Okay???

[Shawn & Sir Maximus]

I was wondering if it was okay to test from the same ear everyday. I know cats have no feelings in their ears but i feel like testing from the same ear multiple times a day is butchering him. I get a better draw from his right ear and he seems not to mind compared to his left ear. I put a little vaseline on the area before and after for the draw to bring the blood up and also for healing.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

I used to alternate ears, and where on the ears, but that's what worked for me. I found it less likely to bruise that way. We've had members with cats missing part of their ears who had no choice but to use just one ear.

 

[Shawn & Sir Maximus]

I used to alternate ears, and where on the ears, but that's what worked for me. I found it less likely to bruise that way. We've had members with cats missing part of their ears who had no choice but to use just one ear.

Do you think you using the vaseline helps with the bruising or is there something that is better to use. I did have the lancet set on 5 but i just put it on 3 and it worked pretty good so that might help deter some bruising.

I did his left ear for the first time and he pulled away and the lancet sliced thru a section of his ear. That freaked me out so I went back to the right ear. I put some vaseline on the ear. Hope he is okay.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

Vaseline helps the blood to pool, so it easier to catch. Putting a bit of pressure on the poke spot helps with bruising. This post has some more tips for after care: Testing and Shooting Tips

 

[Noah & me (GA)]

Noah had only one good test ear. As nervous as he was he loved getting that ear rubbed afterwards with a warm & wet paper towel.

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

I tested on one ear only and it wasn't a problem. Gabby was diabetic for 6.5 years.

 

[CORKY]

I was wondering if it was okay to test from the same ear everyday. I know cats have no feelings in their ears but i feel like testing from the same ear multiple times a day is butchering him. I get a better draw from his right ear and he seems not to mind compared to his left ear. I put a little vaseline on the area before and after for the draw to bring the blood up and also for healing.

I myself have no choice to only test on one of my Corky's ear his vein on the right ear is so so small there hasn't been one time it draws blood, but also, since there's no testing after 10-11PM till morning's AMPS, since I use a flashlight to see where to shoot the vein has healed by then, I've been testing him since August, and he's ear is fine IO also rub him with aloe vera for burns gel that I have in the fridge, now and them, he really likes that

 

[Shawn & Sir Maximus]

I myself have no choice to only test on one of my Corky's ear his vein on the right ear is so so small there hasn't been one time it draws blood, but also, since there's no testing after 10-11PM till morning's AMPS, since I use a flashlight to see where to shoot the vein has healed by then, I've been testing him since August, and he's ear is fine IO also rub him with aloe vera for burns gel that I have in the fridge, now and them, he really likes that

Thank you, I wonder if the aloe vera burns gel would be better healing than the vaseline. Hmm have to check that out. BTW i have checked into your thread a few times and you and Suzanne our doing a phenomenal job with Corky. Keep up the great work!

 

[CORKY]

Thank you, I wonder if the aloe vera burns gel would be better healing than the vaseline. Hmm have to check that out. BTW i have checked into your thread a few times and you and Suzanne our doing a phenomenal job with Corky. Keep up the great work!

Thanks Yes Suzanne has been a God sent she’s always there and I take her suggestions blindly. I think the Vaseline would always stay penetrated into the skin and you might get a wrong reading, this aloe gel you spread with your fingers and then take it off with toilet paper is just to alíviate the pinching and since is cold is good for the little pinch try it is very inexpensive and thanks for the complement best to you

 

[Chrispooky12]

I use one ear to test my boy & I've been testing him for over 2yrs.now. If his ear ever looked bruised I would put a dab of pure coconut oil on his ear, it is safe to use if they injest it by using there paw to clean there ears. I buy it at Walmart just make sure it's pure coconut oil.

 

[Larry and Kitties]

I think the Vaseline would always stay penetrated into the skin and you might get a wrong reading,

One does not care if the petrolatum is absorbed into the ear since the blood does not mix with it. The blood beads up.

this aloe gel you spread with your fingers

If this is soluble in water then it will also be soluble in blood.

I have had over 20 diabetic cats in the past 20 years or so and have always used petrolatum. Only problem is if you put it on thick it can clog the test strip resulting in an error message.

I rotate right and left ears as well was what side of each ear to prick. I have found that the earsmon some cats do bruise and others do not.

 

[Suzanne & Darcy]

It’s perfectly fine. Some cats only have one “good” ear. @Linda and Newman

 

[Suzanne & Darcy]

Darcy had one ear that was better than the other for drawing blood, but I did alternate ears and also you want to move up and down the ear a little bit, while still staying in the “sweet spot” (have you seen the photo?). Over time, the ear that wasn’t quite as good at giving blood got better, but still one gave blood more easily than the other ear.

 

[Shawn & Sir Maximus]

Darcy had one ear that was better than the other for drawing blood, but I did alternate ears and also you want to move up and down the ear a little bit, while still staying in the “sweet spot” (have you seen the photo?). Over time, the ear that wasn’t quite as good at giving blood got better, but still one gave blood more easily than the other ear.

I have seen a photo of the sweet spot.Just seems like that right ear gives me blood every time. I will work on that left ear some more. Thank you