Anyone out there testing pads?
- Thread starter Zee
- Start date
- Status
Lisa and Witn (GA)
Member Since 2009
What problems are you having when trying to use her ears?
Jasper Blue and Jay
Member Since 2019
Not sure what you've tried so far...
Are you warming the ear up first? It gets chilly here most mornings so I use a rice sock heated up in the microwave.
Are you aiming for the "sweet spot" (there is a diagram, I can never find it when I need it though lol let me know if you haven't seen it yet I'll try to find it.)
Is she hydrated? Looks like she's eating dry food? If she's dehydrated that could be making it more difficult.
Maybe a larger lancet (the smaller the number the bigger the needle) would help until her ears "learn to bleed"?
Also... I had read about using a 45 degree angle but I ignored it because I didn't know why that would matter... then I realized I started having a hard time again and had been going like straight in... so I did start trying a 45 degree angle and it seems to help.
Jasper Blue and Jay
Member Since 2019
It will get easier.
I watched a ton of videos on youtube, some of them contradict each other so sometimes its more confusing than helpful lol but one of them might have a tip that we haven't thought of or just seeing someone doing it might be helpful.
The sweet spot works best for me, but sometimes when we've been testing a lot I try to use the other area that has a lot of those little capillaries on top there...usually works well too. Just try to avoid the veins, I think they say hitting a vein hurts more and they might jump.
I put a cotton ball under his ear to have something to press against.
MamaMug
Member Since 2019
GA stands for 'gone ahead' or 'guardian angel', indicating a kitty has passed.
Regarding testing, we never tried the pads but I was tempted when we were just starting. It was tricky to learn the ear! If doing the pads from my understanding, you will need an actual Lancet device (rather than free hand with the Lancet) to get through the pad enough to draw blood.
Noah & me (GA)
Member Since 2016
Even after years I often went right through Noah's ear or he flinched and I shredded his ear. Deal with apologizing later, for now you've got blood and whether it's from either side of the ear doesn't matter. I didn't use a lancet device, just free-handed and used huge BD lancets, easier to grip and available in many gauges.
By the way, the GA and Grief are meant for sugar cats only and NOT to indicate what state you reside in.
By the way, the GA and Grief are meant for sugar cats only and NOT to indicate what state you reside in.
- Status