Ear isn't bleeding today - what do you do on days like that

[Carrie Arrowsmith]

Hi...so we have been at this a few weeks now - it's going well. Bianca isn't regulated but I don't expect that yet. I have been doing pretty decent at getting her tests. I am not testing nearly enough for the between shots but getting some here and there.
There is a question in here I promise. Her ears just weren't bleeding this evening - what do you do on days like this? She doesn't like me to test her right ear, I don't know why it has never had any trauma but she does not let me test on the right ear. Her left cooperates as does she - but tonight it was ridiculous. I had to try 5 times - 2 of those five just a tiny tiny bit and I rubbed to try and get more blood to surface but it was not having it. By the 5th try Bianca still let me do it but she was mad and while I got enough for a success BG it was just barley. Tips other than rubbing them and heat to get that blood out???? I am trying to work on the right ear, but she really jerks and says no to it.

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

A lot of cats bleed better in one ear than the other. My China's left ear would bleed if I looked at it hard but her right ear was like getting blood from a stone.

Are you heating up her ear before trying to test? A small sock with some dry rice in it and tied off makes an easy heat source that can be used over and over. Just pop it in the microwave for 10-20 seconds (you'll have to experiment to see how long you need). Test it on the inside of your wrist like you would test a baby's bottle to make sure it's warm, but not too hot.

You can also use oatmeal if you don't have rice, or a pill bottle filled with warm water, or even a washcloth that's been soaked in warm water, squeezed out and put into a baggie (so you don't add water to the blood you're testing)

 

[Chrispooky12]

Hi...so we have been at this a few weeks now - it's going well. Bianca isn't regulated but I don't expect that yet. I have been doing pretty decent at getting her tests. I am not testing nearly enough for the between shots but getting some here and there.
There is a question in here I promise. Her ears just weren't bleeding this evening - what do you do on days like this? She doesn't like me to test her right ear, I don't know why it has never had any trauma but she does not let me test on the right ear. Her left cooperates as does she - but tonight it was ridiculous. I had to try 5 times - 2 of those five just a tiny tiny bit and I rubbed to try and get more blood to surface but it was not having it. By the 5th try Bianca still let me do it but she was mad and while I got enough for a success BG it was just barley. Tips other than rubbing them and heat to get that blood out???? I am trying to work on the right ear, but she really jerks and says no to it.

I can't get Panzer's left ear to bleed at all. When this happens with Panzer, what you've described above, I start over I get my wet paper towel warmed up again, get a new lancet & try again. I usually get a lower number when this happens. It's harder to get blood from him when his number is lower for some reason. Keep trying your doing a great job

 

[Carrie Arrowsmith]

A lot of cats bleed better in one ear than the other. My China's left ear would bleed if I looked at it hard but her right ear was like getting blood from a stone.

Are you heating up her ear before trying to test? A small sock with some dry rice in it and tied off makes an easy heat source that can be used over and over. Just pop it in the microwave for 10-20 seconds (you'll have to experiment to see how long you need). Test it on the inside of your wrist like you would test a baby's bottle to make sure it's warm, but not too hot.

You can also use oatmeal if you don't have rice, or a pill bottle filled with warm water, or even a washcloth that's been soaked in warm water, squeezed out and put into a baggie (so you don't add water to the blood you're testing)

I am warming the ear, and rubbing it. The last 24hrs those ears just don't want to bleed. It just took me 6 tries and almost tears to get this PMPS, she was such a sport about it. I thought for sure I was going to be shredded alive but she just waited it out and was gracious to me.

 

[Carrie Arrowsmith]

I can't get Panzer's left ear to bleed at all. When this happens with Panzer, what you've described above, I start over I get my wet paper towel warmed up again, get a new lancet & try again. I usually get a lower number when this happens. It's harder to get blood from him when his number is lower for some reason. Keep trying your doing a great job

Thank you....I hate that I have to poke her so many times right now. It was high 404 SIGH. thanks for responding - it helps so much.