Ear Lancing Help

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MauiGuppy

MauiGuppy

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Hi all,

I've been hanging out more on the Lantus forum but thought I'd cross post on an ear lancing question.

I've seen alot of YouTube videos and read your posts on how to draw blood but I am having a really hard time with Junior! Here's the linkwith specific details on my challenges.

Would really appreciate any words of wisdom!

Thank you!
Bonnie
 
I don't know what else to tell you beyond the advice that is already floating around. I just wanted to pop in and wish you GOOD LUCK! though. :)

A little over a week ago I felt so guilty that I had caused a few tiny tears on the side of Noxin's ears (he sometimes pulls away RIGHT as I stick him) that I thought I'd try to figure out how to use the lancet device instead. But as much as I tried, it was a no-go :(. Maybe I'll try again some day.
 
Hope you get it all sorted out for Junior. I had a difficult time with Saatz too, had to burrito him a few times and he wouldn't sit still long at first either. He got the hang of it pretty quickly as soon as he figured out that his most favorite treat in the world was his after he got poked in the ear. Now he lays on his side for as long as it takes me, even if I have to poke 2 or 3 times to get a drop (he doesn't bleed easily yet).

Good luck, and feed lots of favorite treats!!
 
Awww, thanks for the well wishes Beggargirl!

And Deborah, I'm so jealous of Saatz! Junior's middle name is Matahachi, named after the best friend of a famous Japanese samurai. Matahachi was loveable but not too bright and a bit cowardly. I think it'll take awhile before Junior catches on but I'll definitely try to burrito him!

Thank you both!
 
My living space is very cool so it took awhile to get Maisey's ear warm enough to poke. I resorted to sprinkling catnip on a towel that I put on my lap after getting everything ready ahead of time. I also live alone and have arthritis. I found if I was poking with my right hand that left hand held the warming sock, that changed out for a cotton pad. When doing the changeout - i put my forarm on her back, rather between the shoulders, I found she couldn't wiggle away so easily that way. It sort of immobilizes her. I have often gotten the drop of blood off the top of my fingernail. You might want to look at the pages on the clothes pin trick/mohawk, meant to mimick mom carrying them.
 
Gracie was diagnosed earlier this month and I'm slowly getting better at doing the ear pokes. We already had a scratching post with a "cradle"/shelf on top like this: http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.j ... Id=4347899 . I covered the top with a blanket so it doesn't get splattered with blood, and pull it over next to the kitchen table so that I can pick up my supplies with my right hand and hold Gracie's ear with my left. She faces away from me and I kind of lean my left knee on the lower tunnel part of the post. I think the sides on the "cradle" help keep her from wiggling around, and I can hold my right arm across her back to kind of hold her in place. After warming her ear with a rice sock I use a flat cotton cosmetic circle on the underside of her ear while I poke the top of her ear (free hand like in the Youtube Buddy video). I can steady her chin with some of my fingers on my left hand and hold my right hand on top of her neck and head to try to keep her head steady. Today I bought some Neosporin/Pain ointment after reading about it here so now I put a little on her ear first, do the poke/test, and then fold over the cotton to apply pressure.
This scratching pole was in a different room until I started using it for pokes/shots. I'm really surprised that Gracie will go near it now, but she's started sleeping on it quite a bit during the day!
Good luck with Junior!
 
Oh boy. Well the only advise I can give is what I heard were I have succeed. If you havent tried or do these already... X)

1. Hotter the ear the better for me. I get wash cloth Hot with tap water. (not scalding hot. just hot.) And then put wash cloth in zip lock bag. That over & under ear and in 1 min or less it will be ready to poke. I warm ear and pet her head with her in her bed.
2. I do it when she is sleeping.
3. Watch Dog Whisperer... if you haven't already. Cats are the same, they sense your feelings, so be calm and serene the whole time with kitty. ;-) Love him he is the best!! Older episodes are better.
4. I put a Big flash light under her ear when poking so I can poke and see at the same time.
And 5. Maybe when you get blood, or poke it, put clear glass over his ear as he shakes his head and you can catch the blood??

That would be great to hear cats talk, I wonder what they would be telling us. hehe
Good luck and I said a prayer for extra help from the angels too. :)
 
Maui, that is super cool about Junior's middle name! Saatz-Su is a name I made up for my little guy when he was a tiny little thing. It would be really neat if in actuality it meant something in Japanese. and good luck with the burrito, I found a sheet worked really well for us if that helps at all!
 
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