Ear pricks need help

[TempestsMum]

im at the end of my tether...
I've watched countless videos, read so much advice about the best way to do this I think I could quite possibly write my own instructions without referring to any one else's.

My cat does not behave like the ones in the videos! They are good videos but none of them show how they 'trained' their cat to get to that point!

It's about a week since I started checking her bg. Started ok was not a huge issue.

Now it's going backwards and she's gotten reluctant. To the point I couldn't get one from her last night as she just wasn't playing ball. She now ignores her favourite treat - probably because she knows what's coming. I've sat with her without testing just playing with her and touching her ears but that just doesn't work. Now it's 0-grumpy if you go near them.

Her ears do look bruised to me, I've put some germaline on them a few times but to me they need a bit of time to heal. So today I'm going to keep testing to a minimum.

I know my kitty and if I start with burritos or restraints I'm going to be in for a fight everytime for the rest of her life and it will continue to escalate..

Please please help someone...

 

[Konstantina]

Hi! We've started testing our own cat three weeks ago. She already had one ear damaged since birth so we had only one ear left and that didn't seem to produce enough blood for testing so according to the bg tester instructions we started using her paws as well. Not that it's a lot easier but it gives her ear time to heal! Hope i was a little bit helpful! Good luck!

 

[TempestsMum]

Hi! We've started testing our own cat three weeks ago. She already had one ear damaged since birth so we had only one ear left and that didn't seem to produce enough blood for testing so according to the bg tester instructions we started using her paws as well. Not that it's a lot easier but it gives her ear time to heal! Hope i was a little bit helpful! Good luck!

Thank you Konstantina. I am not sure why but with the paw testing I think I might lose an eye.. I will watch some videos on it and see, but I do have to admit it didn't appeal to me when I read about it..It's a tough journey to start out on. I really appreciate your input though!

I hope things go well,with your kitty!

 

[Misterbeesmom]

I'm fortunate innthat my cat doesnt give me a hard time so i'm not sure i'll be helfpul to you but here goes. Maybe you're already doing these things:

Its hard but keep positive the whole time like its a game. Lots and lots of praise and loving throughout.
Put on your acting shoes. If you are anxious she might sense it. Cover that anxiety up and replace it with gentle determination.
Give treats after the draw - not during - as reward, even if draw is unsuccesful.
Maybe the goo you put on her ear is annoying. I dont use anything after testing.

Questions for you:

What gauge lancet are you using

Are you using lancet device and what setting is it on. If you are might it br thr sound/feeling of the device poking her that annoys her?. you may fare better not using the action of the device but by pricking manually. Or maybe the setting is too high?

Are you testing in the 'sweet spot' and then applying gentle pressure after the draw? The gentle pressure helps immensely with bruising. I bruised mr b's ears horribly when i was first learning and i felt really awful. Practice and holding the gauze gently on the spot after helps a lot. I hold the folded gauze so part is on top of ear and part on inside of ear, like a potholder holding a hot plate. Gentle pressure for just 15 seconds or so. Theni check to make sure bleeding has stopped.

Are you poking straight down? I have found going at an angle is much better. like maybe 30 degrees. Too shallow and it kinda bounces off the skin.

I'm sorry you're having trouble. Its really hard to do anything with a cat who is annoyed. I think all you can do is persevere and with time and practice and routine she'll settle down.

Paws are an option though i've never tried it. Like you i have a feeling it wouldnt fly.

 

[TempestsMum]

I'm fortunate innthat my cat doesnt give me a hard time so i'm not sure i'll be helfpul to you but here goes. Maybe you're already doing these things:

Its hard but keep positive the whole time like its a game. Lots and lots of praise and loving throughout.
Put on your acting shoes. If you are anxious she might sense it. Cover that anxiety up and replace it with gentle determination.
Give treats after the draw - not during - as reward, even if draw is unsuccesful.
Maybe the goo you put on her ear is annoying. I dont use anything after testing.

Questions for you:

What gauge lancet are you using

Are you using lancet device and what setting is it on. If you are might it br thr sound/feeling of the device poking her that annoys her?. you may fare better not using the action of the device but by pricking manually. Or maybe the setting is too high?

Thank you for responding
No I found it easier to hand prick as more control that way. The lancets are 28g I believe.

Are you testing in the 'sweet spot' and then applying gentle pressure after the draw? The gentle pressure helps immensely with bruising. I bruised mr b's ears horribly when i was first learning and i felt really awful. Practice and holding the gauze gently on the spot after helps a lot. I hold the folded gauze so part is on top of ear and part on inside of ear, like a potholder holding a hot plate. Gentle pressure for just 15 seconds or so. Theni check to make sure bleeding has stopped.

Are you poking straight down? I have found going at an angle is much better. like maybe 30 degrees. Too shallow and it kinda bounces off the skin.

I'm sorry you're having trouble. Its really hard to do anything with a cat who is annoyed. I think all you can do is persevere and with time and practice and routine she'll settle down.

Paws are an option though i've never tried it. Like you i have a feeling it wouldnt fly.

Yes as much as I can, but one of her ears is ripped from years ago and it's right where the sweet spot is so it's more difficult on that ear.
No I'm not applying pressure, she scoots away as soon as I jab her so have to scoop the blood off with a fingernail quickly. I will try that though and just hold her in place as soon as the test is done. I have a styptic pencil here I just got, hoping that will help. I was poking straight down ... But trying angles now.
Her ears are terribly bruised at the minute which is part of the problem I've been testing her lots. That's why I've been putting cream on to try to help with that. It's got a slight anaesthetic effect - I'm guessing it's similar to neosporin.

I need to get them to heal quickly and prevent more bruising. I've decided to test am and pm and +3 for the next few days to give them a break. Unless she drops lots and then I will test more.

She used to love he chicken now can't tempt her with it as she associates it with the bg test. I've no idea what else to offer her. But I've been playing with her and he mouse afterwards so hoping that helps.

 

[Misterbeesmom]

I use the 28g too. Aything smaller and i dont do so well.

My boy's ears are torn in spots too from when he was a tomcat. The tears are higher up but i know what you mea. Its a problem if they're in the sweet spot. I dunno if maybe venturing higher up or down might be worth trying? Still along the edge of the ear, but maybe with tears the sweet spot might be a bit different.

I dont know about stypic and if that is helpful or not. Not to press the issue but i still wonder if the gel isnt such a good idea. Thinking of myself, i hate it when part of my body feels a bit numbed and weird. Maybe she doesnt like it either. Technically/theoretically, these ear pricks shouldnt hurt, and shouldnt need any sort of pain remedy after. Again, i've had good luck with testing, and each cat is differet, but i'm just wondering, since you're kitty isnt having a good time with the testing.

Here are a couple lovely and excellent-for-diabetic treats that you might consider:

Origen freeze dried treats
Vitalcat vitalessentials freeze dried treats - my boy goes bonkers for the duck liver and the minnows

If you cant find them at a store, you can find them online. I like chewy.com

I'll be you find the gentle pressure after drawing will help a lot.

 

[TempestsMum]

Yeah she was quite lively and annoyed my ginger cat when she was younger - he tolerated her like a saint and one day she pushed him too far and he gave her a 'talking to' lol

Ok will leave off the cream although she seems to like me massaging it onto them oddly enough lol

I've just tested her although I sat over her this time - lots of yowling, but was over faster and held the cotton pad firmly but gently where I pricked her. She seemed keen to play afterwards so hoping she's forgiven me. After a few chases with her wand thing.

Oh thank you I will check them out and see if I can get them here.

Really appreciate your responses. Thank you.

 

[Misterbeesmom]

Yeah she was quite lively and annoyed my ginger cat when she was younger - he tolerated her like a saint and one day she pushed him too far and he gave her a 'talking to' lol

Ok will leave off the cream although she seems to like me massaging it onto them oddly enough lol

I've just tested her although I sat over her this time - lots of yowling, but was over faster and held the cotton pad firmly but gently where I pricked her. She seemed keen to play afterwards so hoping she's forgiven me. After a few chases with her wand thing.

Oh thank you I will check them out and see if I can get them here.

Really appreciate your responses. Thank you.

You're doing great! Things will get better.

Glad i could be of help.

 

[Misterbeesmom]

Btw, that pic of your pretty kitty reminds me of a soot sprite.

If you've seen totoro you'll know what i mean LOL

 

[TempestsMum]

Btw, that pic of your pretty kitty reminds me of a soot sprite.

If you've seen totoro you'll know what i mean LOL

Lol not seen it. Thats cute kinda looks like a black Tribble (Star Trek) I always thought she looked like Toothless she's very expressive lol

 

[Misterbeesmom]

LOL thats perfect. Yeah with her ears back in the pic ya can tell she's a character!

 

[Elizabeth and Bertie]

Hi @TempestsMum ,

I just posted in someone else's thread (about ear testing), but it's possible that some of the info may be helpful to you...
The link is here:
Trouble with ear prick

I know my kitty and if I start with burritos or restraints I'm going to be in for a fight everytime for the rest of her life and it will continue to escalate..

I was in the same situation. My cat was 6kg of 'pure attitude' and I knew I had to find a way to make it work for both of us. ....I did. And so can you....

Eliz

 

[TempestsMum]

Hello @Elizabeth and Bertie,
Thank you that was great I read through it.

Odd kitty! I had to get a bg this am - no choice! Not sure if it was the indignity of me holding her inbeteeen my legs or what but I had it done in 30 seconds with some yowling and only light restraint to keep her there! (Don't want to jinx myself here!) but the last 3 readings she was asleep and woke up yawned I lay down beside her and done in 20 seconds no restraint just a hand at her chest. It helps her ears were already warm so I just had to jab her. She yowled but only softly.

I adjusted where I'm pricking her to lower down on her ear, seems it's more comfortable for her there - prob coz I was ham handed and the top part of her ears are bruised. :/ I'm also jabbing her at a flatter angle @Misterbeesmom (grateful thanks!) and not going quite so roughly plus holding the site firmly for a few seconds.

Hopefully this is the start of the beginning of those perfect kitties you see in the videos!

 

[Misterbeesmom]

Hello @Elizabeth and Bertie,
Thank you that was great I read through it.

Odd kitty! I had to get a bg this am - no choice! Not sure if it was the indignity of me holding her inbeteeen my legs or what but I had it done in 30 seconds with some yowling and only light restraint to keep her there! (Don't want to jinx myself here!) but the last 3 readings she was asleep and woke up yawned I lay down beside her and done in 20 seconds no restraint just a hand at her chest. It helps her ears were already warm so I just had to jab her. She yowled but only softly.

I adjusted where I'm pricking her to lower down on her ear, seems it's more comfortable for her there - prob coz I was ham handed and the top part of her ears are bruised. :/ I'm also jabbing her at a flatter angle @Misterbeesmom (grateful thanks!) and not going quite so roughly plus holding the site firmly for a few seconds.

Hopefully this is the start of the beginning of those perfect kitties you see in the videos!

So glad you're having a better time of it!