Ear Testing and Scabs

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Shai and The Pirate Fitz (GA)

Member Since 2012
I see there's another ear topic but I've got an additional question. Because my early efforts at testing were so dismal my poor kitty's ears are scab ridden, especially in and around the sweet spot. Here's my question - when I test I often have to poke through scabs. In milking her ear some of the scab comes off - can this contaminate my readings? If so does anyone have any suggestions on how to make sure no scab gets on the test strip?

Also by tearing away scabs I'm interfering with her ears healing. As wisely pointed out I need to do more testing more often but I'm also thinking I need to give her ears time to heal. Fitzel's ears are red, scabby and sore to the touch. I use the pain killing neosporin before and after testing as well as a during the day. I feel awful as this is my fault from earlier bad testing skills.

Any ideas gratefully accepted. Oh I also put pressure on the poke spot with the kleenex I use behind her ear when I test.
Shai
 
Awww poor Fitzel... sorry to hear about her sore ears :sad: I try to apply pressure for about 20 seconds, in addition to doing the neosporin, plus switching ears for each test, and rotating the spot on the ears up or down. Zeus has only once had scab doing it this way.

So I guess that's my advice if you aren't already doing so: rotate ears for each test, rotate up/down the spots on the ear, plus apply pressure for at least 20 seconds.

Good luck.
 
knolet and rhiannon - thank you for responding. I'm going to put the pain killing neosporin on more often during the day and keep an extra tube by my bed. Fitzel sleeps with me and when I get up during the night I can dab a bit on.

It helps a lot knowing I'm not alone with this issue.
Shai and Fitzel
 
Shai,
You don't have to just use the "sweet spot" either. You can use the whole edge of the ears.

Carl
 
Hi Shai! I think knolet is right above about applying gentle pressure to the ear after you are finished getting the reading. Do you do that? That seems to be key for me as Ninja does not have any scabs. I use those round cosmetic cotton circles on the back of the ear while I am poking. Then when I am finished with the test I fold the cosmetic cotton disk, half on one side of the ear and half on the other -- and squeeze gently for 10 or 20 seconds. This stops the blood and seems to prevent scabs. :)

PS: Great job getting that +4 reading yesterday. Fitzels numbers are looking really good!!!

Melanie
 
OMG - ohmygod_smile Thank you Carl - I guess I got sweet spot myopia and centered everything in that tiny spot. No wonder Fitzel's ears are not healing. I tested further up her ear and wala - had a wonderful blood droplet.

Melanie - so wonderful of you to take a look at Fitzel's SS and notice the +4. Thank you for your encouragement. It means a lot to me to have that. And I'm holding the kleenex to her ears a bit longer than I had been. She doesn't seem to mind - so I get in some extra good loving on her.

I need to say a very special thank you to Sherry; you've been beyond generous in your, literally, day to day, sometimes, hour to hour, help. I have no idea where Fitzel and I would be in this journey if not for your allowing my 24/7 phone calls.

It's my hope that somewhere along this path, I will be able to learn enough to pass along that guiding hand to someone and their beloved sugar kitty in the manner that this board has extended so generously to me and Fitzel.

Shai and Fitzel cat_pet_icon
 
Lol Shai-
Fetzel is a beauty - she is working her momma to the limit...just remember ECID (every cat is different) and more bg testing is always more info-...but btw YOU have been great at getting these tests in!!!!
(((Shai))) & ((fetzel- silly cat knows when I'm talking about you))
 
Shai: You should post some pictures of Fitzel so we can see how cute she is, or maybe add her picture as your "avatar" on the User Control Panel (profile....edit avatar). Would love to see what she looks like, scabs and all. LOL!!

:)
 
I would love to post some pics of Fitzel but I haven't a clue how to scale down the shots from my iPhone. I tried to put up one pic as my avatar but couldn't make it fit. I'm also not sure how to take the shots in my photos section on iPhone and get them to post on this site. confused_cat
Shai
 
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