Ear vs footpad

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Scraps2011

Member Since 2011
Hi

I was just wondering what your opinions are regarding doing blood tests from either the ear or the footpad?

We've been trying the ear for a couple of days now with not much success. Despite warming the ear we have not been able to get a large enough sample. Add to this the fact that Scraps doesn't like having his ears touched and I'm considering giving the footpad a go...

When we first got him back from the vet he'd been shaved on the leg and neck as they were having trouble getting blood from him, so it seems we're not the only ones!

Anyone else exclusively use the footpad for bg testing?

Thanks!
 
We do have several people. They should be along. I would take the same approach- start messing with his foot and giving treats. I do think you will want the larger gauge lancet -25 to 27.
 
Here's a video showing Heather testing her late Raja via the foot.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdUqsCUAyKU

plenty of people use the paw if kitty will let it be handled. another one that comes to mind is Steph of Steph and Cuddles. you could probably search something like "testing the paw" or "paw testing" here on the board too
 
i don't know how long you've been trying the ear, and i don't have anything against testing on a footpad, but a couple of thoughts come to mind.

most people have trouble getting blood from the ear intermittently for the first couple of weeks. ears grow more capillaries where they've been poked, so the problem really resolves by itself before too long. after a couple of weeks you pretty much hit blood no matter where you poke.

have people given you all the tricks for poking? a warm ear is key - if the ear is cold you can't hardly get blood from it. you can warm it with a pill bottle of warm water, a wet washcloth inside a ziplock bag, a rice sock - doesn't matter what, but always start with a warm ear.

make sure you have the ear against a firm surface. otherwise there's too much give and the ear just bends away from the lancet. i use my finger behind, some people use a pill bottle, cotton ball, tissue on finger - anything that provides a hard surface.

you want a thin slick of vaseline (just barely shiny) so the blood you get will bead up and not absorb into the skin and hair.

neosporin ointment with pain relief is fabulous - slather it on at the end of the day or if you've done a bunch of pokeys and by morning the ear is basically healed. wipe off any excess neosporin or vaseline so you don't goo up your test strip.

always apply pressure to the ear to stop the bleeding once you've gotten the test. if you don't, it will bruise. then it really is painful.

poke in the area between the tip, along the outside to just above the foldy part. you're aiming for the tiny space between the vein and the edge of the ear. use a flashlight to help you see it.

always give a treat afterwards, even if you don't get blood. your poking still helps to build the capillaries, so don't feel like it's a waste. i did 3 pokes and then gave a treat & a break if i couldn't get blood. smear on neosporin to soothe it and come back later to try again.

i think that's my whole bag of tricks. no doubt others have some too. good luck. let us know if you need more help.
 
Scraps2011 said:
Hi

I was just wondering what your opinions are regarding doing blood tests from either the ear or the footpad?

We've been trying the ear for a couple of days now with not much success. Despite warming the ear we have not been able to get a large enough sample. Add to this the fact that Scraps doesn't like having his ears touched and I'm considering giving the footpad a go...

When we first got him back from the vet he'd been shaved on the leg and neck as they were having trouble getting blood from him, so it seems we're not the only ones!

Anyone else exclusively use the footpad for bg testing?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I NEVER use the ear. My cat will have absolutely anything to do with head touching in any way shape or form...has always been that way.

I don't use the footpad, but rather, the dew claw that sits just a bit higher. It works like a charm every time and like the ear pad pokers....we have our system down. He doesn't mind it a bit; actually picks his foot up for me at testing time!
 
I watched the video of Heather and Raja doing the foot pad test. I can't believe what a good cat Raja is, wow. How calm! My cats would be squirming all over! I'm impressed.
 
We soley do Footpad testing on Meow. He will not tolerate his ears being touched.
You will probably need a lancet that is between 25-28. And if you have a lacing device, set it to a higher number. We use a 3 on the Freedome lancet.
 
Just curious as to what folks think about the footpad being possibly more susceptible to infection because of walking in the litter box etc.? Thanks!
 
KarenAmelia said:
Just curious as to what folks think about the footpad being possibly more susceptible to infection because of walking in the litter box etc.? Thanks!
Click to expand...

If clumping kitty litter is used and deposits are cleaned out as they appear I don't think there would be a problem with the litter tray specifically but I would think the footpad would raise the chances of infection generally since it is being walked on. Would be interesting to hear from the footpad prickers as to their experiences, if any, with that.
 
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