Help With Ears Too Scarred To Get Tests Easily Now

Status
Not open for further replies.
Louellen

Louellen

Member Since 2015
I'm wondering if anyone can give me some suggestions on how to deal with scar tissue on ears.

I don't test as much as a lot of you do so, I don't understand why Morrigan has developed so much of the scar tissue. I can't shoot down lower because I can't TEST easily because her ears don't bleed well anymore. So, I'm very conservative and careful with how much I dose to be safe. (And, no...I don't get mid-cycle numbers often because of this.)

Anyways, I try massaging, warming, pressure after test and massage, Polysporin, Vaseline...everything everyone has suggested all along. I alternate ears (one bleeds a bit better than the other) so that there's equal testing on both.

Besides her VERY big Catitude...I test but, I am always on edge as to losing my face, hands and fingers. It takes 2 of us to hold her and now...her ears aren't bleeding well. (And, yes...she gets treats she loves afterwards, while shooting and even after she'd done everything and on the floor again...a pinch of organic catnip that she loves).

My vet's suggestion is to "not test as much". I've been trying to hold off all un-necessary testing as I'm not shooting down to lower numbers BUT...they can start creeping in here and there.

Anything any of you use to stop the scarring and help the ears get rid of scar tissue besides all that I'm trying as written above?

I haven't tried a pad prick BUT....just clipping claws takes me 3 or 4 sittings with her looking like she's going to attack and shred me...and she HAS! Trust me. Not a pretty picture or audio with the hissing and growling!
 
I've been having a similar bleeding problem with Colin, although fortunately he's very cooperative! Try using the larger lancets 25-28 gauge. Some, with less cooperative kitties, use the burrito method wrapping kitty in a towel.
 
I wish that I could offer you some advice that would work for Morrigan. I would suggest as Sharon 14 did above to try the larger lancets, but that won't help a lot unless Morrigan decides to cooperate. I would try the paws when you can. The burrito method works there too. When I do the paws, I wrap Shoes up in a towel and cuddle him on his back like a baby and he seems to like that.
 
Larry and Kitties said:
The ears "learn" to bleed the more you test. Are you applying pressure to the area you poke for at least 30 seconds? The tend to help.
Click to expand...


Oh yes, Larry and Kitties. I used to test a lot more than I do now and I've done Every Hour Curves for the internal med vet as well as her regular vet. I've been doing this for over a year and a half now. About 15 to 30 seconds worth of pressure afterwards too. It's not that I'm new to testing. Just that scar tissue is building up no matter what I do/don't do and that stops the nice blood flow. I've even tried new lancets, gauges etc.. (We won't speak of the larger gauge and The Exorcist Scene we go through!)
 
Ok, I have another question then since I think most people test a lot more than I do and don't have the issues that I am encountering.

Does anyone have an opinion on the One Touch Verio or Freestyle Lite meters? They tend to use a bit less blood than I need for the Bayer Contour Next. I believe that they use .3 or .4 whereas Morrigan's regular meter needs .6...not much of a difference I guess. However, I bought the strips for the One Touch Verio, got the meter free of course but, it's reading FAR higher than the previous meters I've been using (both Bayer) and gives a much less consistent set of numbers (I've tried both also on myself and it's WILD in the fluctuations from the same drop of blood just comparing it to itself...let alone with the other meters.)

I know most of our American friends are using the ReliOn from Walmart but, being Canadian....we can't get them up here.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top