Help!

[Charlottefern]

Hello! I have yet to get a successful blood test from Niccolo after numerous tries. I've watched the videos, read the notes, but he is fighting it to the point of hissing at me. My Relion lancet makes the loud click that he has come to know and flees upon hearing it. I was to be attempting a curve today but am feeling defeated. I also have a two year old and four year old in the home making the process even more challenging. Does anybody have any wise or encouraging words for me? Not sure what to do... Thanks. I'm in N Portland, OR anyone else live here that might be able to help?

 

[Erika&Harrycat]

Hi Charlotte! I totally know how it feels to be wrestling a cat to sit still. I just started testing yesterday, and it takes me 3 tries for a successful test. I try and give my cat a treat before I start and then I put him in my lap and rub his ears and scratch under is chin for awhile and then I do a fast prick! He does try to scramble after I get a good poke out of him and when the blood comes he tries even harder to get away from me. Just be patient. It's a learning process for the both of you.
I have a 5 year old and a 3 year old and I totally know how hard it is to have it quiet when you're trying to test him. If you can, go to the kitchen and try to do it in an area that is away from the kids and just try to soothe him. I hope this helps!!! Good luck!

 

[Sue and Oliver (GA)]

It can be discouraging. If he doesn't like the click, you might try it freehand. Just use the lancet without the device and poke. So do you heat the ear, are using 25-27 gauge lanvets, put a tiny smear of Vaseline in it to help the blood bead, have something behind the ear to poke against and give a treat each time, successful or not? You can always get the blood on your fingernail in a pinch.

Yes, the videos ar encouraging and discouraging. They show cats who are used to the process and happy to oblige. But not every cat (or even very many) start from the beginning like that. We poked our poor Oliver for hours over 2 days before we got a drop.

 

[Sue and Oliver (GA)]

Charlotte, if you want, go back to your original post and Edit it to include your city and state. Maybe a member lives near you and could come help you get started.

 

[Maggies Mom Debby]

Here are my testing tips. I hope they help!

1. Find a place with good light to do the testing. I used a section of my kitchen counter because it's a good height and has under cabinet lights. I would put a towel down on the counter. Some people get the cat in between their legs while kneeling on the floor. Others use a couch or chair and put the cat between them and the arm. Others test in their lap. I sometimes tested Maggie in her bed.

2. Set out everything you need before getting your cat. I put the tesing strip part way into the meter, cock the pen.

3. Pet your kitty and massage the ear while you are petting him then use a rice sock to warm his ears.

4. Put a very thin smear of vaseline on the ear to help the blood bead up and not flow into the hair. I would talk to her and tell her she's being a very good girl.

5. Put something firm behind the ear - it gives a firm base to press against, and keeps you from getting poked. Some people use cotton balls, makeup sponges. I used a waded up paper towel. It was handy to put light pressure on the spot after it bleeds. A little pressure will stop the bleeding and reduced bruising.

6. Most lancet pens have adjustment for depth. I started with it almost at the deepest. I worked down to the next to the smallest. Some people don't use the pen, they use the lancet free-hand, especially if the cat doesn't like the "click".

7. Hold the ear firmly or you'll get the dreaded "ear flick" that send little spots of blood all over!

8. Some people use their fingernail to "scoop" up the blood drop, and test from the nail.

9. Don't forget the praise and treats!

It takes time to get the technique down that will work the best for you. And If you're tense, your cat will be tense. So breathe and try to relax. Don't give up. After a while it will become second nature. And Maggie would actually purr during her test, so I know it didn't hurt her. The thing she disliked the most seemed to be holding the test strip up to her ear - I think it tickled.

Oh! I would limit testing to 4 attempts. If you haven't gotten a reading, consider giving a reduced dose or try later. Still give a treat, though.

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

Here's something I wrote up for others...maybe it'll help you too!

It can be really helpful to establish a routine with testing. Pick one spot that you want your "testing spot" to be (I like the kitchen counter because it's got good light and it's at a good height....it also already blocked 2 escape routes due to the wall and the backsplash) It can be anywhere though...a rug on the floor, a table, a particular spot on the couch...wherever is good for you. Take him there as many times a day as you can and just give his ears a quick rub and then he gets a yummy (low carb) treat. Most cats aren't objecting so much with the poking..it's the fooling with their ears they don't like, but once they're desensitized to it and learn to associate a certain place with the treats, they usually start to come when they're called! Or even when they hear us opening the test kit!

You also have to remember...you're not poking him to hurt him...you're testing him to keep him safe and understand what's going on inside his body. There's just nothing better than truly understanding what's going on inside your kitty's body and with this disease, the more knowledge you have, the more power you have against it. The edges of the ears have very few pain receptors, so it really doesn't hurt them. Also, if you're nervous and tense, it's going to make your kitty nervous and tense too. As silly as it might seem, try singing! It forces you to use a different part of your brain!

It's also important to make sure his ear is warm. A small sock filled with a little rice and microwaved or a small pill bottle filled with warm water (check temp against your wrist like you would a baby bottle) works well

Finding the right "treat" will be a great help too! Freeze dried chicken, bonito flakes, little pieces of baked chicken...whatever low carb treat you can find that he really enjoys will help him to associate the testing with the treat! China's Achilles heel was baked chicken, so I'd bake a piece, chop it into bite sized pieces, put some in the refrigerator and freeze the rest to use as needed. It didn't take long for her to come any time I picked up the meter!

I also agree that if he doesn't like the "click", try taking the lancet out of the device and just freehanding it. That's how we do it