Home Testing Novice

[SamZ245]

Hi Everyone!

My cat Buddha is 14 years old and his diabetes has been in flux the last several months due to various other things going on with him--so I have to learn how to do this at home testing thing. Did it once and it was less than seamless, to say the least. I am manually pricking rather than the lancing machine which freaks him out. I have a few questions I'm hoping to get some insight on. Thank you so much for your help!
1) Is it ok to use a topical analgesic cream like lidocaine before pricking his ear? The first time was awful and he's been through so much I want this to be as painless as possible.
2) is there a preference for pricking the inside or the outside of the ear? The vet usually does inside, and that's what I did the first time, but I'm wondering if there's a benefit to the outside instead.

 

[Kris & Teasel]

1) Is it ok to use a topical analgesic cream like lidocaine before pricking his ear? The first time was awful and he's been through so much I want this to be as painless as possible.

Many people here use Neosporin (Polysporin) antibiotic ointment with pain relief either before (to help the blood bead up) or after (to soothe) ear pokes. The ointment is better because it's petroleum jelly based so blood will bead.

2) is there a preference for pricking the inside or the outside of the ear? The vet usually does inside, and that's what I did the first time, but I'm wondering if there's a benefit to the outside instead.

Most of us poke the outside of the ear on the outer edge about 1/3 of the way down from the tip.

 

[Maggies Mom Debby]

There are some great videos and other information, including a photo showing the ear's "sweet spot", at http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/hometesting-links-and-tips.287/#post-1665 .

It takes a little while for both of you to get used to the whole testing routine. Once you are more confident and relaxed doing the testing, Buddha will be more relaxed, too. And remember, there really aren't that many nerves in the outer edge of the ear.

 

[Noah & me (GA)]

No 2 ears are the same. Noah's right ear has a 1% chance of success. On his left ear I can try ultra thin lancets, apparently painless but useless so I apologize to him and use a much thicker 29 gauge lancet (the higher the # the thinner it is, same with wire and steel plating). It hurts more but once and it's done.

If you right click the pic of the ear and click "save as picture" it will be yours forever.