How to better protect tender ears

[K. Sya and Sophie (GA)]

I'm new at testing...we just started April 1. I have a spreadsheet of my own...but haven't figured out how to post the google doc's one yet. (not the issue though).
So far testing is going OK in that she's not running and hiding...in fact she comes over for them (well...to be honest for the freeze dried chicken) and she still lets me mess with her ears in between times etc... and I really don't need to restrain her to test but there is some bruising on her ears (not real bad...I can just tell the spots where I've poked her). They don't seem to hurt her or anything.
I usually try to apply a little pressure afterwards..but that doesn't seem to make a difference.
I guess I'm just a little freaked out about the whole thing (she was diagnosed less than a month ago...its a lot to get used to)
Any tips? Is this normal?

 

[Olliecat]

One thing that I've found to be very improtant is to make absolutely sure your baby's ears are nice and warm. It makes your first prick a lot more successful. Something else I've learned by trial and error is not to try so hard to hit the vein in the ear. I've found that just pricking the outer edge will get the dot of blood you need for a tester that only needs 0.3 like most of the new testers are designed for. I purchased one of the lumaveins from the add here on the website but find that it helped me to lean too far towards the vein that was pretty ellusive a lot of times making me prick more than once.

There are a few posts in here that talk about the use of some creams to help the ear heal faster. Another one I read said if you're having trouble with long hair (or just plain hair) in the way, apply a very tiny amount of vasaline to the ears prior to pricking so that the blood will bead up instead of wicking into the hair.

My baby started running from me occasionally (I don't have a pet store close enough for me to find good treats) until I went back to catching the edges instead, it must not be as sensitive there...

Good luck! It always pains good people to ahve to hurt their babies - even if it is for a good reason. Try not to stress too much about it.

 

[Hope + (((Baby)))GA]

Always apply a little pressure after each poke.....stops the bleeding and minimizes the bruising. As the ear toughens up the bruising will stop. I have never put anything on any of my cats ears. I also only poke the edge, never even look for the vein, not necessary. It does not hurt the kitties to test them.

 

[Michelle & Prudence]

First of all - It's great that you're home testing! If you find that your cat is figuring out why she is getting treats... you can pickup your sugarcat while she is still in her cat bed or pick her up and put her in one then place in your lap to do the test. I found that Prudence likes it when I place a cold pack on her ear after I've tested. I either have the ice pack next to me and touch it until my fingers are pretty cold, then use my fingers on her ears, or if you have a small ice pack.. just put it on for a few seconds at a time. You can also use some vaseline like Olliecats mom mentioned.

If you use Google - You can click on someones SS and click on file and save as a copy to your doc. Then go back and fill in your info. You can try this:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=tlC_a80eaJbYhOYFG6HvZmA&output=html

 

[alexanne]

I'll say first of all I am in Canada which makes a difference to the appliances and costs. This is great information - I just posted on the subject of lancet device and clear cap. I am very glad that it is not necessary to look for the vein - I never thought that I could just put it on the edge. I am still fluffing around - I want to get the clear cap for my One Touch device which I have just recently put in as a new topic. I had sent a message to Dawn and Nova on that subject - she uses a lancet device - copy below of the note I sent her:

"Subject: Lancet blood testing

Sent: Wed Apr 14, 2010 1:00 pm
From: alexanne
To: Dawn & Nova
Hi Dawn and Nova - I have been on-line discussing the lancet device - I noticed in your post you said about "once you got it aligned" - if you have been looking at my last posts you will see that Larry said to use the clear cap which comes with the device - I am in Canada and I use the One Touch Ultra 2 - this handbook mentions the clear cap but says you have to get it from them. If you read my posts I did try to get it from them and they wouldn't send it since I told them it was for a cat.

My point is when you said about "getting it aligned" I would assume you don't have the clear cap for your device - instead of putting on the blue solid cap you have this clear see through cap which for humans is for use if you aren't doing it on your finger. You can use your palm or forearm. For cats the clear cap would be excellent and make it even easier to "align" on the vein as you can see through it like a window.

Just thought I'd mention it - maybe you do have a clear cap?"


I also posted on the concern about tender ears - I had tested my device on my finger - which really stung and I did it yesterday and my finger is still slightly blue. Of course it was pointed out to me that cats' ears are different from human fingers and I bruise easily.

A lancet device certainly seems much easier than free hand. I had called the One Touch people and they said they wouldn't send me the clear cap since I had told them it was for a cat. I called my pharmacist and she can get it for me, I am anxious to do my home testing and the clear cap will help to view the area. However, since I now know you can just put it on the edge the clear cap isn't so important. The One Touch has 1 to 9 settings. I had used it on my finger at 3. The settings however only control the depth not the force when you cock the device and then press release to push out the needle.

It is a lot to cope with but once you're organized and practice a little it will get easier and the ears will get tougher.

By the way my Peachy who has the diabetes is 14 years old - her companion a black male called Vegas is also 14 years old so I have two seniors on my hands - Vegas has other problems which I wrote about in the general health site.

 

[Hillary & Maui (GA)]

you can use any antibiotic oitnment - like neosporin and if you get with pain relief that's fine too.

after poking you can massage a bit of ointment on the ears, that will help with bruising and healing.

 

[Traci and Boomer]

My cat's ears are white and at first they bruised bad and I felt horrible. The more I test over time the less bruised they seem to get. It's wild. Same is true for having to warm the ears first - after some time I didn't have to warm them for him to bleed. I don't think it hurts them much - although I agree, I think it hurts - I've accidentally poked myself a couple times. Ouch. They can handle it. He's now "trained" and runs to the testing table when I call him. He also purrs through it sometimes. Funny! He loves getting his treat and I think cats just appreciate routine. I've never used neosporin.