My cat is going bald lol

[Mischa & Peri]

I’m pretty sure she is irritated that I’m always poking at her ears for the BG tests, so she is scratching at her head. This has caused her to have bald spots on the top of her head. I don’t think it’s anything else because she has been to the vet several times since it appeared and they probably would have mentioned something.

She has already had a habit of over grooming for several years now, which I’m fairly certain is stress related. So now in addition to a hairless belly and parts of her legs, she also has a bald head. If someone saw her and didn’t know any better they would believe she’s neglected or something. Little do they know I spent $1200 just on vet visits last month and dote on her several times a day.

Forgive me if there’s a better thread for this, but I’m just curious if anyone else’s cat also does this, and whether their bald spots went away once they got more used to the testing?

 

[Butters & Lyla]

Hey...so my cat didn't do this specifically, but she would do other things to let me know she was displeased with the BG testing, like pull away and shake her head, and flick her ears, swat at me, etc. Many things.
I personally found that once I was able to make testing a more pleasant experience for her, all of that went away. I always test her in the same spot and give her a tiny treat before and after each test (even if I didn't get enough blood), or I will brush her face before and after, which she loves. It is all about consistency, imo.

I also realized I was just too slow and heavy handed when I freehanded with the lancets. But I also had to get more experienced using the lancing device. I started out using it on the deepest setting (5) but eventually got it to the shallowest (1). Part of that is with more and more tests, the ears will bleed much easier. In the beginning, it was so tough to get blood from Butters's ears. Finally, warming up the ear very well first also helped: I use a sock with rice in it that I warm in the oven, others use a microwave.

As I got better with the testing, her behaviours around testing dissipated. Hopefully others can weigh in, especially if anyone else's kitty does the same thing as Peri.