(((Summer)))... So sorry that you're finding this difficult.
Do try to remind yourself of your motivation - that you are doing this to
help Susie. You are doing a
good thing. And you really are doing a good job too. Honestly!
Please be kind and patient with yourself.
My first boy was very easy to test (once I actually plucked up the courage to try). My current girl was not easy at all at first. I felt that I was failing her, and I did cry a few times (which doesn't look pretty on a woman of my age, haha!
).
So often it's a matter of finding what works best for the individual cat. With my first diabetic I could just crumble some treats and test him while he was hoovering up the crumbs. Could even test him in his sleep. ...My current girl takes a bit more work, but we have found a way that works for us.
I'm copying and pasting some info below that I posted on the Caninsulin forum for someone a little while ago.... There 'may' be something here that is useful:
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With my current girl I use a mix of gently massaging the ear and using the rice sock. Her ears do not bleed easily
at all. So they take a bit more work than many kitties' ears do...
Before I even get the test kit ready I give her a little stroke, scratch her under the chin, and give her ear a quick little rub. That means the blood has a bit of a chance to get moving in the ear before I actually test her.
Then I put the rice sock in the micro to warm up and get the test kit ready.
My girl hates being held or restrained, and she hates her ears being touched (!), but I've found that I can incorporate a test into a little brushing/grooming session.
She usually goes to her favourite armchair when the she hears me setting up the kit because she's
learned that she gets brushed.
I sit next to her chair and give her a little cuddle and start to brush her, scratch her under the chin, etc. And I stroke her with the warmed rice sock because she likes the warmth. I've made my rice sock soft and squishy so that it fits comfortably in the palm of my hand. I stroke it over her head and down over her ear too, holding it there for a couple of seconds each time.
I feel her ear, and if it feels warm to my hand then I try a test. If it feels cool, I give her a bit more brushing, scratching under the chin, and sneak in a few gentle ear rubs.
I also sing to her. This probably sounds bonkers. But it is surprising how many people do this, and how it helps! It seems to calm both human and cat...
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HOMETESTING TIPS & TRICKS
1. WARM EARS. Probably THE most important thing. Warm ears bleed very much more easily than cold ones. You can warm an ear by massaging it, or by holding something warm against it; ie a pill bottle filled with warm water, or a ‘rice sock’ briefly warmed in the microwave.
2. MASSAGING immediately below the ear prick, with finger and thumb, can ‘milk’ more blood out. I almost always do this, if only for a second or two.
3. VASELINE. A teensy weensy smear of Vaseline on the outer edge of the ear will enable the blood to ‘bead up’ and stops it disappearing into the fur. This also makes it easier to see the blood droplet if the kitty has dark ears.
4. RESISTANCE. The lancet needs something to ‘resist’ otherwise it can push the ear away rather than pricking it effectively. Some folks use a piece of cotton wool or folded tissue. I use one of my fingers, but sometimes do accidentally take a blood sample from myself that way.
5. TWO EAR PRICKS close together can often produce enough blood for a test when one ear prick might not.
6. SCOOPING THE BLOOD DROP ONTO YOUR FINGERNAIL. Doing this is a game-changer for some people. If you can get that drop of blood on your finger or thumb nail you can then let the kitty go and finish the test without her/him.
7. TREATS. It is important to reward the kitty for each attempted test, whether the test was ‘successful’ or not. Cats very soon learn to associate tests with treats. And some will soon come running for their tests. A ‘treat’ is usually a food reward of some kind, but some folks reward their kitties with a cuddle or a grooming session. I actually crumble a few treats for my cat and test him while he’s hoovering up the crumbs.
Remember to reward yourself too. Chocolate is good…
8. GET COMFORTABLE. If you are physically comfortable you’ll be more relaxed, and also less likely to try to rush the process. Some people like to test their cats on a counter top or a desk, maybe next to a desk lamp. Some people prefer to hold their cats on their laps when they test. Some folks incorporate testing into a grooming session. You’ll find what works best for you. And once you get used to home testing you’ll quite possibly be able to do it anywhere, and maybe even while the kitty is asleep.
9. RELAX. Cats pick up on our moods. The more relaxed and ‘matter of fact’ we are, the more relaxed and confident the kitty is likely to be. Some people chat or sing to their cats while they test him. Try it. It might help you too.
10. PATIENCE. Be kind to yourself. You’re learning something new. (And you’re learning something wonderful!)
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I also wrote a few notes on 'desensitisation' that I'm copying here (again, just in case it's useful):
GETTING KITTY USED TO BEING TESTED - ‘DESENSITISATION’
Some kitties take to being tested like proverbial ‘ducks to water’, they are just not bothered by it at all. Other kitties take a bit more work, and with a minority of kitties it can take a quite a bit of dedicated effort to get them used to the process.
Please be reassured that ‘most’ kitties can be tested, and ‘most’ people can learn to do it.
One really useful way to get kitties used to testing is to ‘desensitise’ them to the sensations and sounds involved in the test process. And a really good thing to do at first is to get them more used to having their ears touched. So, whenever you are stroking or cuddling the kitty, or the kitty is trying to wake you at 4am by sitting on your chest and patting your face, use that opportunity to include very gentle ‘ear touching’ when you stroke them, just for a second at first. Make ear touching ‘ordinary’ and nothing to fear...
You can also go to wherever the cat is chilling out, then stroke them, hold or massage an ear for a second or two, and then immediately reward with a cat treat and some praise. This starts to condition them to associate ear touching with rewards.
You can also get them used to the test kit itself. For example, you can rattle the test strip container, or click the lancing device a few times (it can be used a bit like a training clicker), and immediately give the kitty a treat. Then just walk away, leaving them with their reward. They can soon come to associate those sounds with rewards just like when they hear the sound of the can opener...
I did these kinds of desensitisation techniques with my kitties about 6 or 7 times a day at first during the first couple of weeks. It only takes a minute or two each time, maybe only seconds. But that repetition is key to success. Repetition, repetition, repetition...
It can be often be helpful at first to test in the same place so as to establish a routine. I tested my first diabetic on a table top. I test my current girl in her favourite armchair.
You can get the kitty used to the test spot by taking or calling them there and just rewarding them with strokes or brushing, or treats.
Make the test spot a place where nice things happen.
If you can get the kitty to the test spot and hold or massage an ear for a second or two, and then reward with a treat and praise, you really are most of the way to being able to test on a routine basis.
Eliz
