She's really starting to hate the testing

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smiley747

smiley747

Member Since 2015
It's been a while now and I don't test anywhere near as much as most of the people here do.
I was testing weekly. Now, with the different dietary and feeding schedule, etc. changes I have been testing every day, sometimes twice. That is nothing compared to most. She seems the opposite of most cats. She didn't mind it at first - now she is really starting to dislike me poking her ears. I give appropriate treats, pet her, all that - her reaction to it is getting worse - not better. I don't like putting her through it. This led me to think..In general, how much should we put our pets through? I don't think it's good to put them through all kinds of procedures for our own reasons. They don't even know why it's happening. poor fur babies..wish I had a magic cure for all of them xo
 
Just as a diabetic person would never administer insulin to themselves without first checking their blood glucose level, I would never inject my cat without first checking his BG level. That would be tantamount to playing Russian Roulette with his life. He is accustomed now to the ear pokes and, while I'm sure no cat enjoys it, most allow it, and it is a vital part of successfully treating their diabetes.


I agree with you 100%, I wish we had a magic cure for all our fur babies so they never had to endure illnesses and the treatments for them! :)
 
Squalliesmom said:
Just as a diabetic person would never administer insulin to themselves without first checking their blood glucose level, I would never inject my cat without first checking his BG level. That would be tantamount to playing Russian Roulette with his life. He is accustomed now to the ear pokes and, while I'm sure no cat enjoys it, most allow it, and it is a vital part of successfully treating their diabetes.


I agree with you 100%, I wish we had a magic cure for all our fur babies so they never had to endure illnesses and the treatments for them! :)
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I know. you're right. it's really important to do the testing. Just stressful because she was fine with it and now she seems to hate it more each time. she struggles and struggles to get away from me and she meows. poor thing.
 
smiley747 said:
I know. you're right. it's really important to do the testing. Just stressful because she was fine with it and now she seems to hate it more each time. she struggles and struggles to get away from me and she meows. poor thing.
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Poor little girl! Some people test using a paw pad, I've never tried it but perhaps your kitty would be more accepting of that? She's adorable btw, what's her name?
 
Squalliesmom said:
Poor little girl! Some people test using a paw pad, I've never tried it but perhaps your kitty would be more accepting of that? She's adorable btw, what's her name?
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oh no. she hates her paw pad touched. I think that'd be even worse. Brandy is her name. she's one of my shelter kitties - didn't know she was sick when I got her.
 
I didn't think my cat would go for that, either, lol, hence the ear testing! Brandy is certainly a pretty girl! Shelter cats are awesome, glad you rescued her. How long has she been with you? I have Bengal kitty I rescued from a shelter about two months ago. I love her dearly, but she definitely has some interesting quirks, including being a kleptomaniac; her name is Candy and my neighbor dubbed her Candy the Catburgler, lol.
 
Squalliesmom said:
I didn't think my cat would go for that, either, lol, hence the ear testing! Brandy is certainly a pretty girl! Shelter cats are awesome, glad you rescued her. How long has she been with you? I have Bengal kitty I rescued from a shelter about two months ago. I love her dearly, but she definitely has some interesting quirks, including being a kleptomaniac; her name is Candy and my neighbor dubbed her Candy the Catburgler, lol.
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I just got her in late June. I noticed she was sick pretty fast and vet confirmed. The humane society would have taken her back, but only to put her down. I have a Candy as well. We got her last Christmas as a kitten. She likes to hide socks and play with socks. whatever lol Candy was adopted with Mulder (kitten) same shelter. Scully (perfect match - x files lol) is 14 years old. My Molly is 10 years old - found her at an old job. And then came Brandy - the diabetic. Also, Casey (the only dog in the house - poor thing haha) adopted from the same humane society as Candy, Mulder and Brandy. Casey was adopted in 2003 as an adult dog. He's 13 years old now.
 
And I can not forget my original adoptee - sweet Gizmo. He was adopted in 1992 from the same humane society. He has passed. He lived for 21 1/2 years!
And then there are many many others through the years that are gone now that I took home "temporarily" to my Mom as a kid lol Katie, Crystal, cookie (lived with me for 18 years), skipper (all found on the streets)
 
smiley747 said:
And I can not forget my original adoptee - sweet Gizmo. He was adopted in 1992 from the same humane society. He has passed. He lived for 21 1/2 years!
And then there are many many others through the years that are gone now that I took home "temporarily" to my Mom as a kid lol Katie, Crystal, cookie (lived with me for 18 years), skipper (all found on the streets)
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It's so wonderful that you have rescued so many "forgotten" kitties! I am a huge proponent of humane, no kill shelters and TNR programs. I wish more people were like you, and helped save shelter kitties and pups! When I knew I wanted a second Bengal kitty, I refused to go through a breeder, I waited until I found one in rescue who needed a forever home. :):):)
 
Is one ear worst of the other? May Patches II does not like testing her left ear.She swipes at my hand. She is tolerant id testing her right ear. I only do here right ear now.
 
Larry and Kitties said:
Is one ear worst of the other? May Patches II does not like testing her left ear.She swipes at my hand. She is tolerant id testing her right ear. I only do here right ear now.
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Squallie also has one ear he's more tolerant of me testing. He will let me test the other one but he tries to pin it down to his head to avoid it, if he can.
 
Squalliesmom said:
It's so wonderful that you have rescued so many "forgotten" kitties! I am a huge proponent of humane, no kill shelters and TNR programs. I wish more people were like you, and helped save shelter kitties and pups! When I knew I wanted a second Bengal kitty, I refused to go through a breeder, I waited until I found one in rescue who needed a forever home. :):):)
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well sadly this humane society is not a no kill shelter, but they do a lot of good and I have gotten a lot of wonderful pets from them. That's great that you went through a rescue, not a breeder
 
Larry and Kitties said:
Is one ear worst of the other? May Patches II does not like testing her left ear.She swipes at my hand. She is tolerant id testing her right ear. I only do here right ear now.
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No. she doesn't like either ear. I do the pale ear more often because the other one is covered in black fur and makes it more difficult. but dislikes either one
 
Smiley, may I ask how you test her? I know alot of people have a special "testing spot." I never did that with Shiloh. She always seemed more relaxed if I went to were she was. Also, I don't hold her when I test her. She is great with the testing, but doesn't like me holding her ear after the poke while I get the strip to it. My husband, on the other hand, goes and gets her, puts and holds her in his lap, and he always has issues.
 
Luna's fine during the day but at feeding time she growls hisses and spits at me. I just firmly push her down and get the blood! She doesn't bite/scratch but she likes to act tough. It's for her own good I tell her but she don't listen.
 
Don't worry too much. My Juliet strated out the same way and though she's happy to get her before treat, I have to cage in her back side and gently hold her head or she wont be still enough to get the test done. But they still love you even afterward!
 
I'm so lucky, vegetable has no problem with me testing. Now when it comes to the actual insulin shot, she can be a bit picky but for the most part she's a very good sport!
 
Shiloh & Rhonda said:
Smiley, may I ask how you test her? I know alot of people have a special "testing spot." I never did that with Shiloh. She always seemed more relaxed if I went to were she was. Also, I don't hold her when I test her. She is great with the testing, but doesn't like me holding her ear after the poke while I get the strip to it. My husband, on the other hand, goes and gets her, puts and holds her in his lap, and he always has issues.
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Sometimes wherever she is if she's relaxed. Otherwise i take her to a spot. Either way it doesn't much matter.
 
Oh also I like to use some protein like ham or chicken as a treat. Worked well with Luna and I stopped after 2 weeks when she got 'used' it.
 
Bangkok hates to have his ears pricked and he struggles like crazy. I always need to have the petsitter with me for the tests. Even at the veterinarian's office, it takes two people to hold him down for the test. So I only do the BG test weekly and that's it. My vet does not micro manage and that's perfectly okay with me. I do run a lot of keto diastix tests, though, on his urine. That's so easy to do and I do it daily.
 
pevsfreedom said:
Oh also I like to use some protein like ham or chicken as a treat. Worked well with Luna and I stopped after 2 weeks when she got 'used' it.
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I do that also. I give her kisses, talk to her and try to do it as fast as possible and then I give her a very small piece of protein
 
Choo said:
Bangkok hates to have his ears pricked and he struggles like crazy. I always need to have the petsitter with me for the tests. Even at the veterinarian's office, it takes two people to hold him down for the test. So I only do the BG test weekly and that's it. My vet does not micro manage and that's perfectly okay with me. I do run a lot of keto diastix tests, though, on his urine. That's so easy to do and I do it daily.
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Oh wow. Mine is not THAT bad thank goodness. I didn't even think I'd be able to take her blood from her ear like ever, but now I seem to be able to get it done pretty good (not sure Brandy agrees) ;)
The vet did suggest a fine needle instead of a lancet because it works better she said. that's what they do at the vet
 
Also there's different gauges of lancet. I use 31 but I've heard 26-27 is easier from some. I'm just glad Luna is pretty easy. I did my 2 civvies a few days ago (because I was bored? curious? idk why) and they weren't too bad though a bit more of a struggle.
 
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