? Sore ears

[Zulihomes VN]

Looking for advice and tricks on how to help kitty's ears . They dont seem to bother him but theres a small lump and scabs from all the ear pricking I've been having to do lately

 

[JanetNJ]

Try a little neosporin ointment with pain relief. After a test squeeze the ear with the cotton round few extra seconds to stop bleeding and prevent bruising.

 

[jt and trouble (GA)]

Janet has it right! Thats what we use to do. Good luck and give kitty some scritches from me

 

[Deb & Wink]

Some humans (and cats) are allergic to the bacitracin in the triple antibiotic ointment.

Are you aiming for the vein? or the edge of the ear like in this diagram? From Marje and Gracie's
Testing and Shooting Tips
Testing
We all know the basics:

• Warm the ear with a rice sock or a warm washcloth wrapped in a plastic bag.

• Either freehand or use a lancing device; new members usually start with a larger gauge lancet such as 28g or 29g until the ear learns to bleed; then progress to a 31g or 33g which are finer.

• Be sure to poke in the "sweet spot" and not the major vein that runs along the length of the ear. Poking the vein will not only hurt, but will result in a lot of blood. The sweet spot is on the edge of the ear.

But did you also know there is a particular way for the lancet to be used? It has one side that is bevelled so the sharpest part goes in first, if used correctly.

Do you poke at an angle with free handing the lancet?
Or do you use the lancet device?
Do you back up the ear with something firm, to give you something firm to poke against?

Ear Care
Since our kitties must endure so many tests, what are some ways to take care of the ears?

• Hold a wet, cool baby washcloth on the poke site immediately after the test to prevent bruising.

• Put Neosporin Ointment (not cream) with Pain Relief on the test sites after each test. It only takes a tiny dab and you can wipe it off before the next test. They are both oil and water based, The ointment has 80% oil, the cream has 50% oil.

• You can purchase Ledum 30C homeopathic remedy at any health food store. Dissolve one tablet in a small bottle of pure water and then apply one or two drops to each ear every day. Ledum is great for puncture wounds.