Still no home test - help please!

[ZulusMom (GA)]

Please, I can't be the only person whose cat freaks out whenever I touch his ears! I have been trying to ease Zulu into the home testing for three days now - just clicking the device, trying to rub his ears with the rice pouch, giving him treats after - but every time I try to actually test, he freaks out, won't stay still, shakes his head, squirms away. I don't want to be too forceful or "kitty burrito" him, since then he'll just equate testing with stress, but every time I get the lancet anywhere near his ears, he just wants nothing to do with it. I am completely failing my fur baby. :-( I've watched video after video, but those cats are already used to the process. How do I get from here to there?

 

[TempestsMum]

Hello,
You are doing really well. Every kitty is different so,here's my take on it.

So at an educated guess, Zulu probably freaks out at the clicking noise. That's ok. Just don't use the machine. You can use the lancet by itself without the machine and freehand your poke. No noise then. It will still feel strange to him to have his ear poke done but he will (with patience) get used to it.

You are doing really well with all the other things, so keep those up.

 

[ZulusMom (GA)]

It's not the noise so much as me trying to hold his ear steady. He's not crazy about me rubbing it with the rice pouch either, but he tolerates it. As soon as I try to hold his ear still, he starts to get upset and when I try to put the device up against it, that's the end. It's like trying to hit a moving target that's only like an eighth of an inch wide.

 

[JanetNJ]

Skip the rice pouch.... Just rub the ear. Offer a snack he can't resist... Tuna, catnip, whatever his pleasure is. Skip the device, just poke. If you get a drop but he tries to get away scoop the drop onto your nail and test from there.

 

[FurBabiesMama]

I agree with the recommendation to ditch the lancet device, just hold the lancet in your hand, and do not worry about the rice pouch. When I started, it was a total nightmare, so try to trust me when I tell you it WILL get better. Do not hesitate at all when you do it. Be quick and deliberate. I do it on a level of the cat tower that is just below waist height for me. In the beginning, I would kind of put my arm over her when I did it. So, she was VERY lightly restrained but not so much that she really even realized it. I also found it very helpful to have her treat right there for her to focus on while I did the deed.

She has gotten so good about getting her tests. She jumps up in her tower for it, and sometimes, she does not even want the treat. She just lets me do the test then jumps down and goes about her business.

 

[Mogmom and Goofus]

I went thru this same thing with Goof. Not sure who cried harder, me or Goof. So I called the vet and after he talked me off the ledge, he said to try the paw pad. There's very little feeling and they bleed nicely. Good luck to you.

 

[FurBabiesMama]

That is the first person I have seen say they use the paw pad. I have always heard that is way more painful. I guess there are exceptions to every rule.
Here are a couple of links:
"Do NOT test your cat on its paw. Not only is it much more painful, but there is a risk of infection as your cat walks around, in and out of litter, etc."

"Please, never use the paw pad for testing your kitty – it is especially sensitive so the test is much more painful in that area, plus there is a risk of infection since kitty walks on floors, outside, in the litter box, etc. The best place (and least painful) is along the outer edge of the cat’s ear as outlined in the photo above. You can test along any edge, whether at the top or bottom, inside or outside of BOTH ears. Some owners take a razor and shave a small area on the ear if their cat is exceptionally furry. While you may think you are hurting your kitty when you prick their ear, please remember there are very few nerve endings in a cat's ear and he/she will be startled or annoyed rather than hurt. Keep in mind that things will improve very quickly; it is new for you both in the beginning."

 

[ZulusMom (GA)]

Thanks for the advice, everyone! I will try ditching the rice pouch and the device. Hubby is home with him today and I told him that he's welcome to try, but NOT before at least watching a video on it (my husband is kind of the type who will do something first, read the instructions later). Zulu is more bonded to me so I was trying to take the lead on things. We're scheduled for another vet appointment tonight, so at least we'll get a number, but I imagine it'll be high since he gets so stressed out there.

 

[vbc2000]

Perhaps it will take both of you to get it until he is used to it. My husband gently held him and spoke soothingly and I was persistent so we got it done. Tigger's a little stinker sometimes about it still but I'm more persistent and win!