Hi! New member, but not new to feline diabetes. I like to share helpful hints with other kitty parents!
To make it easier to visualize the area to stick and get a good blood drop for ear-sticks: get some of the dermaplaning tools they sell for people, and very gently shave away a little patch of fur on the edge of each ear (the sweet spot). It not only makes it easier to spot the area you are aiming for, but it keeps the blood from getting lost in ear fur. (My guy thinks he’s having a spa day, so tolerates it well, but I understand that some cats are sensitive about having their ears messed with.). Then, you only have to repeat the shave as the fur grows out.
Koda is a shorthair, but has “points,” so his ears are dark. Our previous diabetic cat (10 or so years ago) was a black DLH, and it was almost impossible to get a good stick on him — then to have the blood wick away through his fur! Back then, I used the regular electric razor on his ears but I don’t recall having any problems — just use caution.
This is an example of what I use, and you can find them anywhere including Amazon. Just be sure to use short, gentle strokes so you don’t cut the skin.
To make it easier to visualize the area to stick and get a good blood drop for ear-sticks: get some of the dermaplaning tools they sell for people, and very gently shave away a little patch of fur on the edge of each ear (the sweet spot). It not only makes it easier to spot the area you are aiming for, but it keeps the blood from getting lost in ear fur. (My guy thinks he’s having a spa day, so tolerates it well, but I understand that some cats are sensitive about having their ears messed with.). Then, you only have to repeat the shave as the fur grows out.
Koda is a shorthair, but has “points,” so his ears are dark. Our previous diabetic cat (10 or so years ago) was a black DLH, and it was almost impossible to get a good stick on him — then to have the blood wick away through his fur! Back then, I used the regular electric razor on his ears but I don’t recall having any problems — just use caution.
This is an example of what I use, and you can find them anywhere including Amazon. Just be sure to use short, gentle strokes so you don’t cut the skin.
