Warming Hands and Ears Before Testing

[Bama Kitty Mom (GA)]

Many people use homemade rice packs to warm kitty's ears prior to BG tests but I found them to be problematic. Hot spots. Difficult to regulate heat levels. And they give off moist heat which could potentially burn kitty's nasal passages if he tends to like to sniff everything that comes near him like my kitty does. Ok, so I'm the one whose nasal passages got burned once when I sniffed them coming out of the microwave.

I found these gel packs on Amazon that are perfect. They perform double duty of heating kitty's ears as well as your hands if you are like me and your hands turn to ice in the winter or when you get nervous. They come as an 8 pack so you have extras if they get punctured or wear out. Pop one in the microwave for 10 seconds. Take it out. Give it a little shake and stuff it down into an old cotton sock or footie or mittens if you have them. Then gently massage kitty's face and ear or use two to make an ear sandwich. After a couple minutes the ear will be nice and warm and ready to prick.

 

[H.M. Victor (GA)]

Thanks for posting about this, as I've wondered how well those gel packs would work. We'll have to buy some when we can.

 

[Noah & me (GA)]

@Bama Kitty Mom (AL) Just out of curiosity have you ever been checked for Raynaud syndrome? My fingers sometimes turn blue and ice cold on a hot August day.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raynaud_syndrome
As a migraine sufferer I can attest to gel packs. I have quite a collection of the Velcro strap headbands.
You're right about everything; you get just the heat you need and no one in the house can accuse you of putting a sock in the microwave. We can buy those chemical heat pockets here, use once and straight to the landfill. I've asked the county about them, they're not very concerned.

 

[SOBrien]

Great idea, and thanks for the link . I’m going to give this a try.

 

[PussCatPrince - GA]

I use to use gel packs. Gave a nice even heat and not too hot.

 

[Bama Kitty Mom (GA)]

@Bama Kitty Mom (AL) Just out of curiosity have you ever been checked for Raynaud syndrome? My fingers sometimes turn blue and ice cold on a hot August day.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raynaud_syndrome
As a migraine sufferer I can attest to gel packs. I have quite a collection of the Velcro strap headbands.
You're right about everything; you get just the heat you need and no one in the house can accuse you of putting a sock in the microwave. We can buy those chemical heat pockets here, use once and straight to the landfill. I've asked the county about them, they're not very concerned.

Dickson, I've never been tested but would not be at all surprised if I have a mild case of it. If I get chilled from being wet [like when I come inside all sweaty from a run], my finger tips start turning white and feeling numb. I have to hurry to the shower to warm up. Thus far I've not gone to the rainbow of colors that many experience.