Need advise on calming Mika in order to test

I'm having a terrible time attempting to test Mika. This is all new to us and very stressful. She's the farthest thing from a lap cat you could think of. She only gets held when she wants to, on her terms. She can be extremely fiesty and becomes scared easily. I don't have someone to help me hold her during testing. Shots I have been able to administer while she eating. Recently she's been so ravenous and crazed for food that when I come home there is now way of testing her before her meal/shot. Any ideas on calming her down? I was thinking of getting catnip treats for her to munch on..hoping that would calm her down enough to get the test done. Thoughts?

 

If you let her start eating a treat, can you 'sneak' in a test? It takes several minutes for the food to impact blood glucose, so if you could test just as she started eating a treat, it would not throw off the results.

 

Catnip treat is good, boiled chicken is another good one but another thing tho' - YOU are nervous which Mika reads thus she is nervous. When you start getting everything out to test, start singing - yep SING. Doesn't matter what, ABC song, made up silly verse, nursery rhymes, just sing. Singing releases natural calming chemicals into your body helping YOU calm down. In turn, SHE will calm down. Sing all the way thru it...sounds silly but please try it.

 

I'd suggest treats and crooning or singing . Also to not make eye contact too much .

 

HAHA! What?!

 

Whadayameanwhat?

I have found that looking & so giving away intent gives the ole pusscats the heads up that something is going down. I always chunter away innocently as though I am not up to anything suss . That includes my body language and so eye contact . I adopt no direct eye contact .

 

I can’t make eye contact but I agree you have to be very sneaky! (Blind kitty) Baby somehow knows what my intentions are. Be calm, yes I sing a lot now. It takes my mind off of what’s going on & they can’t read you.
I have a very similar cat, desensitizing helped. I took Baby to the testing spot several times a day. I didn’t test but pet her & praised her & a treat. Eventually she didn’t hate that spot so much. It does work. Patience & calm...good luck & it will be routine in no time!

 

You are 100% right! I'm so nervous. I've got the shot down and i'm good with them, but not with the testing. I will start singing! LOL i have "baby shark" permanently in my brain from my kids so there you go..LOL i'll put it to some good use!
Great news though, last night i was able to test!!! i laid everything down on my desk, brought her down with me (she was much calmer last night than the previous night), sat her on my lap and tested. my hands were shaking!! i really need to calm down. maybe i should take the catnip or a glass of wine before i do this. ha ha... But we got it done and i couldn't tell you how happy i was!! i gave her treats afterwards and gave her tons of kisses and snuggles. She was at 300. I fed her and shot as she was eating. I slept like a baby last night, first time in a long while, knowing that she was good. SO appreciate the help and tips on here!!
K

 

btw, the kitty in your profile pic looks SOO much like my husband's kitty, Buddy, that we lost 2 yrs ago. he was such a sweet boy. I could have done anything to that cat and he would have just sat there and let me.

 

I’m so happy that last night was a success! Wine & Baby shark!! I’ve wondered if a little catnip would help calm the nerves...lol

 

ha ha! thank you! i will try it out! i know what you mean that they totally know you're up to something!

 

Thank you so much! i've designated my office as the "testing spot" since it's a spot that she really likes to relax in. i'll continue to take her there and give her a treat even if the testing doesn't go my way. So appreciate the support!
K

 

'Tension Tamer' tea has catnip in it as do several other tea blends. Yes, it can help calm the nerves.

 

WOOHOO!!! Huge dance! Good job!

That cute boy as my Avatar is Dakota my current 'extra sweet' boy. He's now nearing 18 years old, been diabetic close to 10 years. He's had failing kidneys for 3 years but we're still plodding along.

HUGS! You got this!

 

Sweet boy... keep chugging along Mr. Dakota! hugs to you!

 

Ok then!! Who knew?!? I will def try smoking some tonight! Just kidding! Celestial Seasons.... ok thank you.

 

Well done K.

See ! You are a natural.

M

 

Thanks M! We've had repeated success! I just finished testing her a few minutes ago and it went great. i'm staying much calmer and feeling much more confident.

 

Oh lord, this'll be me soon and I'm NOT looking forward to it - LOL, but I'll try anyway! God bless you and your Mika girl, good job!!

 

I’m so glad to hear that the testing is getting easier! It isn’t easy at first & just like other things we get used to doing that’s new... it becomes natural. Great job for sticking with it & it just shows how much you love your girl...

 

here's her spreadsheet so far... i work full time so unfortunately testing in between shots is not possible. today we got a better number and i noticed she isn't ravenous anymore hopefully we'll start seeing more numbers in the 200's preshot.

 

I see you've had great help here and it's getting better but I'll add this anyway for anybody else who reads this thread.

I discovered Bach Flower Rescue Remedy, a natural calming formula, at a cat show because one of the women showing her cat for the first time used it to calm her cat. I think it should be harmless. You put it in food or water with a dropper. If you decide to try it I would use very very little and then increase it. I have seen it sold online for as low as $10--maybe Amazon, don't remember. My local co-op sells it for $15 in the pet section. I have also used Feliway, the pheromone spray, because they use it at the Vet's to spray on a towel, never directly on the cat or close to the cat's face. Be careful if you try to buy this online because there are imitations. It contains alcohol that dissipates leaving the pheromone scent. Some cats get really calm. Others I think are not phased by it at all. I would never use the plug in diffuser, especially if you're away a lot. I ordered one once, looked it over, sent it back.

I know you need help calming her now so the immediate things I would do would be singing softly, putting on very gentle music or rain sounds if you have that kind of thing (if you stream music you could surely find some), and importantly putting the lights low and of course, sitting with her, breathing, calming yourself and her. Whatever her favorite toy is give it to her. I don't know your cat but from my own experience, first, I totally understand how stressful it is, and second it takes time. It just does. Both at the moment and over time. It will get better with time if you make the time. My diabetic cat now comes to me when it is time for blood check and shots. I also improved the experience learning the hard way that using the thinnest syringe for shots (31 gauge needle ultra thin needle and finally the right insulin for us) made a huge difference for us both.