Rice Smell?

So I am trying to go slow with Beast getting him used to getting tested before actually testing. I have been messing with his ears, clicking the lancet pen, heating up sock with rice, etc. Good grief, I was not expecting the smell the rice made! It was pretty strong and Beast did not want it near his head due to the smell. Does the smell go away or do they just get used to it? Maybe I used too much rice?

I was angry to find out the bonito flakes I ordered will not be delivered when I expected. USPS has them delivering on Friday. Seems Amazon is intentionally vague. Delivered by Monday means any Monday it seems.

 

How old was your rice? Sometimes rice, especially brown rice, can get a little rancid because of its oil content. That can smell more strongly when it's heated up. The smell should decrease with repeated heating or you can buy a new package and redo your rice sock.

 

It is white rice. It was in a container - maybe a few weeks old. It doesn't smell spoiled per se, just very strong steamed rice.

 

Rice warmed in a sock can have a weird sort of smell! If it's too off-putting, you could try other ways of warming the ear. My way was to take a small piece of facial wipe, rinse it in hot water, fold it into a smallish piece and hold it against the back of the ear. Worked well as not bulky and the wipe can be also be used to hold the ear where it's been poked and stop any more blood.

 

I think I might try that (not sure how he will respond to wet stuff) and also maybe warm up the rice a few times to see if the smell lessens over time.

 

Just wring the wipe out well so it's not actually dripping wet - that would be odd, yes. It may be a matter of trial and error to see what works best for you.

 

Thanks everyone. He seems to be a bit more chill, hopefully I can actually get back to poking soon.

 

I'll bet you're using a sock made with polyester - try using a 100% cotton sock. Polyester, when warmed, makes the rice 'sweat' eventually causing it to smell AND can create moisture that can transfer to the ear. That makes the blood spread instead of bead. Can you tell this is the voice of experience...

....and another little giggle...check rice sock for 'cling-ons' before putting in microwave...plastic/wire bread twisties melt rice socks, cause sparks and smell REALLY bad...

 

Oooh, they are Hanes so yeah they might have polyester - it did have a moist feeling. I will look to see if I have anything 100% cotton.

 

My Bertie hated the rice smell! As soon as he smelled it in the microwave he was off! ....Although I know it does work well for a lot of kitties.
I had far more success with a little pill bottle filled with warm water. But in fact a week or so into testing that wasn't necessary either, he seemed to bleed much more easily... A teensy weensy smear of Vaseline on the edge of the ear was a huge help though, helped the blood droplet to 'bead up'.

I've just recently started testing a foster kitty, and have tried to forgo the rice sock thingy, since she's nervous enough anyway... ...I have got a heated mat for her to sleep on though, which she absolutely loves, and which seems to warm her ears nicely...
.

 

...On the starboard bow?

 

You can also use barley, or dried corn. Corn is, of course, bigger and "lumpier", and it can tend to smell like popcorn. Overheating tends to bring out the smell of whatever grain you use. And all-cotton sock is definitely superior to a blend.

 

Thanks, I did forget about the pill bottle option. I will test that out as well. If that doesn't work I will try the other grains. I did have some amaranth in the pantry, but I was afraid of it popping like popcorn. 15 sec may not be long enough for that...

 

I make sure I hold my hands under hot water for a bit after washing them and then just use my fingertips to warm up my guy's poor little ear. One less thing to fuss with. And I can feel when the ear is warm. But that's just me and I can't say whether it would work for you.

 

Same for me. Reece HATED the rice sock smell (even using fresh rice in a cotton sock...), the pill bottle with warm water freaked her out (sloshing water by her ear? No thanks!), damp warm cloth (nope). Finally, I gave up on all of that and just kind of rubbed her ear a little while scratching under her chin with my other hand. I did click the lancet pen by her ear multiple times a day at the beginning, to get her used to the sound. After a couple weeks, blood flows much easier and she is much more used to and tolerant of all the ear handling.

 

Ah, yeah, Beast didn't dig the water in the pill bottle. I tried the other thing I had (Amaranth) and it didn't pop like I feared and surprisingly had a better smell, but Beast either disliked that as well or just doesn't trust me by his head. I will be glad when the treats come in. Maybe that will distract him that he won't care what I am doing. Might do like You and Tom & Thomas and just use warm hands. He surprisingly doesn't seem to mind the sound of the clicking, but touch his ear with it he tries to bite. That is why I am hoping the treat will distract.

 

How about making a larger rice (or whatever) sock and letting him sleep or cuddle near it, so he learns that the smell means warmth and comfort? We made a bunch of them for people-use (nothing like having a warm rice or corn sock down at your feet under the covers on a chilly winter night). The cats learned to like the warm socks, too. So if you use it to warm his bed, the couch, snuggle together with it, he might associate the smell with good times?

 

Great idea - rice sock hot water bottle! I had something like that a few years ago when I broke my wrist and found that warmth helped it - put some lavender in the "sock" as well as rice, and warm it in the microwave. Very comforting.

 

That is a good idea. I tried a heating pad and he just walked away while my other cat curled up on it lol. We'll get it figured out eventually.

 

The bonito flakes came in. Beast did not seem interested. Luckily they won't go to waste as my other cat seems to like them. I don't want to stress him by holding him down so I just figure I will test his ear when he is eating his wet food. I figure it will probably take a few minutes for it to spike his blood levels. Not ideal, but for now the only way he will stay still. I did have the lancet pen a bit too deep as it went all the way through his ear, but I got blood and a number. He is at 213. He growled, but he couldn't be bothered to bite. Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

Bummer about the bonito flakes. At least they won’t go to waste! I’ve been tempering Reece’s reaction to her injections with fresh poached salmon. Spoiled cat, I know, but it’s been working - she’s much less growly/bitey at shot time (smaller needles help, too). You could give that a try if you want to continue your hunt for treats.

Great that you got a number! Congrats!

 

Glad you found something to help with Reece. Beast does not enjoy the shots, but those are quicker to give. Hopefully with practice I can give the test quicker and it won't bother him as much. Might have to try salmon if it gets worse. So glad I went down to 1 unit instead of the 3 the vet originally prescribed.