Front or back of ear for testing?

Hello,
I just started home testing my two diabetics which has been going quite well. I've been pricking the ear from the inside, but was wondering if it also works from the outside?? It is sometimes that's a better angle if my cat is on my lap.
Thanks!

 

Either one. Oliver had dark ears so we used the inside because it was easier to see the blood.

 

I always poked from inside ear (front to back). I guess you could poke outside ear (back to front), I think it just may be a bit more challenging.

Also, if you have issues seeing the vein and where to poke, try a flashlight. It was so useful when poking Maui.

 

I poke inside; DH does outside. I poke the right ear, he prefers the left. :lol:

It's a personal preference thing - do what's easiest and most comfortable for you.

 

DH and I both poke from the outside - usually standing above / behind Tiggy. I support his ear with my finger - so sometimes I get poked too - just have to be careful not to mix the blood :lol:

 

Oh wow! I didn't even think of testing on the outside. You are so right that it is easier when they are on your lap. Yay! You learn something new every day.

Thank you Blue and Freddies Mom for asking this question :thumbup

 

I have always poked on the furry side (outside, I guess?) and never thought to poke from the inside. Interesting!

 

I have always poked from the outside because cats are less frightened when coming at them from behind. They get more intimidated when your hands are in front of them....they tend to want to back up and away from what is coming at them.

 

I have always poked from the outside, just easier for me to get the lancet device in place etc. I fold up a kleenex til it's about an inch or two square, and hold that on the inside of the edge of the ear to avoid finger pokes. (And it makes a handy way to staunch the bleeding right after).

 

I sit on a LOW bench, lay him on his back between my knees, rub his ear a few times, blow at it which makes him shake his head, fold his ear over my finger. then

I always use a lancet pen with a CLEAR cap. I hold the pen over almost any spot on the inside of his ear, I wait a few seconds until it turns pink (which I can see through the clear cap), press the buttton, hold pressure on about 2 seconds while enough blood comes out., carefully lift the lancet pen, and then use the glucometer.
This works like a charm 95% of the time. :thumbup

Hope this helps! cat_pet_icon

 

I too, poke the outside, because Checkers is always facing forward, and I'm behind him. It's easier to pet and scritch is head, while waiting the few seconds for numbers to come up.

 

Are any of your cats black? I would like to try testing from the back of the ear but afraid that I won't be able to see the drop. Can you see it?

 

If you are using a thin sheen of vaseline to help the blood bead up you should have no issues seeing the drop

 

Buzz is a tortie with black ears, and her brother is all black. He is a civvie but I have tested him once to make sure he wasn't diabetic too. As Jen said, if you use Vaseline/Neosporin, seeing the drop is no problem. I had trouble seeing the capillaries at first, but I would use a flashlight shining from the inside to the outside to help me see. Once you get used to where to poke, you will not need a flashlight.

 

Thank you Sarah and Jen. I am going to try this. dancing_cat

 

Thanks everyone, I guess either way works! Glad I asked the question. ;-)

 

I hope it works for you! Let us know.

 

We are, too. Ask away; that's what we're here for. Is home testing still going well for you?

 

Yes, it is still going well. One cat is super easy about it, the other gives me a little trouble but not too bad. One has actually lost weight (he needs to!) as I don't give him snacks anymore worrying about his blood sugar plummeting! I also recently took them off dry food so that's making a difference. thanks for your help!

 

I am glad to hear it's going well and that one of the kitties has lost weight. Keep up the good work.

 

The inside works best for me & Sweety. She has black fur. I didn't like the greasy look of the vaseline on her ears to keep it from absorbing in so fast, and she didn't like it either. On the inside I can see the drop very good against the white no problem. I play with her ears all the time and she does not mind it at all.