6/7 Jake AMPS 301 +8=322 ??? about ear scabbing

Jake has been acting very hungry yesterday and today - crying for food and being constantly at the food dish. Otherwise, he seems ok. I do have a question about his ears. Rather than bleeding readily, they are sometimes not bleeding well at all even when I poke in the "sweet spot" (that is now scarred and crusted from being poked so many times). has anyone else experienced this? Any suggestions?

last condo: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=16556

Suspect the hunger may be associated with the higher numbers. Hopefully the pattern will repeat and your due some green.

A lot of people use 'Neosporin' after they have poked-this apparently helps sore ears heal quicker and helps prevent infection.

Do you use a rice sock? Rice in a sock, warmed in microwave (check on wrist like babys milk that it's not too hot) and lay ear over top for about 10 seconds. This helps dilate blood vesels and gives a better chance of a first/second successful poke rather than taking multiple times.

Look at depth of lancet (I used setting 4) If do free hand-45 degree angle seems to be favoured (I could never get the hang of that so always used the penlet device)

Also after you get blood droplet, I used to use a wee piece of kitchen towel and gently press over the spot for a few seconds (also helps close the hole quick and prevent bruising)

Good luck :mrgreen:

Thanks for the good suggestions. I don't typically need a rice sock because his ear had been bleeding so well until lately. Good idea - I will try.
I no longer use the pen but just the lancet - going in at an angle may help. I have always bought the highest gauge lancet for sensitive fingers - maybe I need to try a lower gauge? Maybe his ears have become "hardened" to the poking? I always lightly squeeze his ear with a cotton ball (that is what I put behind it to poke). Sometimes I use ice or very cold water on the cotton ball and he likes that. Neosporin is a good idea -maybe I'll try again. In the past it caused the blood to thin - probly put on too much. It's just good that when he sees the glucometer, he usually starts to purr because he knows it is treat time.