More testing tips?

A VERY frequent question on here is around how to test. Many/most newbies have problems at first.

There are many tips on the forum but they are scattered in different posts, so I put together a list of tips all in the one place. Wondered if anyone had any to add? Also would like a few comments from people who had issues at first to reassure newbies?

Testing tips

Thanks!


Wendy

1. I sit on the spare bed with Milo & hold him under my arm, with my elbow - like a set of bagpipes! This means I have both hands free, but he's being cuddled at the same time.
2. I sing/talk him through the process, and let him sniff & investigate all the different bits of kit.
3. I keep the treats with the testing kit. This means that even the nasty stabby lancets smell of yumminess. However, this also means that the testing kit is investigated by his sister, who has now become the official ear-poke audience & cheerleader. ohmygod_smile
4. He only gets treats after an ear-poke - whether it is successful or not, but not before (or he goes mental!). And so does his sister.
5. He never gets this kind of treat at any other time. It's only ever associated with a blood test.

I was petrified about giving blood tests, but I can now do one in a few seconds, when half asleep & half dressed. It's easier than injecting Milo.

It's also much easier to watch someone else do it first (thanks Elizabeth & Bertie!) so Youtube is a godsend.

That's an excellent list, Wendy. Great job!

I thought Bertie would be an impossible cat to test because he doesn’t like to be held or restrained in any way. But I found that if I crumbled a few treats for him to munch on I could test him quickly while he was eating those. He soon learned to associate tests with treats, and now comes running when I rattle the test strip container or click the lancing device!

Like Juliet (above) I never give treats except at test time.

I found the following link really helpful when learning to test (I thought the videos I'd come across were great, but wanted info that 'kept still' for a while because I'm old and slow... :roll: )

http://www.sugarpet.net/bloodtst.html

We don't have Neosporin in the UK but some of us here use a teensy smear of vaseline to help the blood to bead up and stop it disappearing into the fur.

PS. Really impressed by the sound of Juliet's 'Bagpipe technique' and think we need a video of that one! :lol:

Elizabeth and Bertie said:

PS. Really impressed by the sound of Juliet's 'Bagpipe technique' and think we need a video of that one! :lol:

Click to expand...

If I squeeze too hard, he makes the same noise..... :roll:

Dr Schrodinger said:

Elizabeth and Bertie said:

PS. Really impressed by the sound of Juliet's 'Bagpipe technique' and think we need a video of that one! :lol:

Click to expand...

If I squeeze too hard, he makes the same noise..... :roll:

Click to expand...

Oooh, that did make me laugh! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Sorry, Wendy...feeling frivolous because it's Friday...

lol!!! I updated the tips with all your great suggestions if you want to take a look?

Great job Wendy - can it be added to the stickies?

wendy, a sticky has already been made and can be found here: Hometesting Links and Tips.
let a moderator know if you have anything to add. we'd be happy to update or add to the document.