Help! Hometesting Tips and Tricks needed here...

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One quick tip is a thicker lancet. Using a 28 gauge lancet pokes a slightly larger "hole" making it easier to get blood.

Warming the ear -- either by rubbing the edge of Reuben's ear or warming a rice sock, putting a damp washcloth or paper towel in a plastic bag and warming it in the microwave can help.

Trying the other ear -- one ear typically bleeds more easily than the other.
 
I bought a small flashlight which I put under the ear and can see the vein really well, plus it gives me something to exert a little pressure against when using the lancet. And it means I can see any bruises to avoid.

I use the lancet as is, not one of those automatic tool things that pop out when you press a button since it gives me more control.

I use ketodiastix. I wonder if she can get them on eBay but BG testing is the way to go. I also judge by pee size..bigger pee patches is usually bad news... Normal pees on litter seem to be around two inches in diameter when he is controlled but when he is drinking and peeing a lot they double in width.
 
well not sure how Reuben would be with his feet but if it were not for pawpad testing I would never ever have been able to test Do Lou at home my first 4 months of FD were running back and forth to the vet for testing since I had tried testing his ears at home and since he had always had allergies all his life ears always affected he could not stand his ears touched it was not until I came back to FDMB and came across the pawpad testing that I thought maybe and it of course took time but he could always care less about his feet and to add it took us a long time to work out a routine it did not happen overnight for us so we understand the frustration of having testing issues since I did give up when I first tried on his ears since he was a nightmare for us but I know most cats are tested on ears so it may just be a matter of the two of you getting into a routine and Reuben getting used to it.
With Do Lou I get everything laid out and ready and then get him he is so used to feet testing now. [youtube]OlyTgi5QCLA[/youtube] and to add NEVER FORGET THE TREAT
he totally expects a treat as soon as he hears the beep on that meter I do think the reward is so important into making this routine a happy one for you and your cat as you both get used to doing it :mrgreen:

a couple of you tubes one testing one is feet

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[youtube]kXyrKSJTlYA[/youtube]
 
FDMB used to have an offer for the Illumavein: http://illumavein.com/

A really really warm rice sock, a thick lancet, firmly pressing the lancet device against the ear and usigna deep setting (if using) works.
 
Hi,
I posted this in your LL condo, but here it is again. Hope it helps. It helped me.

. . . The blood flows from the tip of the ear down, so if you put some pressure (pinch the ear) just below where you intend to prick, the blood will well up a bit at this pressure "dam" and it will be easier to get a blood drop above the "dam". Putting a little Vaseline on the ear before the test will also help the blood to bead up.
Click to expand...

Best of luck!

Ella & Rusty
 
We find good light helps us be efficient with testing and able to use a little less blood too. We use a lighted headlamp that we got for hiking in Grand Canyon in the dark. The ones we have were about $30 from REI, but I suspect you can find them even less expensive.
LED Headlamp
 
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