extreme bleeding with BG test

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s.sallaz87

s.sallaz87

Member Since 2015
Hi all.
So, I just checked snuggy's blood sugar. Same routine as usual. Same small prick directly into the vein. But tonight, it would NOT STOP bleeding. It flowed from his ear to the excess of 2tbsp or more. It was all over my floor, hands, his fur, and splattered onto the fridge from him trying to shake it off. After about 3 min of direct pressure (with my fingers because using a tissue or cotton ball didn't stop it and he was getting irritated) it finally slowed and has now stopped. But it bled solidly for about 10 minutes.
Knowing that there is a chance he has some sort of cancer proslcess going on, I am concerned that this is a sign the cancer is affecting his blood now. But I was wondering if anyone else has had this type of situation occur with normal testing - or if this may be attributed to diabetes itself.

I plan to call the vet tomorrow as snuggy's belly is still firm and distended and he has had diarrhea 3-4 times a day for 5 days now. He also threw up again on Saturday. Mostly water looking liquid even though I never see him drink or notice the water level in the bowl has gone down.

Any information, advice, reassurance or suggestions would be appreciated.
I hope all other furbabies on here are doing well.

Best in health
 
Poor Snuggy and poor you. Don't test the vein itself, aim for the area between the vein and the edge of the ear. You may need to "milk" it a little, but you should get just a drop of blood.
 
The same thing happened when I had taken my Tuxie to the vet for a follow-up. I brought my meter to compare it with theirs. The vet did the poke and there was blood everywhere!!! She had poked to vein rather than the capillaries around the vein. It took quite a number of minutes and lots of pressure to stop the flow. I have actually done the same once at home. It sounds like you hit the vein and if the ears were nicely warm then the blood really flows.
 
s.sallaz87 said:
Same routine as usual. Same small prick directly into the vein
Click to expand...
You actually do not want to aim for the vein....as @Tuxedo Mom @Ann said, you want to go for the capillaries around the vein....if they have not formed yet, basically just aim for right under the vein, it may take a few times to get it to bleed, but eventually they "learn to bleed" and it becomes a lot easier....

Also, make sure you are using a larger gauge lancet (the smaller the number, the larger the gauge) until the capillaries form, it will make it easier to get your drop of blood. I will say we have been at this with Skooter for almost a year and I still use the larger gauge myself.....

Sending lots of good vetty vines tomorrow, it sounds like it would be a good idea to get him in, maybe get an xray to see if they can tell what is causing his belly issues
 
If that happens again, you can use an ice pack to help. It constricts the blood vessels so helps stop bleeding. Don't put the ice pack directly on the ear....wrap it in a cloth and then just keep applying direct pressure
 
Thank you all so much for the support and advice. It was really scary. I finally got it to slow and stop - only to have it start again about 5 min late, when my 5yo yelled "mom! Snuggy's bleeding again!" :(

It wasn't as bad the second time around, and stopped quickly without me needing to even touch him or apply pressure. Thank goodness.

I had no idea about NOT hitting the vein. Was actually told to aim for it. So I'm shocked this hasn't happened sooner!

I called my local emergency vet, and I have to say, I am not impressed. Not only did they offer no sympathy or support, they even flat out refused to give me simple advise to stop the bleed. I could understand if it had something to do with giving drugs and, since they don't know him, would feel uncomfortable giving advise to dose him- but I was looking for run of the mill advise to get the bleeding under control (like the advice about the ice pack). It seems heartless to me. All business I suppose.

As far as snuggy's abdomen - we did an ultrasound and found his intestines to be dramatically thickened and the presence of multiple reactive lymph nodes. They are thinking some type of infiltrative cancer. So, sadly, snuggy's time with us is turning out to be more hospice than forever home.
I have accepted this now, and feel strongly that even though we may only have him for a short time, getting him out of a shelter and into a home was the right call. He deserves home and family and love for whatever time he has.
Best in health,
 
Your attitude towards Snuggy is amazing Sarah.....Wish there were a million more just like you...or 10 million

Snuggy doesn't know he's sick and doesn't care about tomorrow....he only knows that right now he's loved, cared for and the apple of your eye...and that's what matters
 
Thanks @Chris & China . its nice to hear that I'm doing the right thing because most people in my family and friends think I'm nuts for bringing a dying cat into the family and just think I should send him back... But I couldn't even BEGIN to think of doing that.
You are right. He doesn't know he is sick. Today (before the bleeding incident) he was playing with toys and jumping around and chasing my yarn ball while I knitted a cardigan... He loves to eat and play and just adores chin scratches. He doesn't act or feel sick at all. So, why should he spend his life in a shelter (even a wonderful one like hart)?
I couldn't imagine missing out on this joyous little kitten with his cutie pie antics - even though the road ahead is a hard one. What we have NOW together is worth whatever is to come.
Thanks again.
P.s. I'm SLIGHTLY nervous about checking his sugar in the morning. Having mild panic attacks about another big bleed. Is this rational? I don't dare give him a shot without knowing his number. I NEED to update his spreadsheet, I know. I have it all handwritten in a log and just keep forgetting to add it on here, but his numbers have been between 300-350 pre shot for the past week or so. But he has had one or two episodes previously where he was mid 100's and I didn't shoot... Don't feel it is smart to shoot without testing in light of that.
Thanks!
 
Avoid the vein and you'll reduce the output, though if there is a clotting issue, it may seep longer than some cats would. Always apply direct pressure on the hole to help it clot and to reduce bruising and scabbing.

If it is IBD or GI lymphoma, he may be more comfortable and maintain his appetite if given an oral steroid such as budesonide.
 
Sarah...if you've never read this, you should. It's a fable titled "The Loving Ones", but I've always liked to call it "You have chosen tears"

In a case like Snuggy's, it's so very true. I hope you enjoy it...although it still makes me cry when I read it (and Snuggy may surprise you and the vet and live to be an old sassy pussycat!)
 
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