Testing Problems

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StormysMom

StormysMom

Member Since 2017
I feel like I'm going to wear out my welcome with you wonderful people! It seems like I'm posting non-stop! Tonight's problem:

Getting a blood sample is horrid. I've watched all the recommended videos, made a rice sock, know where the "sweet spot" is but we still have a hard time getting blood. Poor Stormy's ear is all marked up from failed attempts and it's not a good experience for any of us. She cries out when I stick her but no blood comes out. She growls and struggles through the whole process. We're almost at kitty burrito time. Each time I've been successful I've aimed for the vein and gotten blood no problem. But I've heard this is painful -- but is being stuck a bunch of extra times any less painful?!?

Ready to hear any advice you have for us!
 
Are you using a large-gauge (26 or 28) lancet? The smaller ones (31 and above) are really too fine to use at the beginning before the ears "learn" to bleed.

If it makes you feel better, even the unsuccessful pokes are doing something by encouraging more capillaries to form in the area. Won't help in the near future, but later on, it will be much easier to get blood out!
 
Nan & Amber said:
Are you using a large-gauge (26 or 28) lancet? The smaller ones (31 and above) are really too fine to use at the beginning before the ears "learn" to bleed
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Yes, it's the ones that come with the Alpha Trak meter. I believe they are 28 gauge.
 
Have you ever tried paw pad testing? It's one of those things that is super-dependent on your cat's personality (my cat: no way!), but I don't think I've ever heard people complain about difficulty getting blood out.

Other than that, just keep trying on the ears. I found that in addition to warming the ear with a rice sock or whatever, it helps a lot to rub the ear "encouraging" the blood to flow up to the part you are poking. If nothing else, if Stormy finds that kind of thing pleasant, it can make the experience a little less upsetting for both of you if she enjoys that part, at least!
 
Are you using a topical ointment, like neosporin? You can spread a very thin layer of Neosporin ointment with pain relief on her ear before you poke; it helps the blood bead up (rather than dispersing through the fur) as well as providing a little pain relief and protection from bacteria.
 
Can your vet or vet tech do a demo with you and your furbaby to see if they might have a suggestion for a better approach?
 
A couple of thoughts:
Breathe, a couple of deep ones. Really! Being relaxed helps both the hooman and the kitty.
Make sure your hands are warm - run under the tap before getting the cat.
Heat your rice sock (baby sock with a tablespoon of rice - 15 secs in the microwave). Warm ears bleed much better.
Treats - freeze-dried chicken for kitty and chocolate for you. Three tries, blood or no blood, gets a treat and a break.
You can scoop the blood onto your fingernail and test from there. At first it is sometimes easier than seeing the precious bit of blood and looking for the metre, only to have the head shake and blood fly everywhere.
I used makeup removal pads (cheap!) to fold over ear and hold a few seconds of pressure.
 
Thank you for the additional tips! I haven't tried the neosporin so that may be my next steps. If nothing else, hopefully it will take the edge off the pain. The vet actually said he had a client that was willing to work with newbies on home testing so that might be an option for us too.
 
Added neosporin & treats this morning. No blood again (at least not from Stormy!) :banghead: I think we'll take a break for a few days. She's starting to get "traumatized" -- I think we both are!
 
First, you will never wear out your welcome! There are plenty of people on the board who have been exactly where you are and all have a little tip to offer.

Next: I would recommend not taking a complete break. Practise the routine. I have a little tray and have all the necessary things on it - metre, strips, pressure pad for ears, lancets, and treats. Pick your testing place and bring the tray and cat. Start by fiddling with the stuff on the tray and give the treats. Next day pick up the metre. Before long the kitty will associate the treats with the tray and you will both be more relaxed about the process.

Having someone come by and help might be a good idea. Sometimes just another viewpoint helps.
 
StormysMom said:
I feel like I'm going to wear out my welcome with you wonderful people! It seems like I'm posting non-stop! Tonight's problem:

Getting a blood sample is horrid. I've watched all the recommended videos, made a rice sock, know where the "sweet spot" is but we still have a hard time getting blood. Poor Stormy's ear is all marked up from failed attempts and it's not a good experience for any of us. She cries out when I stick her but no blood comes out. She growls and struggles through the whole process. We're almost at kitty burrito time. Each time I've been successful I've aimed for the vein and gotten blood no problem. But I've heard this is painful -- but is being stuck a bunch of extra times any less painful?!?

Ready to hear any advice you have for us!
Click to expand...

I really understand your feelings, and I agree it's horrid. Callie was diagnosed in November, but I didn't start testing till 2 weeks ago. It is one of the hardest things I've had to make myself do, and I've done some hard things. Fear of hurting her, doing it wrong, not having the meter work, the whole thing, having her hate me, but it really does get easier. Since I started testing, she has had a low BG a few times where if I would have injected we would have had a severe problem, so hang in there. Now I can't imagine injecting her without a pre-test, and I don't know how I did it for so long. The warm rice sock and the 26 gauge lancet both made a huge difference for us. And I do get her vein, but applying pressure stops the bleeding immediately.

Since I'm so new on here myself, I can't offer much advice, but you do have my sympathy. It really does get easier (most days). And then other days she runs and hides and I'm back on here whining about that.

Also you really can't wear out your welcome with these people. I still think I'm bothering them since I ask so many what I consider dumb questions, or I write when I'm in panic mode, and I get replies with so much understanding, expertise, and compassion. They've literally saved Callie's life and my sanity.

Hope your next testing goes well for you and Stormy. Have a great day!
 
Practise the routine. I have a little tray and have all the necessary things on it - metre said:
I think that's a great idea. I think I'm going to work with her on getting her used to her ears being "massaged" during a relaxed time like when we snuggle on the couch. Ms. Stormy ALWAYS forgives me after our failed attempts but I want to work on getting her trust back. I need one of those cats from the instructional videos that just hang out during the whole ordeal. I'd be fine then - haha!
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Huge congrats! :D Way to go! I, on the other hand, got as close to a growl as Callie gets, but we got it done. Back to you though, I am really glad for you! :bighug:
 
I've had to have help (either my husband or daughter)(On the rare days they get to sleep in, I hate getting them up just to help me test.) getting the blood tests since I was so crazy nervous doing it. I felt so sorry for anyone having to do it by themselves. So I'm excited that the past few days, I've been able to do the tests myself. Patting myself on the back here...;)
 
Glennie said:
I've had to have help (either my husband or daughter)(On the rare days they get to sleep in, I hate getting them up just to help me test.) getting the blood tests since I was so crazy nervous doing it. I felt so sorry for anyone having to do it by themselves. So I'm excited that the past few days, I've been able to do the tests myself. Patting myself on the back here...;)
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Please, pat yourself on the back! This is not easy! I watched all the tutorial videos and felt totally confident but my reality couldn't have been more different than what they show in the videos. But we'll make it work in our own way. One day at a time and by any means necessary! :)
 
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