Ricky showing signs of Neuropathy

[PamJV]

My Ricky has recently started with insulin 2 units twice a day about a month and a half ago. He seemed very much improved right away. He had the tests his vet wanted....glucose curve and fructose test. The vet was telling me Ricky's numbers from the tests show him to be right on track. Yesterday though I noticed quite marked signs that I looked up and found to be Diabetic Neuropathy. He is not walking with completley flat hocks but there is weakness to the feet and he's not up on the toes like a cat. He also slips on his back feet. And today I see him drinking but not eating.

Today I took him to my vet office where he did not get to see the vet that has been tending him but saw another vet. His glucose 3 hours after his morning dose was 235. The vet said this was OK because he was likely stressed there in the office. She told me to try doing a glucose curve at home when I can to test him when he wouldn't be as stressed as he is at the office. She went into a long explanation about how a cat could have neuropathy from getting too much insulin or from not getting enough. I don't remember it all.

I forgot to task her about Methylcobalamin. I called back once I got home and this vet did not appear to know anything about this treatment for Diabetic Neuropathy. Monday Ricky is due to get a heart ultrasound from an internist for his HCM that gets monitored periodically. I will be able to ask his regular vet on Monday. It doesn't appear they carry Methylcobalamin normally.

I really didn't think I'd have to be testing glucose at home but now see I will have to. I tried testing him at home today to see a half way point (6 hour post) value and could not get Ricky to sit still for me. He tends to run away if he sees I'm going to do something and up to now it's all I can do to get him to sit still for insulin shots. It would be a lot harder to get him to sit still for a glucose test first then a shot. What does one do when the cat will not just sit patiently enduring what ever one does?

Update: At about 8.5 hours past morning injection I did manage to do a home glucose test. I had to wait until my husband could help. The BG was 333. In the vet office it was easy to see the veins on the inside of the ear, but at home I can't see them at all. I still have not seen Ricky eat yet today, but he looks calm and normal.

Pam

 

[Yong & Maury GA]

That's awesome you have a Vet that is for home testing and curves at home . There was a discussion somewhere about the difference between Diabetic Neuropathy and Insulin Neuropathy. I'll look for it.

There are B12 (methylcobalamin) injections you can buy from a Vet, not sure about anywhere else, and a well-known supplement on the forum is Zobaline. Made by Life link. If you have a kitty that won't sit still, there are some desensitization exercises you can try.

To help see the vein in the ear, some use a small flashlight to locate it. You are not aiming to poke the actual vein but the space between the vein and outer edge of the ear. Home testing is the best tool for caring for your fur baby and their diabetes .

Also, what insulin is Ricky on? Signature information really helps here so we don't constantly ask you the same basic questions: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/editing-your-signature-profile-and-preferences.130340/

 

[PamJV]

That's awesome you have a Vet that is for home testing and curves at home . There was a discussion somewhere about the difference between Diabetic Neuropathy and Insulin Neuropathy. I'll look for it.

There are B12 (methylcobalamin) injections you can buy from a Vet, not sure about anywhere else, and a well-known supplement on the forum is Zobaline. Made by Life link. If you have a kitty that won't sit still, there are some desensitization exercises you can try.

To help see the vein in the ear, some use a small flashlight to locate it. You are not aiming to poke the actual vein but the space between the vein and outer edge of the ear. Home testing is the best tool for caring for your fur baby and their diabetes .

Also, what insulin is Ricky on? Signature information really helps here so we don't constantly ask you the same basic questions: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/editing-your-signature-profile-and-preferences.130340/

Ricky is on Lantus and prescribed 2 units twice a day. My current vet office apparently does not carry the Methylcobalamin, and didn't even know what it was. Is the Zobaline purchased via prescription? I suppose they could order what I want if they look it up.

Yes, I would like to know if Ricky's Neuropathy could possibly be from getting too much Insulin rather than not enough. But if he were getting too much then wouldn't his BG be lower? It was 333 after 8 hours. I will post what it is after 12 hours if I can manage. I am all thumbs. I can't imagine that he'd sit still while I draw up a dose that is based on on a BG reading ! Usually I have it pre drawn to give it to him quickly. And holding a flashlight....but then having to put it down to poke with the lancet would seem like I still would not see what I was doing. I hope this can get better. It's hard when I can't always get help to hold Ricky.

The other thing is this different vet told me to try feeding Ricky at set times right after insulin so he gets that just before food. But since he's been a free feeder his whole life, it will be hard to get into this pattern. If it weren't for him being diabetic, it wouldn't scare me. But it does scare me to think I have to inject and then hope he eats right away.....but what if he doesn't?

Pam

 

[Yong & Maury GA]

I'm still a newer member but I think BG can also stay high if the insulin dose is too much.

Typically we Test, Feed, then Shoot.
Test: To make sure BG is insulin permitting number.
Feed: Will raise BG little more before getting insulin.
Shoot: (At least for Prozinc) 15-30 mins after eating, give shot.

They don't know what Methylcobalamin is? That's scary lol. It's a B12 vitamin. B12 and Folic acid (like other vitamins, they need another to help get absorbed) are helpful for nerve repair.
Zobaline can be purchased on Amazon . Make sure to use smile.amazon.com or the Amazon link from this forum at the top scrolling messages

 

[Sharon14]

Here's some great info on home testing
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/hometesting-links-and-tips.287/

 

[PamJV]

I'm still a newer member but I think BG can also stay high if the insulin dose is too much.

Typically we Test, Feed, then Shoot.
Test: To make sure BG is insulin permitting number.
Feed: Will raise BG little more before getting insulin.
Shoot: (At least for Prozinc) 15-30 mins after eating, give shot.

They don't know what Methylcobalamin is? That's scary lol. It's a B12 vitamin. B12 and Folic acid (like other vitamins, they need another to help get absorbed) are helpful for nerve repair.
Zobaline can be purchased on Amazon . Make sure to use smile.amazon.com or the Amazon link from this forum at the top scrolling messages

What you describe was easy with my first diabetic cat who passed away in 2002. She ate only wet food or cooked chicken. She was always very hungry and ready to eat when served. But Ricky has always been a free feeding cat who would only eat dry food. He's very nonchalant about food, seeming not to care about it. He would go days without eating unless something was to his liking. I know people say one can train the cat by withholding all food except at the designated time but the thing is how to get on that regiment if it requires injecting even if the cat won't be eating at all ? I read on this site that it is possible to have a free feeding cat that is diabetic.
Pam

 

[PamJV]

Here's some great info on home testing
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/hometesting-links-and-tips.287/

Thanks. I have watched some of those videos. Their cats just sit there calmly. With my Ricky I can't even find him when it's time for insulin. So step one is finding him, and catching him. I'm starting out with a cat that is struggling to get away. They don't show those cases in their clips. This adds to the stress. Pam

 

[Yong & Maury GA]

It is possible for some kitties. Still take up all food 2 hours before pre-test so BG reading is not food influenced. There are only a few acceptable dry foods for diabetic cats: Young Again Zero / Zero Mature, Wysong Epigen 90, Evo cat and kitten (purple bag), and a couple use Nature's Variety Instinct (Raw I think).

Also, we do have a couple members that have to work with semi-feral kitties. I'll try to find and tag them for you.
Might have to do it tomorrow. I'm nodding off lol

 

[PamJV]

Here's some great info on home testing
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/hometesting-links-and-tips.287/

Tonight I tried to pretest before the insulin and it was a fiasco. I had my husband's help but we poked about 7 times and never got enough blood. Then when we finally got one tiny bit of blood he shook his head and it was gone. He's constantly flopping and flicking his ears. At this point, I think this is too stressful. The vet's demo in the office was perfect and got a nice big drop of blood the first time. Here we can't see any veins and no matter where the poke we get nothing. Even trying to squeeze is not working.
Ricky isn't my only sick patient, I can't afford to put hours of testing into this every day !

Very disappointed ! Pam

 

[PamJV]

It is possible for some kitties. Still take up all food 2 hours before pre-test so BG reading is not food influenced. There are only a few acceptable dry foods for diabetic cats: Young Again Zero / Zero Mature, Wysong Epigen 90, Evo cat and kitten (purple bag), and a couple use Nature's Variety Instinct (Raw I think).

Also, we do have a couple members that have to work with semi-feral kitties. I'll try to find and tag them for you.
Might have to do it tomorrow. I'm nodding off lol

After tonight's experience I doubt I will be home testing. We struggled for 30 minutes and got no blood. My vet prescribed Purina DM. It's fine. Ricky likes that. He likes all the low carb high protein dry foods.

Pam

 

[Sharon14]

I know it can be very difficult with some cats. Have you tried the desensitization technique? Off and on all day, catch him take him to the testing spot, but don't test just pet him and give him a treat. Do it as often as you can, rub his ear give a treat. When you're both comfortable with that, then add the poke. You must be relaxed because Ricky will sense your nerves. Also be sure to warm his ear and use a larger gauge lancet. Take a little break and try to relax. As far as food, Purina DM isn't too bad carb wise and Ricky must eat, so it's fine.

 

[PamJV]

I know it can be very difficult with some cats. Have you tried the desensitization technique? Off and on all day, catch him take him to the testing spot, but don't test just pet him and give him a treat. Do it as often as you can, rub his ear give a treat. When you're both comfortable with that, then add the poke. You must be relaxed because Ricky will sense your nerves. Also be sure to warm his ear and use a larger gauge lancet. Take a little break and try to relax. As far as food, Purina DM isn't too bad carb wise and Ricky must eat, so it's fine.

I was trying to use the kit provided automatic lancet. I just can't see it working with his ears. There isn't any food he would eat as a treat.

Pam

 

[Sharon14]

He doesn't like treats of any kind? Even high carb treats to start, like Temptations? How is he with your fooling with his paw pads? Some people test there. Lancets should be 25-28 gauge to start, if yours are higher gauge, that may be your problem.

 

[PamJV]

He doesn't like treats of any kind? Even high carb treats to start, like Temptations? How is he with your fooling with his paw pads? Some people test there. Lancets should be 25-28 gauge to start, if yours are higher gauge, that may be your problem.

The only treat he might like is condensed milk, but he's not supposed to have that. Today the vet had showed me to prick the ear by folding the flap inside out looking for the vein on the inside and pricking the inside. At home that was way too hard to keep him still and there wasn't enough flap to hold since the folding made it hard to work with. Then I looked at the videos again and see they are doing it by putting a cotton ball inside and pricking the edge without folding the ear back. So maybe this would work. I'll give it a try. But I can't easily get help from another person.

About the needle gauge I don't know. I was using the lancets provided by the AlphaTrak2 kit with the gizmo included. They are tiny and short.

Pam

 

[Sharon14]

The way your vet does it sounds complicated! Do try the edge of the ear known as the 'sweet spot', and warm his ear. The more you test, the easier it becomes because the ear will grow new capillaries and his ear will bleed more easily. If you can, go to any pharmacy and pick up some of the lower gauge alternate site lancets, that may help. And remember to take a deep breath and relax!(easier said than done I know).

 

[Yong & Maury GA]

28 gauge lancets come with AT2 kit. Lots of us here test by ourselves because we live alone, single kitty parents. Also, if he doesn't like treats, is there something else that he likes? Play session, grooming, etc? There just needs to be a positive reward after testing so he can associate the test with a positive experience

Tags as promised @Djamila @Caitlin M Two of my fellow prozinc members that had to do some desensitizing. There was another member but she hasn't been on for 2 weeks.

 

[PamJV]

28 gauge lancets come with AT2 kit. Lots of us here test by ourselves because we live alone, single kitty parents. Also, if he doesn't like treats, is there something else that he likes? Play session, grooming, etc? There just needs to be a positive reward after testing so he can associate the test with a positive experience

Today I gave his insulin at 9:00am. Did not have the guts to try the pre test, but then by the time 11:00am rolled around I was curious and thought I'd give it a try using the cotton ball and lancet held in my hand instead of the plunger. It worked ! I was able to get a blood drop without help ! It was way easier to do it as in the videos rather than folding the ear flap inside out as my vet showed. His BG was 288. I assume it would be good to test at the 6 hour mark to see the lowest point his BG would drop to? Any way this is just me trying to get used to testing. I know that a day long curve would be what is wanted.

Yes, Ricky would like grooming as a treat. I think it will be a matter of bringing him near the window where I can see the best for the ear prick. He seems happy right now, but still walking with some plantigait. I ordered the Zobaline.

Pam

 

[Sharon14]

Congratulations!!!!!

 

[PamJV]

Tested at the 6 hour mark and his BG was 152. Then tested after 12 hours and BG was 512 ! Does it sound like insulin needs to be increased?

 

[Sharon14]

Hi Pam, can you set up a spreadsheet so it will be easier for you, your vet and us to see what's going on? It's possible that you need to increase a bit, but I think the 512 may be a bounce from the lower numbers he saw today. If you need help setting it up just ask and someone will do it for you. After that it's simple to fill in.

 

[Dottiepark]

Pam, does your lancet plunger have an adjustable depth? Mine does, and I had best results with it on 4, the deepest penetration. I originally had it on 2 because I didn't know better, and all that time I think I was just making Tubby mad! ("What is that infernal ticking noise in my ear?") Luckily Tubby is an agreeable cat so shooting and home testing has not been difficult. KEEP AT IT! Home testing showed me he was actually in remission. Good luck!

 

[PamJV]

Hi Pam, can you set up a spreadsheet so it will be easier for you, your vet and us to see what's going on? It's possible that you need to increase a bit, but I think the 512 may be a bounce from the lower numbers he saw today. If you need help setting it up just ask and someone will do it for you. After that it's simple to fill in.

The 152 was his nadir 6 hours after his morning injection. So why would there be a bounce from that? I thought that the desired nadir measurement would be around 100 and <150. That's what I've ready in the links posted here. So I thought this is the desired low point.

From what I've found on the web they say a perfect curve for a well regulated cat starts out at about 300 then 6 hours after injection, reaches a low point of 100 and then gradually goes back up to 300, 12 hours after the first injection. Not that numbers have to be exactly like that but on that order.

Is there a link here about spreadsheets?

My vet had told me to keep Ricky on 2 U, but on my own I increased to 2.5 U along the way. Did I cause this problem then? But his readings look high to me and he's got neuropathy.

Pam

 

[PamJV]

Pam, does your lancet plunger have an adjustable depth? Mine does, and I had best results with it on 4, the deepest penetration. I originally had it on 2 because I didn't know better, and all that time I think I was just making Tubby mad! ("What is that infernal ticking noise in my ear?") Luckily Tubby is an agreeable cat so shooting and home testing has not been difficult. KEEP AT IT! Home testing showed me he was actually in remission. Good luck!

Yes, it has adjustable depth. I will do some experimenting.
Pam

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

Is there a link here about spreadsheets?

Here's the Information on getting the spreadsheet

If you have any trouble with it, feel free to send me a private message. I'd be happy to set it up for you. Just click on my name and choose "Start Conversation"

From what I've found on the web they say a perfect curve for a well regulated cat starts out at about 300 then 6 hours after injection, reaches a low point of 100 and then gradually goes back up to 300, 12 hours after the first injection. Not that numbers have to be exactly like that but on that order.

For people who aren't home testing, that's probably pretty normal advice.....but we like to get them into normal numbers so the pancreas can heal and that means trying to keep them in normal numbers as much as possible (50-120 on a human meter, 68-about 150 on a pet meter)

With Lantus, it takes 5-7 days before you're going to see the true effects of the dose you start on....and after that, you have to hold the same dose for at least 3 days (6 cycles) to let the "depot" settle and see what that dose is going to really do.

So why would there be a bounce from that?

Bounces are caused by 1. dropping too low, 2. dropping too quickly, 3. dropping into numbers the cat's body just isn't used to (or any combination of all 3).....the 152 might not have been "too low", but if he dropped from 300 to 150 in 2 hours, that's a fast drop that could trigger a bounce.....or if his body has been living in the 300's-400's for awhile, 152 doesn't feel normal to him anymore so he bounced.

 

[PamJV]

Here's the Information on getting the spreadsheet

For people who aren't home testing, that's probably pretty normal advice.....but we like to get them into normal numbers so the pancreas can heal and that means trying to keep them in normal numbers as much as possible (50-120 on a human meter, 68-about 150 on a pet meter)

With Lantus, it takes 5-7 days before you're going to see the true effects of the dose you start on....and after that, you have to hold the same dose for at least 3 days (6 cycles) to let the "depot" settle and see what that dose is going to really do.



Bounces are caused by 1. dropping too low, 2. dropping too quickly, 3. dropping into numbers the cat's body just isn't used to (or any combination of all 3).....the 152 might not have been "too low", but if he dropped from 300 to 150 in 2 hours, that's a fast drop that could trigger a bounce.....or if his body has been living in the 300's-400's for awhile, 152 doesn't feel normal to him anymore so he bounced.

He went from 288 to 152 in 4 hours, not 2 hours. I gave insulin at 9 am, then tested 11am = 288; 3pm = 152; 9pm = 512. My tests where not a full curve with tests every two hours obviously.....wish I had a 9am test there, but the 3pm was the 6 hour mark. I would have liked to test this morning today to confirm if he starts out pre shot with a 500 reading but today he was fighting it a lot. I have an appointment to take him for a heart ultrasound today so he might be nervous seeing the carrier out or he senses something is up.

I will attempt doing a true glucose curve with testing every 2 hours over a 12 hour span this week when I have a calm day. I don't think that 152 was an abnormal low. One thing I've wondered is why did he seem so well regulated on only 2 units in the beginning first month, as far as his appearance and energy and walking ? This makes me wonder does the need get greater as time goes on? Or could it be that my injections are sometimes not going in right or could the insulin have lost effectiveness? I opened the bottle on Feb 2nd. Most of my injections were in the back of the neck area.

It was so strange how I couldn't get a blood drop today. When he feels the prick he immediately moves his head before I get a chance to push in enough. I tried it with the plunger first set to 4 and that didn't work.

Pam

 

[PamJV]

For people who aren't home testing, that's probably pretty normal advice.....but we like to get them into normal numbers so the pancreas can heal and that means trying to keep them in normal numbers as much as possible (50-120 on a human meter, 68-about 150 on a pet meter)

Just want to clarify what you mean there. When you say (68 - 150) would that be the aim for the nadir reading on a Pet Meter? Or are you saying that you aim to have a curve that goes 150 - 68 -150 ? No matter what you do, you have to have a curve if it's a 12 hour insulin, don't you? Pam

 

[Sharon14]

Hi Pam. It's hard to tell what's going on, sometimes too much insulin can look like too little and sometimes it's just that he needs more. The spreadsheet will help us determine that. Get it set up, if you need help Chris can do it for you, just send her a message. Then start posting in the Lantus forum where there are lots of people to help you. In the meantime go to the forum and read the yellow stickies that explain how Lantus works. Also, set up a signature that will tell us your insulin, meter, what food your feeding and any other health problems or meds Ricky is on.

 

[Caitlin M]

Hi Pam! Yong tagged me a few days ago, I'm sorry for such a late response! Before I spout of info, how is testing going? Have you tried any more? Let me/us know please!

 

[Phoebes (GA)]

Today I gave his insulin at 9:00am. Did not have the guts to try the pre test, but then by the time 11:00am rolled around I was curious and thought I'd give it a try using the cotton ball and lancet held in my hand instead of the plunger. It worked ! I was able to get a blood drop without help ! It was way easier to do it as in the videos rather than folding the ear flap inside out as my vet showed. His BG was 288. I assume it would be good to test at the 6 hour mark to see the lowest point his BG would drop to? Any way this is just me trying to get used to testing. I know that a day long curve would be what is wanted.

Yes, Ricky would like grooming as a treat. I think it will be a matter of bringing him near the window where I can see the best for the ear prick. He seems happy right now, but still walking with some plantigait. I ordered the Zobaline.

Pam

Waaaaayyyyy tooo goooo Pam!!!!! That's a huge step. Good job. It does get easier. I am new member as well. It's scary but it's more scary to think of a hypo episode. The people here are very knowledgeable and patient. I sing a little song when I was doing it to begin with because Phoebe did not like it. Like happy birthday. Or you are my sunshine. Any song works. It relaxes you both. Take deep breath. Have everything laid out and ready. Might try burrito him in a towel. Breathe. Breathe breathe. It will be ok and you are being a wonderful bean to help your furbaby.

 

[PamJV]

Hi Pam. It's hard to tell what's going on, sometimes too much insulin can look like too little and sometimes it's just that he needs more. The spreadsheet will help us determine that. Get it set up, if you need help Chris can do it for you, just send her a message. Then start posting in the Lantus forum where there are lots of people to help you. In the meantime go to the forum and read the yellow stickies that explain how Lantus works. Also, set up a signature that will tell us your insulin, meter, what food your feeding and any other health problems or meds Ricky is on.

Sharon, Ricky's cardiac ultrasound went well in that they said there were some slight improvements. Then later I got to speak to the vet who was the one tending Ricky on diabetes Feb - March. He said the same thing you did that his 512 reading could have been a bounce. He explained that with the readings I had that day we can't know if his low point was 6 hours after injection or farther out and that perhaps Ricky's glucose dipped very low and then spiked. So I see what you mean. I had been assuming that the 12 hour acting insulin would always reach peak at 6 hours out, if that's not the case then that changes things.

When I told him that I started having trouble with Ricky fighting the ear pricks, he told me that probably the day when I was able to test 3 times it was because Ricky wasn't expecting it, but once he knew what the cotton ball in the ear meant he began to flinch before the needle even pricked him. So he said to wait a few days to let him calm down and then try doing a glucose curve over a 12 hour period.

I went back to 2 units instead of the little extra I was giving. I am nervous about the task of the glucose curve.

Pam

 

[PamJV]

Waaaaayyyyy tooo goooo Pam!!!!! That's a huge step. Good job. It does get easier. I am new member as well. It's scary but it's more scary to think of a hypo episode. The people here are very knowledgeable and patient. I sing a little song when I was doing it to begin with because Phoebe did not like it. Like happy birthday. Or you are my sunshine. Any song works. It relaxes you both. Take deep breath. Have everything laid out and ready. Might try burrito him in a towel. Breathe. Breathe breathe. It will be ok and you are being a wonderful bean to help your furbaby.

That day when I was able to test 3 times and it seemed to go well, could have been a fluke. Then I tried the next morning and couldn't get him to cooperate. He's anticipating the needle prick before it even happens. I take it that my technique must not be right yet. For right now I'm waiting a few days to let him calm down from his cardiac ultrasound and the bounce, and will attempt a glucose curve as step one.

Pam

 

[PamJV]

Hi Pam! Yong tagged me a few days ago, I'm sorry for such a late response! Before I spout of info, how is testing going? Have you tried any more? Let me/us know please!

Caitlin, I was able to test 3 times on Sunday, but then tried next day Monday and couldn't do it successfully. I was to take Ricky in for a cardiac ultrasound that Monday so it was a nervous day. Right now I just want to be able to do a glucose curve at home. Then with that see what my vet says. So I'm thinking over how to make that work.
Pam

 

[Sharon14]

Try desensitizing Ricky. Take him to the spot where you're planning to do the tests several times a day and just pet him and give him a treat- no test. Then add an ear rub then treat and release. Do this as often as you can throughout the day/night and soon he will anticipate the treat and you can add the poke, just remember to always give the treat even if you aren't successful with the test.

 

[Caitlin M]

Caitlin, I was able to test 3 times on Sunday, but then tried next day Monday and couldn't do it successfully. I was to take Ricky in for a cardiac ultrasound that Monday so it was a nervous day. Right now I just want to be able to do a glucose curve at home. Then with that see what my vet says. So I'm thinking over how to make that work.
Pam

Awesome! So first, as Sharon said above-mentioned try to desensitize as much as possible. I hope you're bringing him to the same spot each time you try to test? Pita went through a great phase, then a rough phase, and now he's (fingers crossed) back to being good again. I tried the singing as I tested in the beginning to calm my nerves and it did help. Try that for a bit. Or I also put on classical music each time so I had something else to focus on. When Pita went 'rough' he also knew when I was about to poke. I believe I held his ear a bit differently before I tried, so he began to back away or move every time. I then tried to burrito him in a towel which worked a couple times but realized he remains calm when he's able to still move. I cried and got so frustrated that I'll be honest- my temper started to rise as well which in turn made us both angry. I tried to remember that this is no fun for him either, regardless of whether he can feel it or not. Now, to what I currently do. I use a rice sock and hold it to his ear while I pet him and give a few treats (just low carb dry food). I have everything all set up in front of me before I begin. I tried the lancet device but couldn't see where I was aiming, so I just hold the lancet itself. I actually take the top off and hold the end in my teeth, so it's closer to me while I warm his ear. When I think his ear is ready, I give him a few more treats, use a calming voice and try to poke. Even today, it took me two pokes because he moved away. After I see blood I wipe it with my finger so I get a good drop, then actually put the strip on my finger. I then hold a pad to his ear, give him a couple treats and kisses and put some ointment.
I think just try to bring him to the same spot each time. Rub his ears whenever you can and either give a treat and/or pets and use a happy 'good job' voice! Believe it or not, every time I open the drawer where I keep it all, Pita comes up, sits down and starts purring. So even though he may not always like it, he's already 'trained' to get ready. I PROMISE it will get better. If you have any other questions feel free to PM me

 

[Djamila]

Arg! I totally missed the tag on this too! I just saw it now because I decided to read through this thread. My apologies for being late to the party! Yes to everything that Caitlin said. That was a great description!

I would also add to let him show you what he needs. Where does he go when he runs off? is there someplace else he would be more comfortable testing? Is there something comforting you can bring to the testing place? My civvie (non-diabetic cat) likes to be zipped into my old college sweatshirt before being pilled (smell? hiding place?). Sam likes to stick his face in a pot of cat grass (this is a new thing for him - but ya gotta go with what works, right?). He used to like having his stuffed mouse with him during testing. And then the catnip banana. Now the grass. They can sometimes show us what they need/want during stressful times.

And I can't emphasize enough the importance of warming the ear first. There is no blood without the rice sock here. It's just too chilly. Warming his ear first (and even that took some training) is absolutely essential to getting blood to come out. Otherwise I'm just piercing his ears a bunch of times.

And Caitlin's experience with sometimes-it-works, sometimes-it-doesn't, was my experience too. It took awhile before I felt like I could count on getting a test. So hang in there, and ask lots of questions. We all have things that we've found to work for us, so while some suggestions might not help you at all, hopefully something here and there will be the just the right trick for you and Ricky.

 

[PamJV]

Awesome! So first, as Sharon said above-mentioned try to desensitize as much as possible. I hope you're bringing him to the same spot each time you try to test?

Ricky sleeps a lot in the day time. I wish I could just do a quick test on him while he sleeps instead of waking him up and carrying him to a different spot. Lighting is bad in most places too.

Pam

 

[Djamila]

If Ricky will tolerate it, I think it's fine to do the test wherever he is. The "special place" idea is helpful for some cats, but do what works best for you and Ricky. Any chance you have a headlamp for hiking/camping you could use? Or a floor lamp you can drag over?

 

[PamJV]

If Ricky will tolerate it, I think it's fine to do the test wherever he is. The "special place" idea is helpful for some cats, but do what works best for you and Ricky. Any chance you have a headlamp for hiking/camping you could use? Or a floor lamp you can drag over?

It will take experimenting. Ricky's favorite spot is in the middle of the living room floor where I will often brush him or bring out his toy box. But I doubt he'd be OK with me taking him to that spot 6 or 7 times a day to do a glucose curve. I guess a lot depends on me developing the skill to prick his ear without hurting him.