ok, Reger has bloodless ears!

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Bluesmaven

Bluesmaven

Member Since 2017
I have tried several times to get a bead of blood from Reger's ear but I get nothing even after several attempts with 26 guage lancets. What am I doing wrong?
 
Did you try warming the ear first? Some people do that with a sock full of rice that they microwave. I run hot water on the corner of a washcloth and ring it out very well then hold that on Mia's ear a few seconds. Then, after the test, I use it to put slight pressure on the spot for a few seconds and wipe away any remaining blood. Warming really does make a difference. Also, make sure you are doing it on the edge of the ear - between the edge and the vein.
 
Warm or rub the ears. Don't be afraid to poke all the way through.
 

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Good job! Don't get discouraged if you don't get it next time, just keep trying. Dakota's ear won't bleed if it's cold at all. I use a rice sock warmed for 12 seconds in microwave. I only put it on the bottom side of his ear as it seems when I put it on top to warm it, his ear sweats making the blood spread instead of bead.

HUGS!
 
Bluesmaven said:
Thanks y'all! I finally got it, I use a warm wash cloth. His reading was 71 on a relion prime human meter. Maybe diet will work with him his reading at the vets was 615 when he was only eating dry food.
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Wow. You aren't currently giving insulin, I take it? 71 is a completely normal number, whoo-hoo!
 
The vet wanted to see if food would lower his bg without insulin first but he was pretty sure insulin was going to be in the equation, I am glad he doesn't have to have it now. I will still test regularly anyway just in case, can't take a chance.
Thanks y'all!
 
Noah's right ear is a vascular wasteland, it might not be that you're doing it wrong. Don't get discouraged, it's almost more art than science and I still have bad days after all these years. Having Reger trust you and you having patience will get you off to a great start.
 
yeah I am patient, and my nerves calmed down after I finally drew blood. Later Reger hopped up in my lap for lovins like normal. We're gonna make it through this I think.
 
I had to take a break from doing 2x/day checks, because Tons of Fun's ears were getting so raggedy feeling and he was getting irritated. So I gave him 2 weeks off, and we'll be starting back up again this weekend . He also is a non-bleeder, even with pre-warming. He gets so much praise when I can get a decent drop LOL
 
Cats who are not regulated yet are often dehydrated. They drink a ton and then pee it all back out. The dehydration makes it hard to get them to bleed. As they become better regulated, and better hydrated, it's much easier to get blood. Although at 71, that's probably not an issue. Just mentioning it in case it's helpful to someone else reading the thread some day. Cats on dry food, even just a little, are often under-hydrated as well, so as they transition off of dry food onto low-carb wet food, the testing gets much easier. Also, their ears get used to all the testing and sort of "learn" to bleed. So over time and habit, all of this becomes much easier. Hang in there! :bighug:
 
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