Two questions about glucose checking

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SpencerLindley

SpencerLindley

Member Since 2017
I noticed that when I go to check my Ballonee's Glucs that the lancet, even though it's set on the lowest number, sometimes goes right through her little ear :( Is that what's supposed to happen? I just feel so bad.

I've also read about some people applying neosporin to their cats ears after. I couldn't find neosporin but I picked up some polysporin with pain control and the pharmacist said it's pretty much the same thing. Would that be okay to use? The vet used Vaseline should I stick to that just to be safe? Should I put the ointment on before or after the check?

Sorry for the question overload! I just have so much to learn

Thank you
 
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Good morning!

Ear piercings aren't ideal, but not the worst thing in the world-- they do heal up. Are you using the lancet device? Some folks find it easier to control the poke by freehanding with the lancet, so that might be something to try.

Polysporin is fine. You want the ointment rather than the cream. Usually, I dab it on after the test, but you can also use it like the vaseline beforehand to help the blood bead up (put a little on, wipe off the excess to leave a thin layer of greasy stuff).

How is she feeling?
 
I have pointed through my cats ear many tines and it never caused a problem but as Nan said, try a freehand poke. Your cat must have thin ears to go through on the lowest setting.
 
We use the high setting on the poker/clicker device. We had too many failures on the low setting. It may go thru the ear a bit. Leo doesn't seem to mind. I always dab with a paper towel and warm water. In the past 2.5 years, that's it.

Also I use a folded paper towel pad on the back of the ear during the ear prick to prevent it from getting my finger.
 
I've gone through Teasel's ears by accident many times and it doesn't seem to hurt. They heal over very quickly.
 
It's not as tragic as it looks, we've all done it. Sometimes I can get a sample from the inside of Noah's ear, depends on how furry the ear is.
Same as Jeff; "I always dab with a paper towel and warm water./Also I use a folded paper towel pad on the back of the ear during the ear prick to prevent it from getting my finger.
And I use these BD lancets (free hand) for their softer feel and better grip.
bd_lancet_01.jpg
 
I've poked through Dave's ears quite a few times already and he doesn't seem to mind whatsoever. Their ears heal so quickly! I use the higher setting on the lancing device because I've had lots of missed pricks with the lower settings and with free hand. It seems to work best for us. I don't use any neosporin for Dave currently, since his ear seems to heal over within a few minutes. Lots of great advice on here, definitely play with a couple different methods, you will find out what works best for you and your furbaby. Every team ends up doing it a bit differently!
 
Thank you for all the great replies!! I really like the idea of dabbing with paper towel and warm water. The polysporin seems to help her a bit.. since I've been using it it seems her ears have been looking healthier.. when we first started and she was getting pokes hourly for days at the vet her poor little ears looked so sore :( Maybe it's just that I'm poking her less frequently now though. It's such a relief to hear that poking through the ears happens.. it feels and looks pretty traumatic but I'm just getting used to it (so is she). Thank you for the support.

Nan & Amber, I think she's feeling good this morning thank you for asking :) I think she's just getting used to being in the lower (normal) numbers because at the vets her numbers were quite a bit higher. I'm so glad shes back home and more relaxed though :)
 
SpencerLindley said:
I really like the idea of dabbing with paper towel and warm water
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You want to be careful about using water .....if the ear is wet with water, it could dilute the blood sample and give you a false reading. If you want to warm the ear you can use a sock with dry rice in it (heat in microwave), a pill bottle filled with warm water or a warm washcloth inside a baggie so it doesn't get water into the sample.

What a lot of us use are the round cosmetic pads....put half behind the ear to protect your finger, poke, get your sample and then just fold it over and hold for a few seconds to stop bleeding/bruising.

I pierced China's ears so many times at first that I considered buying her a pair of diamond stud earrings!!
 
Hi Spencer,

Ballonee is one pretty kitty! That face!! She looks to be an absolute sweetheart. :)

BTW, when you get a chance could you add the type of insulin you're using to your signature line? It helps us to better understand Ballonee's spreadsheet (and saves you having to keep posting the name of the insulin!).


Mogs
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That 56 (3.1) on an Alphatrak is a hypo number (FDMB guideline for hypo threshold on an Alphatrak is 68mg/dL).

For safety, I strongly recommend you post on the Lantus & Lev board asking about reducing the Lantus dose before giving the next dose of insulin.


Mogs
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I've posted on a lot of threads lately, so if this is a repeat just ignore.

Tester = Alphatrack
Strips = FreeStyle Lite, I get them off ebay. Last batch was $93 for 300 of them. So $0.30 apiece. Search the forums for previous threads on Alphatrak and FreeStyle - it is a common topic.
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I also recommend using either a cotton ball or napkin to support the ear and to stop any extra bleeding. There were many times when I didn't that my cats would shake their heads after testing and blood flew everywhere. My walls often looked like crime scene afterwards. :eek:
 
She's actually such a calm sweetheart for me when I'm testing her. She just kind of drops her head a little bit :( Breaks my heart. I do use a cotton ball and it helps immensely! Thank you :)

JeffJ said:
I've posted on a lot of threads lately, so if this is a repeat just ignore.

Tester = Alphatrack
Strips = FreeStyle Lite, I get them off ebay. Last batch was $93 for 300 of them. So $0.30 apiece. Search the forums for previous threads on Alphatrak and FreeStyle - it is a common topic.
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Would that be the same for the AlphaTrak 2? Thank you! Its funny I got your post right after I made a visit to the vets and paid 100$ for 50 :( Hahaha. I needed them for tomorrow anyway though. However I did see the Freestyle lite strips at walmart but I think they were for humans.. does it make a difference?

Critter Mom said:
Spencer, has Ballonee been with you since she was a kitten? Got any baby pics?
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Yes I do! Ill look for some tonight <3
 
Yep. Alphatrak 2 and Freestyle Lite. I just forgot to type the "2". Search the forum, it's a common topic.

Well, tomorrow is Saturday. Plenty of time to bid and get some from Ebay for next week. Those 50 strips could last
3 strips/day x 17 days = 51.....so about 15 days.
 
Holy Cutie Patootie! Adorable!

Slightly blurry pic of Chinus from Dec 18. Under a heatlamp in our 70 degree house. Spoiled.
 

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Also I get insulin off the Supplies subforum. Alan Hamman is one of the suppliers. I didn't know him before the first order. Reliable and good prices. Also you can order from Marks Pharmacy in Canada - search the forum or the web.

Syringes - $18 for 100 at Walgreens, U100 - a good price
 
That is just the cutest kitten. I used the Freestyle strips. In my Alphabet meter. I decided to get a spare meter In case the batteries died or something went wrong g. I didn't want to pay an arm and a leg for another Alphtrack. I did some research on meters for pets that would give me numbers similar to the Alphatrack. It is named the Pettest. It uses 3 AA so you won't ave to look for hard to find batteries in that middle of the night. There is no coding necessary.All you have to do is pick the pictures of the cat or dog. It takes a tiny drop of blood

What I liked the most was the consists. Callie's numbers didn't numbers jump all o Dr the place. They were Inexpensive to bt the meters and strips.

It is perfect for someone
 
I often go through Quintus's ear, though I'm getting better at not doing it.

I've read elsewhere on the forum that neosporin can be toxic to cats (it seems to be an american thing) and I'd personally be wary of sticking any cream on my cat's ear if it weren't necessary. I usually just wipe off the excess blood with a tissue once I have my reading. At one point in the beginning, because I hadn't been wiping off the blood, his ear tips were all crusty, so I washed off the crusts with a damp tissue.

I'd also be careful about washing with water, just like for any minor cuts, as water is often a culprit in them getting infected. If your needle is clean I don't think there is huge cause to worry about it getting infected.
 
SpencerLindley said:
She's actually such a calm sweetheart for me when I'm testing her. She just kind of drops her head a little bit :( Breaks my heart. I do use a cotton ball and it helps immensely! Thank you :)



Would that be the same for the AlphaTrak 2? Thank you! Its funny I got your post right after I made a visit to the vets and paid 100$ for 50 :( Hahaha. I needed them for tomorrow anyway though. However I did see the Freestyle lite strips at walmart but I think they were for humans.. does it make a difference?



Yes I do! Ill look for some tonight <3
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Cheapest place to buy alphatrak strips is Adwdiabetes.com. They always have a discount coupon code at Retailmenot.com.
 
Just one look at her and she makes your heart melt! (((Ballonee))) :)

Please give her some fusses from me.


Mogs
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Theresa and I went to Canada last year, Banff area in the summer....and yeah it was great.

I was expecting everyone to be saying "eh" at the end of every sentence. But no, just pretty much the same ol' grammar as the U.S.. And only one French speaking one. We traded a couple of sentences with my very broken French that I learned over 20 years ago.
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