Pic will explain testing trouble

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Susan & Claudio

Susan & Claudio

Member Since 2019
Although I haven't left, not to return, I still check the messages daily. I KNOW how important testing is, but it isn't going well. I start off my mornings by lying on my stomach and squeezing as much of my torso as I can under my bed to reach Claudio. He has come to figure out that testing 1st thing in the morning happens before food. Hence, why he hides under my bed. He is under there before my feet hit the floor. Then he remains there. He has, at times refused to eat because he's afraid of being tested. And I'm sure others have been scratched, bitten, etc. But this pic is the most recent. I have been scratched on the arms, legs and stomach. I won't post a pic of my stomach 'cause you really don't want to see my bloomers, lol. This is not the 1st time he has gotten me on my face either. This starting to get somewhat dangerous.
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I am starting to get discouraged. And jealous of everyone else who test so easily. This is not getting any easier for either of us.
 

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Oh wow Susan! That looks awful!! I don't remember if I've posted my testing tips for you, but if not, here they are. I have never recommended that someone stop testing before (when insulin is being given) but if you end up badly hurt, you're not going to be able to help Claudio either! Maybe you should back off for a little while and try re-conditioning him.

Are you still on just .5 twice a day?

Here's something I wrote up for others for testing...maybe it'll help you too!

It can be really helpful to establish a routine with testing. Pick one spot that you want your "testing spot" to be (I like the kitchen counter because it's got good light and it's at a good height....it also already blocked 2 escape routes due to the wall and the backsplash) It can be anywhere though...a rug on the floor, a table, a particular spot on the couch...wherever is good for you.

Take him there as many times a day as you can and just give his ears a quick rub and then he gets a yummy (low carb) treat. Most cats aren't objecting so much with the poking..it's the fooling with their ears they don't like, but once they're desensitized to it and learn to associate a certain place with the treats, they usually start to come when they're called! Or even when they hear us opening the test kit!

You also have to remember...you're not poking him to hurt him...you're testing him to keep him safe and understand what's going on inside his body. There's just nothing better than truly understanding what's going on inside your kitty's body and with this disease, the more knowledge you have, the more power you have against it. The edges of the ears have very few pain receptors, so it really doesn't hurt them. Also, if you're nervous and tense, it's going to make your kitty nervous and tense too. As silly as it might seem, try singing! It forces you to use a different part of your brain!

It's also important to make sure his ear is warm. A small sock filled with a little rice and microwaved or a small pill bottle filled with warm water (check temp against your wrist like you would a baby bottle) works well

For new kitties, using a heavier gauge lancet is also really helpful. A 25-28 gauge lancet pokes a bigger "hole" than a 31-33 gauge lancet does, so look for "Alternate Site testing" lancets that are usually a lower number

Finding the right "treat" will be a great help too! Freeze dried chicken, bonito flakes, little pieces of baked chicken...whatever low carb treat you can find that he really enjoys will help him to associate the testing with the treat! China's Achilles heel was baked chicken, so I'd bake a piece, chop it into bite sized pieces, put some in the refrigerator and freeze the rest to use as needed. It didn't take long for her to come any time I picked up the meter!
 
There are some secondary monitoring tips you can use. They are not near as good as blood glucose testing, but they can help.

Urine Testing
A urine ketone test will identify if there are ketones accumulating since the last time the cat urinated. High levels of ketones are a medical emergency as they may be from diabetic ketoacidosis.
A urine glucose is inexact and shows if glucose was spilling into the urine since the last time the cat urinated. It does this when the blood glucose is over about 240. This shows you don't have control of the diabetes.
Obtain Keto Diastix or similar product from pharmacy.
You will be looking for glucose and/or ketones in the urine.

Water Consumption
Measure the amount of water you put down each day.
Measure how much is left at the same time the next day.
The difference is water drunk and some evaporation.*
This will gradually decrease as you get better control.

Food Consumption
Measure the amount of food you put down each meal.
Measure how much food is left at the next meal.
The difference is food eaten and some evaporation of moisture from the food.
This will gradually decrease as you get better control.

Urine output
Roughly measure the amount of wet litter produce each day and it’s characteristics
- have you got oceans, lakes, ponds, or cups?
oceans = uncontrolled diabetes or possibly some other problem such as renal disease or hyperthyroidism
cups = better controlled or lack of water intake
  • blood in the urine may indicate infection, stones, interstitial cystitis, or injury
Weight
Obtain a reliable, digital baby scale (Craigslist is one resource to check)
Weigh weekly, at about the same time and before a meal.
Pre-shot might work well as the time to do this.
Unplanned changes of more than 0.25 pounds (3-4 ounces) should be noted
Unplanned changes of 0.5 pounds may indicate something is happening.
A consistent, unplanned trend over time may suggest a problem; see the vet.
 
My Snuffles is not easy to test. Here is the deeped bite that sent me to the doctor.
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Otherwise I just get bits on arms and legs like this
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Snuffles is a front declaw so he can't scratch me with front claws. He has not drawn blood since this Monday when he got me in right lower leg.
 

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Chris & China (GA) :

Are you still on just .5 twice a day?
No. Up to 1.5 units b.i.d I fixed/changed that in my profile.

It's also important to make sure his ear is warm.
He doesn't mind me rubbing/warming his ears.

For new kitties, using a heavier gauge lancet is also really helpful.
I use a 26 gauge lancet.

Finding the right "treat" will be a great help too!
Finally found the RIGHT treat. Canned sardines. Yuk !!

Maybe you should back off for a little while and try re-conditioning him.
That's what I was thinking. I will try again on Sunday.

Larry and Kitties :

Ow. That looks painful !!
 
I tried a bg test yesterday. 1st time after 3 pokes, the meter read failure. So I figured I try again later. Midway through evening cycle I tried testing. Success !! 234 @ 2+ after pm shot.
This morning, well.... I got everything ready. Got Claudio in testing spot. Poked 2x and Claudio let out a meow. Now here comes my civvie flying into the room. He's thinking, hey a fight, I wanna get into it. The only blood I got was from me on my leg. Compliments of the other cat. So amps was a failure. Tried for pmps. This time I put other cat into another room with the door shut. Had to poke 3x to get any blood. After milking it, I got enough blood to test. Success again. 288 pmps. I think it was a little high because he was getting aggravated.
I beginning to think maybe I should get married again. Just so I have an extra sent of hands for this.
 
Susan & Claudio said:
I beginning to think maybe I should get married again. Just so I have an extra sent of hands for this.
Click to expand...

Are you sure it would be worth it?:p:D

Shutting out the other cat is a great idea. I did that with my cat, so no interruptions. Make that room with a door your test spot and lure you cat in with those stinky sardines! :eek: I hate the smell of fish personally, but to stop being savaged by a cat, it's worth it.
 
Deb @ Wink
Are you sure it would be worth it?:p:D


Nah. I'd only have him around during testing times. Otherwise I have no real use for him.

Guess cooperation is not in a cat's DNA.
 
Hey, you're making some progress!! Keep trying! You got 2 successful tests in 24 hours with only injury to your legs....better than your face (or your eyes)

Good idea to keep a door between you and Claudio and the other kitty!
 
•Ear Testing Psychology•

Just putting this link here for both @sandscout and @Susan & Claudio and anyone else having trouble getting BG tests.

Thought it might help with Scout, so that even the AMPS and PMPS testing could be easier. It's a different approach to home testing. I think of it as being like "The Horse Whisperer" but with cats, so I suppose I should call it "The Cat Whisperer" approach.

p.s. Written by Kay Passa many years ago when she had a diabetic kitten <1 year old.
 
Susan & Claudio said:
Deb @ Wink
Are you sure it would be worth it?:p:D


Nah. I'd only have him around during testing times. Otherwise I have no real use for him.

Guess cooperation is not in a cat's DNA.
Click to expand...
Didn't see the tag Susan. It's the @ sign and then start typing in the user name, with the at sign and the user name right next to each other. Like this @Deb & Wink As you start to type on the name, it brings up a list of possibilities. The more you type in, the shorter the selection list gets. Use tagging sparingly is suggested.

More handy tips on navigating the message board are here, from the Announcements & How to use the FDMB forum. The sticky at the top: This one below
HOW-TO USE THE FDMB: The Basics
 
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