Testing and ear pricks assistance - Wendy and Marco

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Mnm

Mnm

Member Since 2020
Hi-

I am struggling with getting blood for the BG blood monitor. I have watch the videos on this website, looked at the sweet spot on the ear, and looked at general ear pricking videos on the web.

Marco is a very skittish cat, thus when we started our journey I elected to use the freestyle libre monitor for him. There was no way he would let me prick his hears and give snots both twice a day.

Marco is now in remission, and the Freestyle Libre Monitor is no longer Marco's best option. Thus I am trying to prick his ear to get his reading once a week, then once a month.

I am using the Accu chek softclix pen. I've used it on myself successfully. I have pricked Marco's ear 4 times and no blood.
-I've put a warm sock to his ear (as best I could); he wiggles his ears and I'm not sure how warm his ear has gotten.
- I've tried rubbing his ears (he gets irritated after a while). He puts his ears back and fights me.

How do I get blood from his ears? I saw a video on line using the middle of the ear. I assume it's something I'm doing as the lancing device works fine on my finger.

I greatly appreciate tips and tricks for getting blood on his ears. Marco is very feisty and I don't have much room/time for hands-on with his ears. He knows what I'm up to and isn't fond of it.

Again, assistance is greatly appreciated.

All the best-

Wendy and Marco
 
It sounds like you are doing everything right. Warm compress to ear, etc. It took time for our baby to be a bleeder too - once we did it enough, he normally always would bleed fine for testing. Every once in a while he would have cold ears and we would have to either use warm compress, rub a bit, or cup a hand over an ear. The pens never did work well for us, and the clicks were stressful to our boy, so I stopped using them and did the pricking by hand. It took some getting used to for sure, as to not cause further harm. Edit - maybe try a different pen?

Also important and I know it may sound silly, but does Marco have any "Happy" spots in the house to reduce the stress of testing? Places where Marco feels most comfortable? That was suggested to me a long time ago. It ended up for me, that my boy's "Happy" place was me! Right in my lap. I am not sure if this helps. Best wishes and good luck.
 
LalaMeow said:
It sounds like you are doing everything right. Warm compress to ear, etc. It took time for our baby to be a bleeder too - once we did it enough, he normally always would bleed fine for testing. Every once in a while he would have cold ears and we would have to either use warm compress, rub a bit, or cup a hand over an ear. The pens never did work well for us, and the clicks were stressful to our boy, so I stopped using them and did the pricking by hand. It took some getting used to for sure, as to not cause further harm. Edit - maybe try a different pen?

Also important and I know it may sound silly, but does Marco have any "Happy" spots in the house to reduce the stress of testing? Places where Marco feels most comfortable? That was suggested to me a long time ago. It ended up for me, that my boy's "Happy" place was me! Right in my lap. I am not sure if this helps. Best wishes and good luck.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your input. I appreciate it greatly. I will try cupping a hand over his ear and see how he takes to that. I'll also try a different pen.

How many sticks did you have to do before getting his ears to bleed? 5? 20? other? Just trying to get an idea.

With hand pricking, how do you know how hard to press? I'm sure it comes with practice. Any words of wisdom to start?

I've decided to put all the "tools" in a box, get a towel and put him in my lap as our "ear testing station". Hopefully then he'll know it's time now, and feel semi safe.

I feel so horrible forcing him to comply, pricking his ear, and nothing worthwhile in the end.

Again, thank you so much for your input. I really appreciate it.

-Wendy and Marco
 
I use a lancet and do free hand as well. If the ear is warm it doesn’t take a whole lot of pressure at all and yes, you’ll get the hang of it once you start doing it. If you’re going to try that get a large gauge. I use 28. You can see the needle so it makes it easy to know it’s going in. I nuke the sock to 30 seconds. Sometimes it gets to hot and I wait a bit but I prefer hotter than the lukewarm I get sometimes with just 20 seconds. When the ear is hot, the slightest prick works. I have the opposite issue where sometimes I get too much blood and feel bad but it stops right away once I put pressure on with a cotton ball. Also are you giving him a treat after for positive association?

good luck! :)
 
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Aleluia Grugru & Minnie said:
I use a lancet and do free hand as well. If the ear is warm it doesn’t take a whole lot of pressure at all and yes, you’ll get the hand of it once you start doing it. If you’re going to try that get a large gauge. I use 28. You can see the needle so it makes it easy to know it’s going in. I nuke the sock to 30 seconds. Sometimes it gets to hot and I wait a bit but I prefer hotter than the lukewarm I get sometimes with just 20 seconds. When the ear is hot, the slightest prick works. I have the opposite issue where sometimes I get too much blood and feel bad but it stops right away once I put pressure on with a cotton ball. Also are you giving him a treat after for positive association?

good luck! :)
Click to expand...

Hi-

Thank you for your input. I appreciate it. I'll get a few larger gauge lancets and try that too.

I am giving him treats, brushing him afterwards (he loves to be brushed), and giving lots of attention post attempts; thank you for the reminder.

Thank you. We both appreciate it!

Wendy and Marco
 
Rocko started off not compliant with the testing and shots. I had approached it all wrong, by trying to force and not let patience rule the situation. With time and practice and a ton of patience, he came around and it became ritualistic to him and he knew what to expect and anticipate. For you, it sounds like you'll have a better time not having to do it as often, but, then Marco may not get used to it as quickly either.

As for his ears bleeding better, it took about a week, alternating every other ear for twice a day testing for him to have a consistent bleed. When I started pricking by hand, I had a folded up tissue to place behind the ear as a cushion to help gauge the pressure, and to soak any residual bleeding and put pressure if he was bleeding a little too well that day. It doesn't take hardly any pressure with the lancets - they are sharp! I actually had better luck and accuracy with hitting the sweet spot and it got a lot easier.

It is hard to say if it's the pen, lancets or if baby's ears just aren't used to bleeding. Always start slow and make sure he is calm and compliant. If brushing or petting helps, or getting Marco laid down flat and ease the scene, make him feel safe. Always reward and praise when he does good. Patience patience patience! You can do this.

Yep, there were a couple of times I pricked a little too hard by hand, and I felt so awful. But Rocko was a champ and tolerated it well (every once in a while, he would fuss if his numbers were whacky.) because you said Marco is fidgety, have you been able to notice if it's the clicks of the pen that may be bothering him? Does he flinch at the click noise? If not, I would certainly try a different pen first before doing it by hand. It can be tricky starting by hand to get the sweet spot and not go below that line - it could really hurt kitty.

Keep us posted!
 
Also I forgot to add - when I had Rocko laying down in my lap or on the floor for testing, for me I notice he panicked if I was directly in front of him blocking his sight ahead. I started coming in from the side, so he felt safe and not feel trapped, so to speak. Scritches on his cheek and under his chin to let him know he wasn't trapped and if he felt scared or threatened, he could go at any time and we would try again in a minute or two.
 
One last note - Rocko got so used to the new routine, he ended up within time (about 2 months) just coming and sitting in mine or my husband's lap to be tested and for injections - 8/10 times! I hope the same outcome for testing for Marco! It'll get easier! You can do it! It's normal to be nervous if trying out doing it by hand, but you will get more comfortable and will feel like you have more control once you are used to it and have found the best positions and comfort level for Marco.
 
Hi LalaMeow-

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I really appreciate it. I do need to do a better job of ensuring Marco is feeling comfortable and is "in control" of the situation.

I really want to do this at home and avoid unnecessary vet visits. He get's so upset going to the vet; he urinates and/or defecates on himself. Last time his BG increased by 300 just going to the vet; that's 300 over what it was.

Again, thank you. It's so hard to do this to the ones you love so much. At the same time, that's what gives you the courage to do it.

I will keep you posted!

All the best-

Wendy and Marco
 
I'm glad I could provide some insight.

I remember before we did home testing, Rocko was the same way with raising BG numbers going to the vet. It hurts when we see our babies stressed. It definitely will alleviate so much pressure being able to do home testing. It was the best decision for us when we finally decided to do it ourselves instead of having to bring our baby in for blood curves constantly. Big relief with home testing! You are in control, and like you said, you have the ability to give Marco the feeling that he is in control and safe.

You have a great attitude and I know you will do great. Marco is lucky to have you.
 
The lancet goes in at an angle, if you are "free handing", holding the little lancet between your fingers.
If using a lancet pen, the pen goes flat against the ear.
Always something firm behind the ear, to "poke" against, between your finger and the lancet.
Lancets are beveled. You want the bevel to be up. There is a picture showing the bevel in this link:
Marje and Gracie's Testing and Shooting Tips

Treats, bribes, and more treats. Doesn't have to be food. Brushing and petting and talking to your cat are all suitable "bribes".
Break the process down into tiny steps, and add more steps, to get your cat used to the process.
Repeat the steps as often as possible, a dozen times a day or more is not too many.
3 "strikes" and you are out. 3 attempts, and it's time to take a break and try again a bit later.

Use a flashlight or a very bright light, to see where you should be poking. Some people hold a mini-flashlight in their mouth, or use a headlamp to shine light on the poke spot.
 
Thank you for those words. There mean so much!!! Especially during the stressful times when you try so hard without success. We tried again this morning. No blood from his ear. I started "setting up a station" and "tearing down the station" when we are done so he knows what's coming and knows when it's over. Lots of love to him this morning; he did great. I wasn't able to get blood. I'll be going to the drug store today to look for a different lancing pen.

Thank you!!!!

Wendy and Marco
 
I never could get use to those stupid clicking pen things. Threw mine in the trash after 3 tries. Free handed it for the duration of time Trouble was needing insulin.
Good luck! Hope you have success.
 
Hi Deb-

Just saw your suggestions. Thank you! I will implement them. Maybe I'm not firm enough behind the ear. I've been placing tissues behind his ear with my hand on the tissues. Maybe I'm not applying enough pressure behind his ear, and thus the lance doesn't go through. I will try a new tactic.

Again, thank you!!!!

-Wendy and Marco
 
Mnm said:
Hi Deb-

Just saw your suggestions. Thank you! I will implement them. Maybe I'm not firm enough behind the ear. I've been placing tissues behind his ear with my hand on the tissues. Maybe I'm not applying enough pressure behind his ear, and thus the lance doesn't go through. I will try a new tactic.

Again, thank you!!!!

-Wendy and Marco
Click to expand...
Hi,

I had a few things to add but everyone already covered it pretty much. Yes, I go for the inside of the ear because of the fur on the outside. I use a flashlight too. When I started and asked for advice here someone suggested a lamp but Minnie is always on a different spot and sometimes lounging on the deck furniture outside so a flashlight worked best for me and it’s more intense light I can aim at the spot. So I got a pocket one and I hold it in my mouth so I can see a) bevel and b) spot. I also agree that having something sturdy behind the ear is best. When I was using a cotton ball i couldn't hold onto the ear firmly enough so now I use a big chunk of cotton. I think a washcloth would work as well. Sometimes I’ll prick and see a tiny I mean really tiny red dot so I gently squeeze the spot on the ear and more blood comes out and it’s only a small amount you need anyway as you know. I’d rather try that first before poking again. If a little blood is there then you know you made the “hole.” It won’t be perfect every time. Sometimes you get too little sometimes you get too much and feel horrible about it. But you put pressure on it after and it stops the bleeding immediately. I also apply Neosporin on the spot especially if it bled too much. Minnie doesn’t love it. She knows it’s coming when I use the warm sock. She tends to move her ear or try to move her head away so holding the ear firmly is key. But she also doesn’t hate it to the point of trying to move away. The only times that are challenging are if she’s sitting up and on her “way” somewhere so I usually will wait a few minutes to see where she’s going and let her get settled and then i test. I think she feels something like, I don’t like this so I’m going to show it but it’s not super painful so I’ll endure it and get a treat after :)

let us know how it goes!
 
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Aleluia Grugru & Minnie said:
Hi,

I had a few things to add but everyone already covered it pretty much. Yes, I go for the inside of the ear because of the fur on the outside. I use a flashlight too. When I started and asked for advice here someone suggested a lamp but Minnie is always on a different spot and sometimes lounging on the deck furniture outside so a flashlight worked best for me and it’s more intense light I can aim at the spot. So I got a pocket one and I hold it in my mouth so I can see a) bevel and b) spot. I also agree that having something sturdy behind the ear is best. When I was using a cotton ball i couldn't hold onto the ear firmly enough so now I use a big chunk of cotton. I think a washcloth would work as well. Sometimes I’ll prick and see a tiny I mean really tiny red dot so I gently squeeze the spot on the ear and more blood comes out and it’s only a small amount you need anyway as you know. I’d rather try that first before poking again. If a little blood is there then you know you made the “hole.” It won’t be perfect every time. Sometimes you get too little sometimes you get too much and feel horrible about it. But you put pressure on it after and it stops the bleeding immediately. I also apply Neosporin on the spot especially if it bled too much. Minnie doesn’t love it. She knows it’s coming when I use the warm sock. She tends to move her ear or try to move her head away so holding the ear firmly is key. But she also doesn’t hate it to the point of trying to move away. The only times that are challenging are if she’s sitting up and on her “way” somewhere so I usually will wait a few minutes to see where she’s going and let her get settled and then i test. I think she feels something like, I don’t like this so I’m going to show it but it’s not super painful so I’ll endure it and get a treat after :)

let us know how it goes!
Click to expand...


Thanks for the info. I appreciate it. I tried again over lunch with no success. I even got a new lancing pen. I think his ear is being pricked as he seems to wince and not like it. I'm just not seeing blood. I'm going to go over the diagrams again tonight as try the flash light too. So frustrating to keep poking him. I just need one good blood sample to ensure he's still in remission, then I don't have to poke him for a week.

Deep breaths.... we will get there. Thank you, thank you for all of the suggestions and support. It is greatly appreciated.

-Wendy and Marco (looking for success tonight)
 
You can do this!! Unfortunately, it'll take some time and I know it's painful to put our babies through but also remember, your baby will be quick to forgive. Once you get the hang of it and hopefully Marco becomes more accepting, it'll be a breeze! Breathe and keep trying.
 
I use a little bit of vaseline on the fur (outside) of the ear and rub Freckles' ear. The Vaseline helps create a droplet so it doesn't spread into her ear fur. While she's having a snack, I use the lancet device (Freestyle Lite) set on 4. She can be a bit wiggly when she's eating, so I just move with her. Sometimes there is no blood right away so I hold her ear with both hands and the 'prick' spot between the two thumbs and gently wiggle the ear alternating with my left hand and then right hand (basically the same motion as if you were finger typing on a keyboard - back and forth). This kind of 'milks' the ear to get the blood flowing). Freckles has had her ear pricked so many times, that it's not necessary to aim for the sweet spot (it's hard to find the sweet spot when using the lancet device because you can't see where the lancet is aimed). Sometimes making 2 pricks close to each other gives you enough blood too.

Then I 'scoop' the blood droplet onto my thumb fingernail so I don't have to worry about Freckles shaking her ear or having to hold still even longer.

If it's the clicking of the lancet device that she doesn't like, you can clicker train her. Just hold the lancing device without pricking her and make it click and then reward her. Pretty soon, she will associate the click of the lancing device with 'good stuff'.
 
Hi Judy and Freckles-

Thanks for the tips. I will try Vaseline or Neosporin. Thanks for all the tips. We really appreciate it.

News of the day:
Okay, so I finally drew blood. The only bad thing, is it did not pool (probably because I was rubbing his hear), I smeared it all over my thumb and never got enough for the meter. Will take the tip of Vaseline above....

It's progress. Marco was a trooper (growled quite a bit at me); all the same he's an amazing trooper. Tomorrow, we'll draw blood and we will get a proper reading; I just know it.

-Wendy (with the red thumb) and Marco (the trooper)
 
Mnm said:
Hi-

I am struggling with getting blood for the BG blood monitor. I have watch the videos on this website, looked at the sweet spot on the ear, and looked at general ear pricking videos on the web.

Marco is a very skittish cat, thus when we started our journey I elected to use the freestyle libre monitor for him. There was no way he would let me prick his hears and give snots both twice a day.

Marco is now in remission, and the Freestyle Libre Monitor is no longer Marco's best option. Thus I am trying to prick his ear to get his reading once a week, then once a month.

I am using the Accu chek softclix pen. I've used it on myself successfully. I have pricked Marco's ear 4 times and no blood.
-I've put a warm sock to his ear (as best I could); he wiggles his ears and I'm not sure how warm his ear has gotten.
- I've tried rubbing his ears (he gets irritated after a while). He puts his ears back and fights me.

How do I get blood from his ears? I saw a video on line using the middle of the ear. I assume it's something I'm doing as the lancing device works fine on my finger.

I greatly appreciate tips and tricks for getting blood on his ears. Marco is very feisty and I don't have much room/time for hands-on with his ears. He knows what I'm up to and isn't fond of it.

Again, assistance is greatly appreciated.

All the best-

Wendy and Marco
Click to expand...

Don't give up Wendy. This was the hardest part for me so far. I felt frustrated, sad, disappointed and I knew I had to get it right. If you take Marco to the vet his reading will probably not be accurate because of the stress. It took me almost 10 failed attempts to finally get a rhythm going.
  • I found that putting him on my dresser while my sister held Mikey was key. The first 3 times he fought us and screamed. Now he sits and prrrs.
  • I tried the inside of the ear as suggested by my vet on the fold. That never worked after 3 attempts. After 4 times on the outside of the ear along the edge of the fur is where I found success.
  • I warm up a sock filled with beans for 30 seconds and place that on his ear while my sister gives chin scratches.
  • I use the Alpha Trak2 device on 4 and that has worked for me. I tried freestyle but could not get it down. I also use a thin layer of vaseline, this gets the blood drop to stay while I get my strip.
  • I place the test strip inside but not all the way in the meter. As soon as I see blood I place all the way in and test.
  • Mikey gets a small portion of chicken breast right after. His favorite part
Hang in there and I wish you the best of luck!
 
Renee & Mikey said:
I place the test strip inside but not all the way in the meter. As soon as I see blood I place all the way in and test.
Click to expand...
Yes, I do this as well but will add that I scoop the blood droplet on my thumbnail and then will push the test strip all the way in the meter. If the blood is on my fingernail... I've got it and Freckles can do whatever she wants after that... I don't care! lol
 
Mnm said:
Thank you to all. Everyone is so encouraging and provides such amazing input. It helps beyond compare. It is so wonderful to not be alone in this.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.... I appreciate everyone's words, suggestions, and encouragement so much.

Wendy and Marco
Click to expand...
We've all been there... some of us have been there pretty recently too! lol
 
Judy and Freckles said:
Yes, I do this as well but will add that I scoop the blood droplet on my thumbnail and then will push the test strip all the way in the meter. If the blood is on my fingernail... I've got it and Freckles can do whatever she wants after that... I don't care! lol
Click to expand...
I’ve done both! I put the test strip in the meter but not all the way that way I’m not stressed out about having limited time to get the blood

I do milk the ear as well after I see the tiny red spot to get more blood out.
And just this morning Minnie accidentally turned so the blood droplet ended up on my nail and I collected it with the test strip. I didn’t know that would work but it did!

you can do it! You’ll get there!!!
 
We finally did it!!!! So many trials and tribulations, but we just got the reading with the BG monitor using the strips. BG = 68!!!!

We were so close so many times and one thing or another happened. This morning, I thought we had it, and we didn't have enough blood and the monitor gave an error. My Freestyle 14 day monitor has a slot for strips, but it takes 0.6 microliters of blood and we didn't have enough blood this morning. Picked up another monitor this evening (Freestyle lite) that only takes 0.3 and we had success (I hit a bleeder this time, so we would have hit anyway).

We have been successful. Thank you everyone for your support, wisdom, input, and encouragement on testing his BG with the strips. It means so much!!! Everyone is so awesome.

This marks twenty-one days in remission for Marco!!!!!!
 
Welcome to the Vampire Club!
vampire smiley small.jpg
May all your tests be successful ones, from now on.
 

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Marco is OTJ!!! Today is his 23rd day OTJ!!!

He had the Freestyle monitor on him while he was taking insulin and for one week after. I needed to be able to test him without the monitor now that he's in remission. Marco is a very skittish cat. There is no way he would tolerate two shots a day, plus 2 ear pricks. Now that I just need to test Marco once a month, the ear prick is tolerable (although we just had 10 days of many ear pricks a day as I learned the technique). The only other option was to take him into the vet once a month and review his fructosamine level to see if he had been high recently; not a great solution for many reasons.

He's doing awesome! I am so thankful for this website and everyone on it. This website and the information on it is why Marco is in remission today. I am so grateful!!!
 
I'm late here and it only caught my eye because we have a Marco but he is the opposite of skittish, loves being in the car.
Poking the ears is like poking tissue paper and not going all the way through, I'm happy you're past that. If you have any further issues you can refer back to this:
ear_01.JPG
Good luck Marco!
 

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Three cheers for Marco! Hip, hip, hooray. Hip, hip, hooray. Hip, hip, hooray, on being OTJ!:)

Now remember, once a diabetic, always a diabetic.

Here are some tips to stay OTJ (off-the-juice, insulin being the juice)
1. Never feed dry - not even treats. (freeze dried is ok, Dr. Elsey's chicken flavor is ok.) If you change wet food types, be 100% sure the new food is also low carb and same low carb % as your current food. Some cats are very carb sensitive and an increase from 3-6% to 8-10% can spike the BG’s. Don’t feed if you aren’t sure!
2. Weigh every 2 weeks to 1 month to watch for weight changes. Too much of a weight gain can cause loss of remission. Too much of a weight loss alerts you to other issues, such as hyperthyroidism.
3. Measure blood once a week, indefinitely if possible. You want to catch a relapse quickly. Some people only do checks every 2 weeks to a month. BG checks can sometimes alert you to other issues.
4. No steroids or oral meds with sugar - remind your vet whenever giving you any medication. Always double check. (Steroids may be needed for other medical issues. But remind your vet your cat is a diabetic, diet controlled.)
5. Monitor food intake, peeing and drinking. If increasing, a sign of losing remission. Or another medical condition like Hyper-T or kidney disease.

6. Regular vet checks for infection such as dental , ear or UTI. And get them treated quickly!

7.Continue to ketone test even if your cat is OTJ. Ketones can develop if the cat’s pancreas is not producing enough insulin, or burning off too much fat if your cat is not eating properly and other reasons.

If your cat does fall out of remission you need to be more aggressive and resolve issues/ back on insulin as soon as possible as the window for a second remission is tight if any. Pancreatitis, hyperthyroid, dental issues are the most common reasons cats fall out of remission.

"Once a diabetic, always a diabetic." They are simply diet controlled.

p.s. OTJ = off-the-juice, insulin being the "juice" referred to.
 
Thank you Deb! Also, thank you much for all of the reminders and rules to keep in mind. I appreciate all the words and things to think about. It's so easy to think you are on "easy street" again. I think I will put a post it note in the bathroom where Marco's box is " 'Once a diabetic, always a diabetic.' They are simply diet controlled." It's a good reminder.

I didn't realize we should still check that often. I appreciate you letting me know.

I am so thankful for this community and all the people in it. Many thanks to you and to all who have helped us out. My thankfulness, appreciation, and gratitude are so strong for all the support we have received. Finding the words to express the depths of my gratitude is escaping me.

Thank you, thank you, thank you....

-Wendy and Marco
 
Your welcome Wendy.

Pay it forward, to the next new member.
Pick one person, and help that person.
It's why I'm still here, and why JT is still here and why Wendy&Neko are still here, and Marje and Gracie and so many other people.

Their and our cats may have crossed over the Rainbow Bridge, but we still help new members and old.:)
 
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