Cosmo - bad testing day

[thebigfuzz]

Having a hard time testing Cosmo
He doesn't sit still well, has tiny little blood vessels in his ears and we poked and poked, finally got blood and he would either shake the droplet away or we would time out on our meter

He has arthritis, and an unstable knee joint, so we don't want to hurt him.

Maybe just a bad day and we are out of practice

We managed 2 tests today and he was high, so gave him his 2 units without worry.

Advice?

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

Hi Tanya,
Are you warming the ear first with a rice sock (rice in the toe of an old sock)?
What size are your lancets? size 26 or 28 is best.
Are you offering a small snack as you test to distract him?
If he shakes his head, try and get the drop of blood onto your (clean) finger nail before he shakes his head.
Are you 'milking' the ear before you test it to bring the blood into the ear?

If you can get a test in during the pm cycle before you go to bed, that would be good.
I would also feed him a good snack before you go to bed and leave a snack out of overnight if you cant get a reading.
Keep trying...you will get there. It can be frustrating in the beginning of testing.

 

[thebigfuzz]

We have 33 Gauge lancets...maybe they are too small?

Yes to the milking, but I haven't tried Vaseline to hold the droplet if we get one.

Hoping for a better test day today

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

We have 33 Gauge lancets...maybe they are too small?

Yes, those are the "thinnest" ones you can buy so aren't a good choice for new ears.

You need lancets that are 25-28 gauge which poke a slightly bigger hole. After the ears "learn to bleed" you can go back to the thinner ones if you want to.

 

[thebigfuzz]

I'll look to pick up some 25-28 lancets today The advice is great and appreciated!

For now, I am trying to milk, touch and hold his ears to encourage (I almost said train LOL) him to get used to the test process. He will allow 8 seconds holding right now, so I want to try to get it done in that time, if we can. Also trying different testing set ups, that might be more comfortable for both of us

 

[jayla-n-Drevon]

Cosmo is lucky to have such a good mama.... your doing awesome! You will find the sweet spot for both of you in no time .
In the beginning it seems so overwhelming but you will see it becomes part of your routine

 

[thebigfuzz]

I got a test at +6!!!!!

Warming up his ear, a little distraction, Vaseline for his droplet and letting him smell all the equipment lol. I guess he wanted to be brought along on the journey

A pink number, but we seem out of the reds after a couple days of insulin!

 

[jayla-n-Drevon]

I got a test at +6!!!!!

Warming up his ear, a little distraction, Vaseline for his droplet and letting him smell all the equipment lol. I guess he wanted to be brought along on the journey

A pink number, but we seem out of the reds after a couple days of insulin!

Great job!

 

[jt and trouble (GA)]

Welcome to the Vampire Club!