Testing a very difficult cat :(

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I’m very new to this as well and in 6 tests so far (I’m only able to get AMPS and PMPS numbers) I’ve only managed 1 successful reading. It is really discouraging but I also have a rule where I only poke him 3 times each test and if I can’t get enough with those then I stop and give him a treat and both move on. Otherwise it’s too traumatic for him it seems or he just gets really annoyed and hits my hand away. His ears are kinda bruised up a bit from it because he won’t even let me put pressure on them after. But I keep trying each time and stop when I hit the 3rd strike as I don’t want to stress either of us out. Im going to play with the lancet device as I was free poking so maybe try the opposite of what you are as each cat is different and one may bother him more?
 
Carlyfofarly said:
I’m very new to this as well and in 6 tests so far (I’m only able to get AMPS and PMPS numbers) I’ve only managed 1 successful reading. It is really discouraging but I also have a rule where I only poke him 3 times each test and if I can’t get enough with those then I stop and give him a treat and both move on. Otherwise it’s too traumatic for him it seems or he just gets really annoyed and hits my hand away. His ears are kinda bruised up a bit from it because he won’t even let me put pressure on them after. But I keep trying each time and stop when I hit the 3rd strike as I don’t want to stress either of us out. Im going to play with the lancet device as I was free poking so maybe try the opposite of what you are as each cat is different and one may bother him more?
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Yes, do try the device. It holds the lancet firmly so there is no play. Sister does not notice the click at all while others say it scares their cat.
I also fold a round cotton makeup remover pad in half and place it on the underside of her ear flap (on the top part where the device will hit) to keep it firm and level as well.
 
Lauren & Red said:
@Chris & China (GA) @Bron and Sheba (GA) @Marje and Gracie @StarburstMom @Daddy Jack's Mommy @Lisa and Witn (GA) @Ann & Sister

Guys, I need help!

OK, first of all if you ever hear anyone else talking about the urine test strips— please tell them they don’t mean anything! Every single time I’ve tested (and I have done so at least 2 to 3 times a day) the number has always been 500+ or even 1000. I was so worried that my cats numbers were incredibly high all day.

I can test with another set of hands. Unfortunately I just don’t have anyone to help very often.

My mom was able to stop by and hold him while I got the reading not too long ago.

So I have no AMPS. For insulin I stayed at 0.5 because I was still weighing my options for possibly increasing the dose or not.

Based on the urine strips, I was definitely leaning towards increasing towards 0.75. And thought that was likely not enough but better to go slow.

Technically today was probably 0.6 since I was so sure he needed more than I was giving.

I think I was VERY wrong. But truthfully, I still don’t understand how to interpret the numbers so I was hoping you could help and let me know if I should be worried?

15-20 min shy of +5 and his BG is 98! I don’t know if his lowest point is at five hours, six hours, seven hours or whatever. I know frequent testing is important for this very reason but as you know, I am unable to do so. My mom is coming back to help me test again but it won’t be for a few hours since she had to go back to work. I can’t test again until she gets here and I am kind of freaking out. What should I do? Is this a worrisome number or normal?

Urine test strips officially in the garbage can! How can the test strips be so high and his blood be so low? Can anyone make sense of it?
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Lauren, I love your commitment and determination to succeed for Red. My calico, CALI with a capital catitude was diagnosed October, 2020. We love her to the depths of our souls and rescued her in Mexico when she was about 1 month old. However when test time [or anything not on her terms] comes to this day it still requires both myself and my husband fully gloved and arms protected. She anticipates and amps for the ‘fight”. Our vet and every vet she has encountered for her entire life proclaims her the most fracticious [wild, feral, undomesticated, unsocialized] cat. Our current vet was almost certain we would not be able to test. Wrong, we do so for the same reasons you state. We are committed and responsible for her life and well being. She knows this so we persevere. Sometimes takes us extended period of time and my “third hand, my husband” is not a patient man. I do see success in your future with Red. If he sleeps on your pillow he choose you. Don’t we treasure those times!
 
Carlyfofarly said:
I’m very new to this as well and in 6 tests so far (I’m only able to get AMPS and PMPS numbers) I’ve only managed 1 successful reading. It is really discouraging but I also have a rule where I only poke him 3 times each test and if I can’t get enough with those then I stop and give him a treat and both move on. Otherwise it’s too traumatic for him it seems or he just gets really annoyed and hits my hand away. His ears are kinda bruised up a bit from it because he won’t even let me put pressure on them after. But I keep trying each time and stop when I hit the 3rd strike as I don’t want to stress either of us out. Im going to play with the lancet device as I was free poking so maybe try the opposite of what you are as each cat is different and one may bother him more?
Click to expand...
Have you tried testing on yourself to see how big of a drop it needs?

If you get a drop from your cat you can try scraping it onto your nail and test from there.
 
Lauren & Red said:
I think the biggest problem is although I’m poking in the right spot, and I hear so many people say that it doesn’t hurt the cat… it seems to genuinely be painful for him.

He doesn’t even notice the insulin shot but the ear prick causes him to cry out loudly. I want to put lidocaine or something on his ear first but others said it wasn’t a good idea. Not sure why. I guess because it’s not for cats, but wouldn’t using it be better than not testing?

I just tried again and got blood like I always do but it was another major struggle and I was only able to get enough on my nail to fill half of the strip. So no reading. Another wasted 40 minutes. I want to scream!

If I could just find a way to make it hurt less. What I wanted to try was a topical lidocaine cream while he’s sleeping. Then maybe I can poke and he won’t even notice. Part of the problem is he always knows when I attempt to keep him in place. And the fight begins.

But if it hurts, I’m going to ruin my chance at finding a successful place to test. When he’s in his basket he feels secure and I know I can easily approach him and poke. But I’m only going to get one chance. I don’t want to ruin his safe space. If that makes sense? That’s why I haven’t tried it yet.
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I tried these today, not expecting much. They have made all the difference in the world! Fritz was fine the first couple of days, but then he seemed to flinch and meow, I think his ears were sore. Read this, please. It may help you and Red as much as it has helped me and Fritz: https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/may-help-with-testing-100-improvement-for-us.251258/
 
JanetNJ said:
Have you tried testing on yourself to see how big of a drop it needs?

If you get a drop from your cat you can try scraping it onto your nail and test from there.
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Yes I have. I get zero drops from him or a little less than the amount needed if I’m lucky
 
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