still no BG's on Bear

[Bear's Mama]

Well, I just stuck myself to see if the lancet (Accucheck was working) it was... I have a nice 122 BG after dinner. I've stuck myself purposely about 3 times now, to make sure everything is working and it was. I also tried the OneTouch lancet device because it is quieter & got nothing, so I thought maybe it is not going deep enuf. I have the Accucheck set on 5, the highest setting.

I wish I could say the same for Bear-Bear! I have stuck him one way or another (even just the lancet without device, per Jacques e really jumped at that) and cannot get a drop of blood out of him. and He is not happy about it!!!

I thought maybe I was flinching or missing the ear, but I get blood on the tip of lancet. Yes, I am using pressure on the ear and warming it up with rubs prior. He is a hot cat anyway and has very warm ears before I try. I've only gotten him cornered about 4 times now in the last 10 days but still nothing each time.

Every other time, he runs at seeing the "instruments of torture" I have in my hands or on the table. I've tried on his coffee table with his Purebites earlier today and he runs, I try in his bed mostly, cuz cannot pick him up or it's a fight.

He is getting very suspicious anytime I come around him. I can't do it any later than now 8 PM EST or it will cause him to hide till insulin time at 10-11 PM.

I'm ready to give up.

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

I'm sorry you re having so much trouble with testing. Don't give up though.
What size lancets are you using?
I would try using size 26 if you haven't already.
Try shining a torch behind the ear so you can see where the vein runs right around the edge of the ear. You need to aim for between the edge of the ear and the vein.
Try not to corner him if you can as this will only put him on high alert.

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

Don't k ow if you saw this already
Always aim for the sweet spot warm the ears up first, you can put rice in a sock and put it in the microwave, test it on the inside of your wrist to be sure it's not to hot, like you would test a babies bottle. You can fill a pill bottle with warm water and roll it on the ears also.Just keep rubbing the ears with your fingers to warm them up

6. As the ears get used to bleeding and grow more capilares, it gets easier to get the amount of blood you need on the first try. If he won’t stand still, you can get the blood onto a clean finger nail and test from there.
When you do get some blood you can try milking the ear.
Get you finger and gently push up toward the blood , more will appear
You will put the cotton round behind his ear in case you poke your finger, after you are done testing you will fold the cotton round over his ear to stop the bleeding , press gently for about 20 seconds until it stops
Get 26 or 28 gauge lancets
A lot of us use the lancets to test freehand not the lancing device
I find it better to see where I'm aiming
Look at the lancet under a light and you will see one side is curved upward, that's the side you want to poke with

 

[Bear's Mama]

I'm sorry you re having so much trouble with testing. Don't give up though.
What size lancets are you using?
I would try using size 26 if you haven't already.
Try shining a torch behind the ear so you can see where the vein runs right around the edge of the ear. You need to aim for between the edge of the ear and the vein.
Try not to corner him if you can as this will only put him on high alert.

Bron, Thx so much for this advice.. I am using what came with one touch and they are 28. I just aim for the edge of the ear. I don't have enuf hands...

I am giving him the weekend off. He did not get his insulin last night he was busy hiding from the 8PM attempt...at 11 PM. under the bed.
that is the 3rd time he missed his PM dose because of my trying, in his bed, not cornering....hrs. before.
HE never missed a dose for 3 mo. (as much as he hates his shot) before I started this

 

[Bear's Mama]

Don't k ow if you saw this already
Always aim for the sweet spot warm the ears up first, you can put rice in a sock and put it in the microwave, test it on the inside of your wrist to be sure it's not to hot, like you would test a babies bottle. You can fill a pill bottle with warm water and roll it on the ears also.Just keep rubbing the ears with your fingers to warm them up

6. As the ears get used to bleeding and grow more capilares, it gets easier to get the amount of blood you need on the first try. If he won’t stand still, you can get the blood onto a clean finger nail and test from there.
When you do get some blood you can try milking the ear.
Get you finger and gently push up toward the blood , more will appear
You will put the cotton round behind his ear in case you poke your finger, after you are done testing you will fold the cotton round over his ear to stop the bleeding , press gently for about 20 seconds until it stops
Get 26 or 28 gauge lancets
A lot of us use the lancets to test freehand not the lancing device
I find it better to see where I'm aiming
Look at the lancet under a light and you will see one side is curved upward, that's the side you want to poke with

Diane,
great stuff, but Bear is like Jacques cat, no time for anything, he is fighting all the way. I don't even care if I poke myself, I gave up on the cotton. I have asked on here HOW to freehand? I tried it and he jumped a mile. how quick... how deep? how can you tell??

I will look at the lancet to see the curve, i have not done that.
I don't see ANY blood at 5 the deepest with both the Accucheck device and the one that came with my old OneTouch. So I have checked wiht my opwn finger and it works fine with me. I am trying to hold the ear firm....I just don't know.

Gotta give him a day or 2 to decompress, he was hiding EVEN THIS AM, (not shouting just emphasis with caps) for his AM shot, I had to climb a ladder above the fridge to the highest cupboards to shoot Bear.

I will look into getting 26 lancets

PS I cannot find my conversation with advice from you all, about difficult cats and BG's, it's not under my convo list.

 

[Toeknee]

Diane,
great stuff, but Bear is like Jacques cat, no time for anything, he is fighting all the way. I don't even care if I poke myself, I gave up on the cotton. I have asked on here HOW to freehand? I tried it and he jumped a mile. how quick... how deep? how can you tell??

I will look at the lancet to see the curve, i have not done that.
I don't see ANY blood at 5 the deepest with both the Accucheck device and the one that came with my old OneTouch. So I have checked wiht my opwn finger and it works fine with me. I am trying to hold the ear firm....I just don't know.

Gotta give him a day or 2 to decompress, he was hiding EVEN THIS AM, (not shouting just emphasis with caps) for his AM shot, I had to climb a ladder above the fridge to the highest cupboards to shoot Bear.

I will look into getting 26 lancets

PS I cannot find my conversation with advice from you all, about difficult cats and BG's, it's not under my convo list.

Hi and sorry about your luck. I am a newbie too but now a hand pricker professional. Never bothered using the spring prick, it didn't make sense to me for cat ear so I went manual. Using the little blue One Touch Ultra lances too. If you just get a small, tiny drop you didn't get the sweet spot. Once you get a vein the drop comes up pretty quick. My cat has warm ears too most of the time. I tried warm water in a sandwich bag(don't have a nuker) but I realized I didn't need it I just needed to hit the right spot. The vein is the squishy bit going up the outside of the ear and don't be afraid of poking into it. Grab the ear firmly and you might poke yourself if you go all the way through but you'll know you went in deep enough at that point for sure. There's no noise to freak him out and it isn't that painful because my Buddy isn't too bothered by it anymore. He doesn't like me holding his ear much but he only flinches if I take too long. Use a wet tissue and press it over his ear and squeeze for about 20 seconds when finished and you're done.

 

[Melinda and Kitkat]

PS I cannot find my conversation with advice from you all, about difficult cats and BG's, it's not under my convo list.

Hi, here is the link to that thread..
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB...lly-an-uncooperative-cat.274581/#post-3049348

I will look into getting 26 lancets

Dont give up, you will get it and Bear will come around. You may have much better luck with the heavier gauge lancets and will make short work of it. His ears will begin to bleed easier as he builds up a capillary bed from the pokes. (Yes, this will happen).
Kitkat has his paws crossed you will also sort out his food issues.

 

[Bear's Mama]

Hi, here is the link to that thread..
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB...lly-an-uncooperative-cat.274581/#post-3049348

Dont give up, you will get it and Bear will come around. You may have much better luck with the heavier gauge lancets and will make short work of it. His ears will begin to bleed easier as he builds up a capillary bed from the pokes. (Yes, this will happen).
Kitkat has his paws crossed you will also sort out his food issues.

Thx for the kind words Melinda! lancets coming tues. 26G. Now I have to grow out my nails. (i keep them very short)

also thx for the link! how do you mark favs?

 

[Bear's Mama]

Hi and sorry about your luck. I am a newbie too but now a hand pricker professional. Never bothered using the spring prick, it didn't make sense to me for cat ear so I went manual. Using the little blue One Touch Ultra lances too. If you just get a small, tiny drop you didn't get the sweet spot. Once you get a vein the drop comes up pretty quick. My cat has warm ears too most of the time. I tried warm water in a sandwich bag(don't have a nuker) but I realized I didn't need it I just needed to hit the right spot. The vein is the squishy bit going up the outside of the ear and don't be afraid of poking into it. Grab the ear firmly and you might poke yourself if you go all the way through but you'll know you went in deep enough at that point for sure. There's no noise to freak him out and it isn't that painful because my Buddy isn't too bothered by it anymore. He doesn't like me holding his ear much but he only flinches if I take too long. Use a wet tissue and press it over his ear and squeeze for about 20 seconds when finished and you're done.

Toeknee, Thx so much for this info, it is very helpful so I go in at an angle then, with the bevel up? I imagine I cannot go at a 90 degree angle???? Then the bevel would not be up correct? 45 degrees?

 

[Jacques and Pumpkin]

Hi Bear’s Mama

A few more thoughts:

When I was starting, I would just go straight 90 degrees to the ear. I’d go through more than half the time. It’s not that I was trying to, I just wanted to make sure I got a good poke and didn’t bounce off the skin.

At first I would get such tiny little drops of blood I wasn’t sure it had worked. I had to use a flashlight to see the little glistening drop in her fur (Pumpkin has black fur on her ears so the blood blends right in). Like everyone said, I get much larger drops now. But when I was starting I would have to get a flashlight out and shine it right at her ear to confirm it worked. It was never enough to get a good test result at first, except on the Abbott FreeStyle (which I’d only recommend using while you’re starting out).

Also, a trick I learned in one video is you can use the ridge on the lancet handle to scoop up the blood. No need to worry about putting down the lancet, and it works if you don’t have long nails. Only works if you’re freehanding, of course. I think that was the only useful thing those videos taught me, since they’re clearly staged with stunt cats who love nothing more than getting their blood tested!

 

[Bear's Mama]

Hi Bear’s Mama

A few more thoughts:

When I was starting, I would just go straight 90 degrees to the ear. I’d go through more than half the time. It’s not that I was trying to, I just wanted to make sure I got a good poke and didn’t bounce off the skin.

At first I would get such tiny little drops of blood I wasn’t sure it had worked. I had to use a flashlight to see the little glistening drop in her fur (Pumpkin has black fur on her ears so the blood blends right in). Like everyone said, I get much larger drops now. But when I was starting I would have to get a flashlight out and shine it right at her ear to confirm it worked. It was never enough to get a good test result at first, except on the Abbott FreeStyle (which I’d only recommend using while you’re starting out).

Also, a trick I learned in one video is you can use the ridge on the lancet handle to scoop up the blood. No need to worry about putting down the lancet, and it works if you don’t have long nails. Only works if you’re freehanding, of course. I think that was the only useful thing those videos taught me, since they’re clearly staged with stunt cats who love nothing more than getting their blood tested!

Jacques,
Love your comment about the stunt cats, never thought of that, but agree they were nothing like my cat Bear! LOL I am planning on freehand when i get the bigger 26 G lancets on Tuesday. Bear-Bear needed a break anyway, cuz as soon as i start again he is going to hide from his shots.
I'm gonna go look for the ridge on the 28's I have right now, that is a great tip!!!
So I am looking at the many ridges...LOL, do you mean the side ridges? there are 4 of them. thx so much friend. I look forward to your reply

 

[Virginie & Chewie (GA)]

One thing that helps too is rubbing a very thin layer of vaseline on the fur side of the ear - when you do get blood, the vaseline helps it form a drop instead of spreading in the fur. Nothing more frustrating than FINALLY getting a drop and it spreading and being lost in the fur!

 

[Bear's Mama]

One thing that helps too is rubbing a very thin layer of vaseline on the fur side of the ear - when you do get blood, the vaseline helps it form a drop instead of spreading in the fur. Nothing more frustrating than FINALLY getting a drop and it spreading and being lost in the fur!

Virginia,
I saw that online, but hadn't heard anyone on here doing it, just afraid one more thing for Bear to get upset about, but I really like it! Thx, Mary

 

[Toeknee]

Toeknee, Thx so much for this info, it is very helpful so I go in at an angle then, with the bevel up? I imagine I cannot go at a 90 degree angle???? Then the bevel would not be up correct? 45 degrees?

I never even thought about that for the lancets as the spring loaded mechanism is used at a 90 degree angle. For me it seems like I am hitting the target on the first or second poke now and I am not sure if it's because I am honed in on the right spot or if it's because of all the new capillaries that are supposedly created from all the pokes. But it's getting easier and more successful and he is getting used to it as I am getting more comfortable with it and the same will happen with you. Bear knows when you're nervous so fake confidence until you no longer need to. You're not hurting him you're helping him get better.

 

[Bear's Mama]

I never even thought about that for the lancets as the spring loaded mechanism is used at a 90 degree angle. For me it seems like I am hitting the target on the first or second poke now and I am not sure if it's because I am honed in on the right spot or if it's because of all the new capillaries that are supposedly created from all the pokes. But it's getting easier and more successful and he is getting used to it as I am getting more comfortable with it and the same will happen with you. Bear knows when you're nervous so fake confidence until you no longer need to. You're not hurting him you're helping him get better.

Toeknee, Thx so you are just sticking straight in? you are not looking at the bevel? I was told to watch that the bevel is up doing freehand. thx also about faking it

 

[MimiG]

I don’t look at the bevel either and just poke at about 90 degrees freehand.

 

[Linda and Newman]

Because my mobility is somewhat limited by wheelchair use, it was imperative that Newman be cooperative in his treatment. A friend suggested that I offer him a treat at the location I had chosen for best access when I did not do anything to him but give the treat and pet him, briefly touching his ears and gently pinching and releasing the scruff. After just a few times of doing this, he changed from a growling cat to one who shows up at test and treat time almost like clockwork. I also found that the less I restrained him, the more still he remained.

As to using vaseline, I have used it a few times when his ear looks a little sore. It aids in healing and the blood does bead easier.

 

[Melinda and Kitkat]

how do you mark favs?

Sorry, I have absolutely no idea!!! Don't even know if you can, Im a computer dummy lol.
I liked the stunt cat comments.... when I started I just may have even believed it too, trust me I had my fair share of difficulties with the pokes. But i will point out there is discussion about 2 different things going on with the angle. The lancing device is designed to be used perfectly straight up and down at that 90 degree angle, holding it sideways or at 45 degrees to the ear will be very problematic. When freehanding, thats a whole new ballgame, and some find the 45 more successful, some find 90 degrees works well, ECID. Your technique, your comfort, kitties tolerance and patience and ability to bleed affects all these. You will sort what works best for you and Bear
PS. My kitty could now do a video about poking too, and appear much like the "stunt cats" you see, and honestly... how helpful is watching a video of a struggling cat, pinning them down, watching the claws come out and howling, and being tag teamed by two people to get a test????? It would show you it can be tough at first, yes. BUT the whole point of the videos is to see the poker's technique, and how they handle the kitty. It's what you're striving for, and you will get there

 

[MimiG]

As to using vaseline, I have used it a few times when his ear looks a little sore. It aids in healing and the blood does bead easier.

I apply aloe gel to Freddie’s ears after each BG test.

 

[Bear's Mama]

Sorry, I have absolutely no idea!!! Don't even know if you can, Im a computer dummy lol.
I liked the stunt cat comments.... when I started I just may have even believed it too, trust me I had my fair share of difficulties with the pokes. But i will point out there is discussion about 2 different things going on with the angle. The lancing device is designed to be used perfectly straight up and down at that 90 degree angle, holding it sideways or at 45 degrees to the ear will be very problematic. When freehanding, thats a whole new ballgame, and some find the 45 more successful, some find 90 degrees works well, ECID. Your technique, your comfort, kitties tolerance and patience and ability to bleed affects all these. You will sort what works best for you and Bear
PS. My kitty could now do a video about poking too, and appear much like the "stunt cats" you see, and honestly... how helpful is watching a video of a struggling cat, pinning them down, watching the claws come out and howling, and being tag teamed by two people to get a test????? It would show you it can be tough at first, yes. BUT the whole point of the videos is to see the poker's technique, and how they handle the kitty. It's what you're striving for, and you will get there

Melinda, I watched 1 vet video and his hands were in the way of seeing ANYTHING LOL. a completely useless video

 

[Bear's Mama]

Because my mobility is somewhat limited by wheelchair use, it was imperative that Newman be cooperative in his treatment. A friend suggested that I offer him a treat at the location I had chosen for best access when I did not do anything to him but give the treat and pet him, briefly touching his ears and gently pinching and releasing the scruff. After just a few times of doing this, he changed from a growling cat to one who shows up at test and treat time almost like clockwork. I also found that the less I restrained him, the more still he remained.

As to using vaseline, I have used it a few times when his ear looks a little sore. It aids in healing and the blood does bead easier.

Linda, that is an amazing story!!! Thank you!!

 

[Bear's Mama]

I don’t look at the bevel either and just poke at about 90 degrees freehand.

Beauiful baby! MimiG

 

[Bear's Mama]

Because my mobility is somewhat limited by wheelchair use, it was imperative that Newman be cooperative in his treatment. A friend suggested that I offer him a treat at the location I had chosen for best access when I did not do anything to him but give the treat and pet him, briefly touching his ears and gently pinching and releasing the scruff. After just a few times of doing this, he changed from a growling cat to one who shows up at test and treat time almost like clockwork. I also found that the less I restrained him, the more still he remained.

As to using vaseline, I have used it a few times when his ear looks a little sore. It aids in healing and the blood does bead easier.

I lived in Lantana from 1993-1997 then moved to BB till 2005. Had a FD cat there also and was easy peasy to test!! Those were the days

 

[Linda and Newman]

I lived in Lantana from 1993-1997 then moved to BB till 2005. Had a FD cat there also and was easy peasy to test!! Those were the days

I was Linda and Unkie posting on FDMB with my first diabetic cat and still have friends found in that group. I have lived in Lantana since 1973 so I have to wonder if our paths crossed.

It's been kind of hard to get started again after all of this time. Newman has been so cooperative and we have found our groove but have yet to dial in an ongoing dose to settle with more or less.

What was your kitty's name on your first go back then?

 

[Bear's Mama]

I was Linda and Unkie posting on FDMB with my first diabetic cat and still have friends found in that group. I have lived in Lantana since 1973 so I have to wonder if our paths crossed.

It's been kind of hard to get started again after all of this time. Newman has been so cooperative and we have found our groove but have yet to dial in an ongoing dose to settle with more or less.

What was your kitty's name on your first go back then?

Hi Linda,
good to meet you! my cat was Watson and he was sooo sweet and let me do anything to him, home tested from the getgo. he eventually was OTJ after switching to all wet food and shooting each time for that particular number, to jump-start his pancreas, per the vet online here at that time, just found her name it was Elizabeth Hodgkins DVM from CA, all-about-cats.com. I was on here I would say from 2004-2005 August. Hurricane Frances brought FD on per stress, ( i stayed with a friend with all 7 cats and dog in 1 bedroom) for the labor day weekend storm and he had his head in his water dish about passed out. The friend I was staying with knew a lot about cats and her neighbor was a vet tech and sent over IV fluids and we gave him fluids till I could get to a vet that Tuesday after the holiday. We moved up here to Jacksonville and got him down to 0 units and he lived another few yrs. He was a Feral that adopted me on my porch in Boynton beach. "Hope" was my benefactor on here, from Mich., and bought me the OneTouch and insulin and EVERYTHING. I was unemployed at the time and had 7 kitties and a dog. I couldn't have done it without her kindness and generosity.
I just pulled out some old notes from Watson I copied from here and Carol Notermann would email me tips. Dated 2/5/2005. LOL..Her cat was Freddie. Hopes cat was Baby. There was Alita Pipe also, 1 email from her. and Steve and Jock.

OK that's it for me tonight Linda, waiting for 26G lancets tomorrow and starting my attempts over with Bear. Say a prayer for me. thx

 

[Nava&Boris]

Hi Bear’s Mama,

I’ve just noticed that you posted me, asking for tips on testing in your last thread. I’m not sure what I can add on top of the advice you already got from other members here on the FDMB, but I still wanted to tell you that I empathize deeply with your situation. I was in a similar place with my kitty about 18 months ago. Boris is quite a cuddly cat, a lot more than his civvie sister Orna. But like your Bear, he can’t be picked up and can be touched only on his own terms. About one month before I finally figured out how to solve our testing problems (with Boris… as I already mentioned, it was only fresh chicken that ‘broke’ him in the end. Not freezed dried or any other kind of treat…) I tried to force a BG curve on him and got bitten so badly that I was shaking all over for quite a while Just don’t give up. I’m sure you’ll find Bear’s testing ‘kryptonite’ if you keep trying.

My advice concerning the beginning of the testing is that you shouldn’t be afraid to poke the ear too deep, or afraid of hitting the vane. I think it is better to draw too much blood at first than nothing at all. When I was just starting to test Boris, it wasn’t very elegant. But I’ve been shooting blind for so long by then, that despite his somewhat wounded ears I was happy that at last, Im not putting him in any serious danger. I’ve also seen Diane sent you the pic. of the testing ‘sweet spot’. ECID of course, but I tend to get a bigger drop of blood by poking on the lower part of the sweet spot. That is, closer to the base of the ear and not to the tip.

Good luck! I’m crossing my fingers for both of you

Nava A.

 

[Bear's Mama]

Hi Bear’s Mama,

I’ve just noticed that you posted me, asking for tips on testing in your last thread. I’m not sure what I can add on top of the advice you already got from other members here on the FDMB, but I still wanted to tell you that I empathize deeply with your situation. I was in a similar place with my kitty about 18 months ago. Boris is quite a cuddly cat, a lot more than his civvie sister Orna. But like your Bear, he can’t be picked up and can be touched only on his own terms. About one month before I finally figured out how to solve our testing problems (with Boris… as I already mentioned, it was only fresh chicken that ‘broke’ him in the end. Not freezed dried or any other kind of treat…) I tried to force a BG curve on him and got bitten so badly that I was shaking all over for quite a while Just don’t give up. I’m sure you’ll find Bear’s testing ‘kryptonite’ if you keep trying.

My advice concerning the beginning of the testing is that you shouldn’t be afraid to poke the ear too deep, or afraid of hitting the vane. I think it is better to draw too much blood at first than nothing at all. When I was just starting to test Boris, it wasn’t very elegant. But I’ve been shooting blind for so long by then, that despite his somewhat wounded ears I was happy that at last, Im not putting him in any serious danger. I’ve also seen Diane sent you the pic. of the testing ‘sweet spot’. ECID of course, but I tend to get a bigger drop of blood by poking on the lower part of the sweet spot. That is, closer to the base of the ear and not to the tip.

Good luck! I’m crossing my fingers for both of you

Nava A.

 

[Bear's Mama]

Nava,
thx so much any advice is appreciated, my challenge is finding the PLACE to do it, since he will not be picked up without panicking. I'm thinking of trying 1 mama's advice and put him in the bathrm. with treats over and over for a matter of days before i test him.

I was concerned about too deep, and hitting the vein... the one time i tried freehand and got nothing he JUMPED>>. waiting on 26G lancets today. He is loving his new freeze dried chicken treats (along with every one else including the dog...thanks again, gonna upload a new closerup pic now. Mary

 

[Larry and Kitties]

I was concerned about too deep, and hitting the vein

Numerous times I have fully penetrated the ear and got a little blood on the backside.

 

[Virginie & Chewie (GA)]

Learned a trick for small drops that flatten/spread in the fur and wouldn't be enough if you just stuck the end of the test strip in them: use the test strip (inserted in the meter) to "scoop up" the blood by starting at one end of the blood splotch, at about a 45° angle, and then keep pushing the strip along the ear to gather up all the blood - that way you can usually (although not always) get enough for the meter.

 

[Bear's Mama]

Learned a trick for small drops that flatten/spread in the fur and wouldn't be enough if you just stuck the end of the test strip in them: use the test strip (inserted in the meter) to "scoop up" the blood by starting at one end of the blood splotch, at about a 45° angle, and then keep pushing the strip along the ear to gather up all the blood - that way you can usually (although not always) get enough for the meter.[/QUOT

Virginie, LOve this trick thx so much!!!

 

[Jacques and Pumpkin]

Jacques,
Love your comment about the stunt cats, never thought of that, but agree they were nothing like my cat Bear! LOL I am planning on freehand when i get the bigger 26 G lancets on Tuesday. Bear-Bear needed a break anyway, cuz as soon as i start again he is going to hide from his shots.
I'm gonna go look for the ridge on the 28's I have right now, that is a great tip!!!
So I am looking at the many ridges...LOL, do you mean the side ridges? there are 4 of them. thx so much friend. I look forward to your reply

Yes, exactly, the side ridges. On my lancets, two of the side ridges are nice and straight, and two of them have a bunch of bumps and holes from the manufacturing process. I use the straight sides.

 

[Bear's Mama]

thx so much for the details Jacques, you have been very helpful to me. still chicken here....