? 11/10/22 - Squeaky! End of life question

Jan D & Squeaky

Jan D & Squeaky

Member Since 2020
Hi Everyone,

It's getting harder and harder to get any blood out of his ears, even from the sweet spot.

His little paws are also starting to get colder.

Any clues where I can easily get blood to test glucose? or at this point maybe just give it up?

Thanks,
Jan
 
Have you tried warming his ears before sticking him? I think some people use a sock with rice in it and warm it just a little in the microwave or you can warm a washcloth in the dryer. It doesn’t take much to warm their ears. Max’s ears get cold too and I have to do that sometimes. It gets easier as time goes on though, their ears just learn to bleed. Don’t give up.:bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
I am so sorry you seem to be nearing the end for dear little Squeaky. I have only been around here since January and I am not one of the expert gurus, so sorry to say I do not have any magic words of advice for you but I just wanted to offer condolences on your struggles.
 
I am so sorry you are struggling to test Squeaky! Diabetes itself can cause circulation issues, so I would hate to see you give up testing when his bg is still so poorly regulated. You could try a meter that needs even less blood than the Relion? I used the freestyle lite and it definitely made things easier. You could also try leaving a heating pad on for Squeaky? Simon loved this. I also kept down sleeping bags out for him to snuggle into. Keeping his overall body temperature higher could make him more comfortable.
I will be wishing you and Squeaky good luck :bighug:
 
Warming the ears (as has been mentioned) and massaging them gently is the best I can come up with. I found it was generally harder to get blood when the BG was running in lower numbers. Cold ears also made it harder.

Not related to getting blood, but rather a quality of life suggestion for Squeaky as the end draws closer … you might want to offer a SnuggleSafe to cozy up to, possibly in a self-warming soft/fluffy bed (assuming Squeaky can physically still move away from the heat if desired). Seems the older/sicker ones really gravitate toward the heat and, especially toward end of life, the body temp starts to lower, so whatever comfort we can provide…
 
Max & Lori said:
Have you tried warming his ears before sticking him? I think some people use a sock with rice in it and warm it just a little in the microwave or you can warm a washcloth in the dryer. It doesn’t take much to warm their ears. Max’s ears get cold too and I have to do that sometimes. It gets easier as time goes on though, their ears just learn to bleed. Don’t give up.:bighug::bighug::bighug:
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JL and Chip said:
Warming the ears (as has been mentioned) and massaging them gently is the best I can come up with. I found it was generally harder to get blood when the BG was running in lower numbers. Cold ears also made it harder.
Not related to getting blood, but rather a quality of life suggestion for Squeaky as the end draws closer … you might want to offer a SnuggleSafe to cozy up to, possibly in a self-warming soft/fluffy bed (assuming Squeaky can physically still move away from the heat if desired). Seems the older/sicker ones really gravitate toward the heat and, especially toward end of life, the body temp starts to lower, so whatever comfort we can provide…
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Hendrick Cuddleclaw said:
I am so sorry you seem to be nearing the end for dear little Squeaky. I have only been around here since January and I am not one of the expert gurus, so sorry to say I do not have any magic words of advice for you but I just wanted to offer condolences on your struggles.
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Hi Max and Lori, JL and Chip, Hendrick Cuddleclaw! Thanks for your replies and compassion! We are already using an ear warmer, plus I massage his ears to stimulate blood flow, and it isn't working any more. The ears have already learned to bleed, but there's just no blood.

We do have an electric cat bed (4 watts), so far he can get on and off. I will think about a snugglesafe. We also have a radiator heater in the room and he can sit near it.

Yes this is a challenge! His BG numbers have tended to vary between high greens and 500. I tried two pricks this morning in the ears but gave up because there was not enough blood.

Guess I can try paws but they are colder so might not have blood either. Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and good wishes.
 
Gosh, I can only echo the thought on warming ears with various warmers. I do notice that with Eddie, the lower his numbers the more tries to get blood even from a reliable area.

I'm sending you and Squeaky all good thoughts in the meantime.
 
If you are on a dose that is giving you high greens, I'd lower the dose. At this point, you just want him to be comfortable.

Any chance Squeaky is dehydrated? Just wondering if some warmed subq would help him feel better and provide more liquid in his body - provided the vet is OK with it.

Sending comfort to you and Squeaky.
 
Ditto on what Wendy said on subQ fluids. Dehydration makes them (and us for that matter) very crappy. Quality of life in final stages is still quality of life. Dehydration can very likely affect ability to get a blood sample as well.

Thinking of you.
 
I third the fluids idea (with vet’s blessings as I see he has a heart murmur but could still be ok and needed). Dehydration can also lower body temp. so fluids might help warm him up. Sending love and light to you and Squeaky.:bighug:
 
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Jodey&Eddie&Blue said:
Gosh, I can only echo the thought on warming ears with various warmers. I do notice that with Eddie, the lower his numbers the more tries to get blood even from a reliable area.

I'm sending you and Squeaky all good thoughts in the meantime.
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Jackie and Biggie said:
I third the fluids idea (with vet’s blessings as I see he has a heart murmur but could still be ok and needed). Dehydration can also lower body temp. so fluids might help warm him up. Sending love and light to you and Squeaky.:bighug:
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Wendy&Neko said:
If you are on a dose that is giving you high greens, I'd lower the dose. At this point, you just want him to be comfortable.

Any chance Squeaky is dehydrated? Just wondering if some warmed subq would help him feel better and provide more liquid in his body - provided the vet is OK with it.

Sending comfort to you and Squeaky.
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JL and Chip said:
Ditto on what Wendy said on subQ fluids. Dehydration makes them (and us for that matter) very crappy. Quality of life in final stages is still quality of life. Dehydration can very likely affect ability to get a blood sample as well.

Thinking of you.
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Thanks everyone for your caring and comments. I wonder what else I could do for ear warming.

I am still giving him warm Sub Q because it seems helpful. Maybe I should do it more frequently in smaller amounts. Wendy sorry I have not been able to keep up with the spreadsheet. I did lower his dose, when he is in the high 400s or 500s instead of giving him 5 units (what he was on) I only give 3. His greens happen because his eating is sporadic to little, now it is none. He's really getting ready to transition. Y'all are telling me I'm doing the right things. Thanks for your warm and caring.

We had a session with the animal communicator this afternoon, it was very helpful. Also I want to mention BrightHaven. Gail Pope is also helping me understand this process and between the communicator and Gail, I feel we are doing this very well and it will all go well. I am doing much better emotionally because of all the support. Thank you everyone for all the help through the years. I will keep you posted.
 
carfurby said:
I don't have any suggestions. Sending prayers. :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
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thebigfuzz said:
:bighug::bighug::bighug:
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Oh thank you both. It is so nice to hear from everyone who helped us so much when Squeaky's diabetes journey started, I think it was about 2 years ago. Thank you all for being there! I hope all of your kitties are doing well, and you too! Squeaky and I have a good circumstance right now, it will be a tender and meaningful passage. Sending hugs back! :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
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