2/13 Pumpkin AMPS 368 - Testing Question again

Status
Not open for further replies.
pumpkins mom

pumpkins mom

Member Since 2012
Hi all, I think my post disappeared when we moved over to the new server. I had asked if anyone had any ideas how I could make the BG testing a little bit better for Pumpkin. If anyone had previously answered me, could you please repost your reply? I'd really appreciate your help. For the last week it has been almost impossible to get blood from Pumpkin's ear. I have tried using the warmed rice-filled sock. I also read on the site to use Neosporin with Pain Relief and I just bought some this morning and will try it tonight. I have only been checking him in AM and PM since it is so difficult and Pumpkin has been crying when I try to test him. His numbers have been in the high 300's lately so I think a curve might be in order to see what he is doing throughout the day. Any suggestions on how to make his blood tests a little more bearable would be really appreciated. Thanks again. Ann (Pumpkin's mom)
 
Assume Pumpkin gets a treat?
I usually let Honey eat her treat as I test - I use sprinkles (freeze dried chicken) to keep her happy and then poke & test.
Sometimes its tricky if she moves her head around too much - but its a good distraction.

Are you using the other tricks?
vaseline to make the blood bleed
26 to 28 gauge lancets (I switched up to the finer 32 gauge ones and could not get any blood)
sometimes just rubbing the ear to warm it works, rather than the sock - Honey hated the sock more than the poke, I don't use it now as her ears bleed well.
switching ears, switching spots on ears

Maybe he's also picking up that you're upset doing it - I know with Honey if I'm rushed (work, kids, life in general) things don't go so well. I'm stressed and it stresses her.
 
What I'd posted previously is that:
  • If you're not already doing so, try using a thicker lancet. You may have better success with a 26 - 28 gauge lancet until the capillary bed in Pumpkin's ear is better built up.
  • One ear typically bleeds better so try the other ear and see if this is the case.
  • Try the 2-poke method. Poke a second time as close to the first poke as possible. Sometimes, the combined pokes will coalesce and you'll get enough blood to fill a test strip.
 
Thanks for all the great ideas. I will try them. I also agree that Pumpkin is picking up on my being upset. I will keep in touch. Thanks again for all your advice. Hope your kitties are all doing well. Ann
 
Hi,
i have found that if I go just a little higher then the sweet spot , really close to the edge, closer to the tip, I have more luck getting a sample on the first try. And if you put a little pressure under the poke, you can kind of milk the ear which makes the droplet a little bigger...

ear_web1_zps0bf45a17.jpg
 
Hi Ann, are you using the lancet or doing it free handed? Did you manage to get blood or is the blood size not enough?
I believe before warmup Pumpkin's ear, warm up Pumpkin first :razz: Usually I'll run the warm bottle ( I used a plastic botle with hot water inside to warm up Rosy's ear) along the back, under the neck to relax Rosy first. She gets impatient when DH 's doing the poking as he's impatient & she sensed it. Let the cat know that you are incharge & you are not scared of this. It's worth spending more time on the warmup. And, I am more poking at a more slanted angle than a vertical angle, if you get what I mean. The tip of the needle is not pointed but cut. If I do the poking vertical which I thought the wound is smaller, too ofter I could not get enough blood & had to do a second poke which is worse.
Hang in there. I am sure you can do it with Pumpkin!
 
I am using the Bayer Color Microlet Lancets which I just found out are 28 gauge. I am using the Microlet Lancet 2 with the clear top. Can I use a 32 gauge lancet in that or do I need a different one. I still am not comfortable not using a lancet device, but will do it if you think it will work better. The warm bottle is a great idea, and I know I am usually in a rush when I do the testing becasue I am usually heading out to work in the morning, so maybe I just need to slow down and allow more time so that Pumpkin does not get so annoyed. I tried the Neosporin with Pain Relief this morning and he did not mind it. The picture of the sweet spot really helps, since I think I was pricking Pumpkin's ear too low. Thanks again for all the wonderful ideas! You guys are definitely the experts!
 
If you are comfortable with the lancing device... stay with it.
I was never able to do it freehand... i'm too inconsistent with how much pressure and my cat would yowl at me. She said no to freehand. :o
She prefers the clicking .... it tells her what's coming...

Everyone has their preferences and either way is correct.

32 gauge is really fine... for humans...
look and see if your device has different sizes available and get 26 gauge or 28 instead.
It's hard to use the finer gauge on cats. Maybe eventually when her ears learn to bleed better.

I have the accuchek softclix plus which came with 28 gauge lancets...
I previously had one that was 32 gauge and I was having to poke too many times to get a sample... which frustrated both of us...
 
You've gotten great advice already - I just want to say you're doing great and hang in there! You CAN do this and you WILL get it! Pumpkin is lucky to have such a great Mamabean!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top