2nd test attempt, dismal. Advice please (newbie)

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Megan & Oren

Megan & Oren

Member Since 2015
I somehow managed a successful though pretty stressful test this am pre-shot, but despite all efforts with a calmer kitty this afternoon, trying at +5.5 and again about+6 and even one more time at +6.75, I can't be successful. I've jabbed him several times in both ears; only got blood once, and it wasn't enough, so I feel awful to try and mess with him again. He got a few fingerfuls of canned food and lots of snuggles, scritches as a treat after each time and isn't acting too put out, but I'm wondering how often is ok to keep trying in any given session. I sure don't want to overstress him... But I'm dying here since his a.m shot was so high...565. Yet, he's not drinking/peeing excessively today, purring a lot, seems pretty chipper (when not napping)... SHould i give it up for today and try again tomorrow?
  • :(
 
Relax---and breathe!!! Congratulations on getting your first test in- take a deep breath and pat yourself on the back- you're doing great!! What meter are you using? My first meter took way too much blood, when I switched to the RelionMicro it got a lot easier for us. (and no, I don't get paid to say go to Walmart! ;))

Get some treats- My Tiger loves Pure Bites Chicken! Throughout the day, practice rubbing your kitty's ears, then give a treat.For me, I used the 3 pokes and then quit for that test time. Even if you don't get blood, give the treat and hug and love kitty, believe it or not, my Tiger loves to be praised as well! Pretty soon, it will become mindless. I was terrified at first, my hands were freezing cold and shook like crazy. But it got easier and now Tiger is waiting for me on her pillow in the kitchen. One more suggestion that helped, you're probably nervous, try singing while you test. Your cat will look at you like you're crazy- and you will laugh and that breaks up the stress that you feel! Do you know the Hokey Pokey song?>:smuggrin::smuggrin:
 
Hi Ruth;
THanks!! well, believe it or not, I did everything you said, even the singing part! He actually remained pretty calm for the most part, but my concern is over sticking him w/ no results. I guess I should wait till later this evening? And yes, I'm using a Relion Confirm... on my first attempt I knew I had enough, think i got lucky and actually hit the vein. The 2nd time when I did draw some blood, it just didn't look like it would be enough; i almost went for it but he moved a bit and it dabbed onto my finger, so i lost it anyway!! I know everyone says to keep at it, but I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed right now.

also, my spreadsheet didn't seem to be updated w/ the info. i put into it, so i deleted it from Google drive, and re-uploaded it, but now it seems all messed up! another thing to stress about. Thought i had followed the instructions carefully. I sound like a whiny baby here I know, sorry! just venting mostly. And worried about my boo...
 
((((Megan)))) We were all in your shoes!! You're not sounding anything but how a concerned Kitty Mom should sound! And this is a support forum and the place to vent is here--we are with you!! Take a deep breath and another!! This is a lot to take in, none of us could take it all in at once, you're doing an awesome job just being here and learning to test- that will keep Oren safe and that's big. :bighug::bighug:

Yes, if you can't get blood in 3 tries, praise Oren, give the treat and be done with it. If you do manage to draw even a bit of blood and know you can't get it on the test strip- try to get it on your fingernail- then you can usually use the meter test strip to suck it up.(if that makes sense?) Don't worry about hitting the vein either, been there :rolleyes::rolleyes: Do you have Neosporin with Pain Relief? I just take a cotton swap and clamp down on Tiger's ear with the Neosporin when that happens.

Don't sweat the SS--If you get stuck, go to the Tech Support page and post-BJ or someone else will walk you through. Try this first though, log into Google Drive- click on your SS and look at the top right of the SS page. There should be something that says Share.
 
that' ok Ruth, I pretty much thought that was the case, and I just went through the whole instruction sheet again, but still don't see my entries reflected in it. I posted in the Tech/Support, hopefully someone will get it straightened out later. I'm kinda wrung out now...! Thanks for the support, it does help. I'm pretty amazed at the people on here, and doubt I'll ever be quite as knowledgeable and worthy!
 
and just to be clear, am I done for the day with testing after 3 fails? Just try again tomorrow? sorry, I'm kinda blurry now...
 
If you're done with testing for the day, then by all means, give both of yourselves a break. You did good! You got in one successful test with numbers and three practice tests without numbers! Every test you do, regardless of getting BGs, is helping both of you become more comfortable with the testing process and helping you become more skilled and develop your own personal technique.

It can sometimes take a bit more time to get the testing down, and that's okay! It took me and Mikey an entire week before I got one successful test in and then another month before we were able to make it more routine. Just keep practicing and it will get better.:bighug:
 
Congrats on getting your test in this morning. It is scary and overwhelming at first, but soon you'll be able to do it in your sleep. Definitely make sure to keep stock of diabetic friendly treats. I always have several containers on hand of Halo freeze dried treats, my cats love them! As soon as they hear me getting the test kit out they all come running because they know they will ALL get treats lol and luckily Hidey doesnt mind test time AT ALL now because he knows he'll get his chicken. Are you warming the ear? Warming the ear definitely helps the blood flow.
 
"jumping in here re: the frequent, smaller meals. How do I go about starting that? Given that Oren is getting 1 3.3oz can of fancy feast in the morning, and 1 at night (before each shot), how much of that amount do I give him in the morning that is a safe amount for shooting and how large are the 3-4 meals spread throughout the day? Is it still 1 whole can for the a.m shot, then the 2nd can broken up into smaller amounts, and another bit in the evening? and Cindy; does Nacho eat the chicken cubes while frozen?!
Indeed, SO much to learn"

I saw your question on the other thread, rather than address it there, I will answer here. Many of us divide the daily meals into 6 mini meals. Notice on your Spread Sheet that there are slots for +1, +2, etc? I divide the daily food into 6 meals- so I feed at +1, +2 and +3 both in the morning and evening. Later on you will learn to steer Oren's curve with food in this same way- feeding more in the earliest part of the cycle when the insulin is just starting to take effect and trying not to feed during the later half when the insulin is at it's weakest.

Do you work outside the home? An automatic feeder may help you out- I have this one that I got from Amazon. Once Tiger stopped being afraid of the noise it makes :rolleyes:, it makes our lives easier. :smuggrin:
 
Are you using the pen lancet that comes with the machine? I had to turn mine 'up' so it went deeper into the ear before I could get blood. I would warm the ear and then apply pressure with my finger towards the back of the ear because someone explained that it helped the blood to pool in the ear.
 
Warming the ear for longer than you might think necessary really helps, especially in the early days of testing. As you continue to test, more capillaries will form in the test sites and this will make getting a blood sample much, much easier.
 
I had the same struggle at first, and the Neosporin with pain relief helped a ton. Not only did it heal Henry's mangled ears seemingly overnight (I hadn't seen the "3 strikes" guideline before we started, so we probably stuck him 10 times the first couple of tests :facepalm:), but when applied before the test it also really seems to help the blood bead up and not soak into the fur. So I apply it both before and after. I also do not use the lancet device's cap at all; I still use the device, so it's not the same as using the lancet freehand, but I find I am able to see where I am aiming much better without the cap.

It does get easier, usually after a week or so once the ears have learned to bleed. And I admit I was very skeptical when people here told me Henry would come out for the tests after a while, but he really does! (Along with his sister, waiting for her "moral support" treat.)
 
Do you have sunburn ointment for pain relief? If it is in a petroleum base and has a pain reliever, that'd work. Just a dab before testing, wipe off well, and test. Or, as a finagle, use a topical burn reliever dabbed on for a couple minutes and wiped off, then a dab of petroleum jelly, wiped off.
 
I use a infant sock with rice inside, heat it in the microwave and then hold it on the inside of the ear to dialate the capillaries and encrease blood flow there. I do not try to wrap or restrain the cat othe than a mild snuggle. Just a single prick is what it takes. I use the relion model from Walmart. It requires very little blood to test. After, I apply pressure over the puncture site and then a light touch of vaseline over the same. Her ears stay soft and supple and no inflamation at the puncture site. I also lay out everything I need to feed her prior to the testing. She associates the test with being fed and has't given me a problems since. Good luck from Jane and Stewey
 
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