3/7 Phoenix - Had a Scare This Morning

Scdal

Scdal

Member Since 2020
My knees are still shaking. I went to check Phoenix's BG at +1. I got his reading and applied pressure to the ear just like I usually do. This time it wouldn't stop bleeding. I went through 2 paper towels and it was still bleeding. I have never had this happen before.

I finally grabbed my phone and called his vet. It is Sunday but one thing I love about my new vet is that they always have a vet on call. He picked up immediately and asked if I had any baking powder. I did and immediately applied just a little bit between my fingers as he instructed. It stopped within 30 seconds.

One thing I have noticed is that lately Phoenix's ears bleed very easily and seem to bleed more. I think some people have mentioned that the ears become accustomed to bleeding. I have some smaller lancets that I purchased when Phoenix was just diagnosed. I didn't use many because they were too small and I couldn't get enough blood.

Is this a usual occurrence after they have been diabetic for while? It really shook me up. I thought that applying pressure would always stop it within seconds but I found out that sometimes that is not the case.
 
Yes, I've had the same thing happen...I think I hit a vein there...do you have a really bright flashlight? If so, you might want to put it under Phoenix's ear and really look closely to see where those veins are. Try to remember that particular area and avoid it if possible. It happens to all of us...just when we think we've got it all under control...you get a gusher...Luci likes to sling it on my pale yellow walls and white baseboards - and the floor - so I have the lovely job of cleaning all that up...sometimes I don't notice it for a bit...and there's drops of blood everywhere...sheesh...

Glad your vet was able to help you out with the baking soda tip. I've not heard that one - I usually have just a tissue nearby and when I catch it, I hold it in place for as long as Luci will tolerate it...maybe 30 seconds or so...but then that gets old and she wants to go eat!

Have a good day Susan! Sorry about the upsetting event this morning! Let's hope the next tests are more uneventful.
 
Sorry you and Phoenix went through that! I've also hit the vein in her ear and ended up with blood all over my couch and butters's ear was bruised:(. It happens...rarely, thank goodness. I use the lancing device which makes it a lot harder for me to see what I'm doing vs just freehanding with the lancets.
I found that Butters's ears started to bleed much more easily lately as well. I switched from 28g to 31g lancets recently and they work just as well, whereas I'd never been able to use them before.
 
I'm so sorry you had to deal with that. As the others have said it can happen if you hit a vein or a capillary. Sometimes it just takes longer to get it to stop bleeding. I'm glad you got a hold of your vet. I've never heard about baking soda. :bighug::bighug:
 
That's so scary! It's happened to me when I have hit Fortune's vein by mistake, but overall I find he bleeds more easily when he is warm (like laying in the sun, or in his bed by the heating vent).

That's fantastic you have a vet on call! Very jealy! And glad things resolved quickly for you both :bighug:
 
Corn starch is also good to have on hand. Sorry for the scare, I sympathize. First time I hit a vein, it looked like a CSI crime scene, particularly since Maverick decided to shake his head before I could get a handle on the blood. He was none worse for the wear.
 
We got a gusher yesterday too :( Luckily, Cosmo clots pretty fast. That must have been scary for you :bighug:
 
Wow. That does sound like a lot of blood (two paper towels). Thanks for sharing the baking powder tip. I have a Styptic Pencil like men used to use when they cut themselves shaving. Wet the pencil and dab it on. I accidentally cut the nail too short on one of my squirmy cats one time and it bled and bled, but that pencil made it stop. However, I like the baking powder idea because it's such a safe ingredient. You are very fortunate to have a vet on call! One of our local vets down here has a one man (and his wife does all the admin stuff) practice and he actually answers his own phone, even on Sundays! He's old school! It's really nice because I have been able to reach him when I have had some problems with tiny little foster kittens. I take some of my kitties there when I can't get in at my regular vet. They're closer to home and always manage to work me in. I hope Phoenix is happy now and will have a good evening!
 
Thank you all for responding. Yes, I think I am lucky to have a vet clinic with one of the vets on call all the time. The baking powder worked great and stopped the bleeding in less than a minute. Me? I had a big glass of wine with lunch later in the day. This is what Phoenix's diabetes has done to me.
 
RachelG said:
That's so scary! It's happened to me when I have hit Fortune's vein by mistake, but overall I find he bleeds more easily when he is warm (like laying in the sun, or in his bed by the heating vent).

That's fantastic you have a vet on call! Very jealy! And glad things resolved quickly for you both :bighug:
Click to expand...
Yes, I do like that I can get hold of one of the vets round the clock. Even though my vet was not the one on call this weekend, all the vets at the clinic have access to Phoenix's records immediately online. This is a huge plus in an emergency. The vet immediately asked me what Phoenix's BG was when I told him about the ear prick.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top