48 hours after first ear prick and can't get a sample and she hisses/fights me

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StarburstMom

StarburstMom

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I don't know if I can do this. After reading everything here I know that I'm supposed to get a reading before her shot but no matter how much I tried tonight I couldn't get blood. I've seen the videos and read the instructions yet I accidentally pierced her hard late morning today, she bled a bit. Now she isn't trusting me, slinks away and hisses/shakes her head. Yet I still tried 4 times to get a sample tonight and it wasn't enough sample...she's too quick. I went ahead and gave her her insulin (she hasn't gone under high 400s yet) and will keep an eye on her. I feel like I can't do this now yet felt confident I could yesterday. Am I alone in feeling this way/struggling with the lancets?
 
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
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6. As the ears get used to bleeding and grow more capillaries , 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
I find it better to see where I'm aiming
 
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For today when you put 1.2 in the units cell do you mean 1.5 units (one snd a half)
I don't think you are the only one that has struggled with testing
Are you using 26 or 28 gauge lancets?
If you look at the lancet there is one side that curves up, that the side you want to poke with. Do you give her a treat afterwards, even if you can't get blood
If you get any blood you can put it on your finger nail if she's too fast and take it from your clean nail.

Warm the ear ,read what I posted above.
Just keep trying, put her in the same spot all the time when testing.
Reward her with a treat.
Please don't forget to fill in how many units you gave tonight on your spreadsheet
Hopefully some other members might have some other ideas
 
Diane Tyler's Mom said:
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/struggling-with-bg-home-testing.248348/#post-2801214

Read this link above , I found this and it may be helpful
Scroll down a little after tapping the link and read what Elizabeth and Bertie wrote
Click to expand...

Thanks, this helps. I haven't even got to which treats are ok for a ckd/fd cat yet (just went to petco to get different food as I am trying to find low phosphorus low carb that she likes). 28 gauge. I was using a contraption but it seems like it misses a lot.
I did mean to fill in 1.2, it is just a sliver over 1 in the syringe, probably a touch under 1.25. Since I'm messing with her diet and scared testing her I am nervous doing too much. I have noticed that she acts like she spikes more and tests "Hi" when having Purina DM (what the vet ordered at 6% carbs vs fancy feast that I was giving her at 1-3%) so I gave her tikicat today (0 carbs) but I'd rather have her in the low single digits in carbs.
She does have a vet appointment Saturday
 
Are you using the lancet device for testing, is that what you mean
I never used it, I just hold the lancet in my hand and poke in the sweet spot
You can see better where you are poking
Hold the cotton round underneath the ear , after that fold it over the ear to stop the bleeding 15-20 seconds.
Would you like me to tag a few Prozinc users to take a look at your spreadsheet, those numbers are high, they probably could give you some advice

I know you don't want to hear this but as soon as you start having success with testing you should get some more test in to see how she's doing with that dose.
Are you using syringes with half unit markings, we adjust insulin by 025 units
I would stay with the Weruva foods
 
Found this when I did a search in the search box
Posted by one of our members
For kitties with kidney problems



. First number is carb percentage, second is mgs of phosphorus/100 cals, all less than 10% carb and less than 250 mg phos:

Weruva Truluxe Steak Frites can 6% 118
Weruva Cats in the Kitchen La Isla Bonita can 3% 166
Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Pates Meowiss Bueller pouch 7% 174
Weruva Truluxe Glam 'N Punk can 0.6% 180
Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Fowl Ball can 4% 180
Weruva Classic Pates Jeopurrdy Licious pouch 4% 187
Weruva Classic Pates Family Food pouch 0% 191
Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Pates Cattyshack pouch 9% 211
BFF PLAY Tuna & Salmon Shhh... pouch 3% 223
BFF PLAY Tuna & Turkey Totes! pouch 2% 226
BFF PLAY Tuna & Chicken Chill Out pouch 2% 226
Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Pates Cat to the Future pouch 8% 235
Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Pates The Breakfast Cat pouch 9.7% 235
Weruva Classic Pates Meal of Fortune pouch 8% 236
Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Lamburgini can 8% 236
Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Double Dip can 8% 248
 
I'm glad you are using the relion meter now, what does the vet want curves done with the pet meter?
I see you wrote relion in the remarks column
Can you maybe make a line above that on your SS and put Using Relion Now
Or just type in in the blank cells for 7-10
Also members look at your signature first, if you can put using Relion now
If your vet insists when you do a curve to send her in your signature you can put pet meter for curves only
 
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@JanetNJ
Hi Janet I am trying to help Meagan out
She was asking about treats
Her cat also has CKD are freeze dried treats ok to give, are the low in phosphorus?
Also can you take a look OK at her SS, She's having trouble testing
Those numbers look really high
Thank you Janet
She just joined on Sunday
 
Diane Tyler's Mom said:
I'm glad you are using the relion meter now, what does the vet want curves done with the pet meter?
I see you wrote relion in the remarks column
Can you maybe make a line above that on your SS and put Using Relion Now
Or just type in in the blank cells for 7-10
Also members look at your signature first, if you can put using Relion now
If your vet insists when you do a curve to send her in your signature you can put pet meter for curves only
Click to expand...
Thanks for your help on this. Here's a photo of what I mean by 1.2 unit (I have a background in lab work so I know the importance of consistency and precision) https://linksharing.samsungcloud.com/oZoaZxsFx3fN
She hasn't been seen by our normal vet yet, just the ER vet who DX her July 6th. The soonest I can get her in is Saturday. She hasn't had a urinalysis yet either and although her urine looks clear I need that done before I change much I think. I did the glucose curve on my own Sunday to see if insulin is helping. I don't want to do another curve until after the vet sees her (I did share the info with him, hoping he can squeeze us in early but this is the only week he works this month, so he's likely swamped). Although her numbers are high I am seeing an improvement in her behaviors. I just gave her weruva fowl ball this morning and it seems she likes it.
 
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Hey there!

Good for you for testing at home! I know it's stressful on both you and the cat. It CAN get better.

I'm not at all qualified to assess your cat's risk of getting insulin without testing for a little while, but you could try a clicker training approach to getting them used to the process. It might take a little while without getting a reading, but it would be less stressful for you both. When I was training my cat to test, any time she let me pet her ears for an extended period of time, she got a treat. I clicked the lancing device next to her ears just to get her used to the sound, she got a a treat (it's been fine for us, but took some time to hit the sweet spot). I lanced her ears, she got a treat even if I didn't get a blood drop. If she would sit for another attempt or two, I would try and she would get a treat. Now for the most part, she sits in my lap quietly while I prick her ears (usually first 1 or 2 tries) and looks forward to the treat.

Mine didn't care for the freeze dried treats, so we use my civvie's Epigen 90 low carb dry food for Chloe's treats.
 
StarburstMom said:
Thanks for your help on this. Here's a photo of what I mean by 1.2 unit (I have a background in lab work so I know the importance of consistency and precision) https://linksharing.samsungcloud.com/oZoaZxsFx3fN
She hasn't been seen by our normal vet yet, just the ER vet who DX her July 6th. The soonest I can get her in is Saturday. She hasn't had a urinalysis yet either and although her urine looks clear I need that done before I change much I think. I did the glucose curve on my own Sunday to see if insulin is helping. I don't want to do another curve until after the vet sees her (I did share the info with him, hoping he can squeeze us in early but this is the only week he works this month, so he's likely swamped). Although her numbers are high I am seeing an improvement in her behaviors. I just gave her weruva fowl ball this morning and it seems she likes it.
Click to expand...
Yes that pic looks about right. If you mean 1-1/4 you would put 1.25 units
 
@JanetNJ
Hi Janet I am trying to help Meagan out
She was asking about treats
Her cat also has CKD are freeze dried treats ok to give, are the low in phosphorus?
Also can you take a look OK at her SS, She's having trouble testing
Those numbers look really high
Thank you Janet
She just joined on Sunday
 
@JanetNJ are the purebites treats OK to give her kitty who has stage 2 CKD
Trying to help her out or do you know of any other ones
https://www.chewy.com/purebites-chicken-breast-freeze-dried/dp/35895
PureBites does not add anything to their treats. The phosphorus present in our chicken breast is the natural level present in the meat. These chicken breast treats contain an estimated 0.8% phosphorus on a dry matter basis, based on estimates of raw chicken breast provided by the USDA.
 
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Diane Tyler's Mom said:
@JanetNJ are the purebites treats OK to give her kitty who has stage 2 CKD
Trying to help her out or do you know of any other ones
https://www.chewy.com/purebites-chicken-breast-freeze-dried/dp/35895
PureBites does not add anything to their treats. The phosphorus present in our chicken breast is the natural level present in the meat. These chicken breast treats contain an estimated 0.8% phosphorus on a dry matter basis, based on estimates of raw chicken breast provided by the USDA.
Click to expand...
Thank you for all your help! I have these on order. I'm still stabbing her about 4 times before I get a good prick and she's still mad at me about it but she is done being pricked for the day.
 
StarburstMom said:
Thank you for all your help! I have these on order. I'm still stabbing her about 4 times before I get a good prick and she's still mad at me about it but she is done being pricked for the day.
Click to expand...
I'm glad you otdered these, if Starburst likes them ,members then order the same Ines for dogs, you will get more for your money, you just have to break them up into smaller pieces

Just keep at it, sooner or later more capillaries will grow and you won't have to poke
4 times
 
Diane Tyler's Mom said:
@JanetNJ are the purebites treats OK to give her kitty who has stage 2 CKD
Trying to help her out or do you know of any other ones
https://www.chewy.com/purebites-chicken-breast-freeze-dried/dp/35895
PureBites does not add anything to their treats. The phosphorus present in our chicken breast is the natural level present in the meat. These chicken breast treats contain an estimated 0.8% phosphorus on a dry matter basis, based on estimates of raw chicken breast provided by the USDA.
Click to expand...
Yes. My CC loved them.
 
I stumbled upon this thread. I felt like I would never be able to do the testing thing. Failed at it miserably for weeks.
Here is my routine that finally worked. I hope it is alright to post it in the hopes it helps the OP but I might get corrected for it because I am, by no means, an expert. Just a newbie that struggles.
The rice sock changed everything for me. I used a baby sock, filled it with rice and tied it in a knot at top. 30 seconds in the micro makes it perfect temp. baby sock makes it small and compact.
I started to get my guy Joe interested in coming onto the table (testing site) by having a small dish (like a ramen dish) with a couple of bites of tuna, a couple bites of chicken (fresh). I had a small plate ready to cover the ramen dish at will so I could cut him off after a bite or two.
I would have a clean lancet, the meter with strip ready to be pushed in, my glasses and the rice sock, warmed all ready at the testing site (Site has a chair next to it for him to jump onto table, table has an old rug on it.
Initially, I would have to put him on the table but as soon as he saw what he was given on the table he was interested. I would let him have access to the bowl while I learned to prick. I pricked a couple of times for good measure. I knew it was not a good reading if he ate too much but I was learning how to do it so I did it this way and sort of discounted the readings while learning. Maybe two full days
Little by little I taught that the sock to ear was the first thing we do before the ramen dish is uncovered. Heat ear for 15 seconds, telling him what a good boy he is, etc. When I feel his ear is heated a bit, I uncover the ramen dish for one bite and immediately put the sock behind the ear and hold and prick, using the sock instead of a cotton pad to bear down on. Cover the ramen dish, squeeze the droplet and capture blood. Once I have captured blood onto the meter, I uncover ramen dish and let him finish his 3-4 bites.
This routine works for me and now as soon as Joe see's me getting this together he jumps to the table and almost seems like he holds his ear to me. He knows, I hold sock to his ear and he gets a bit of something yummy. He stays and endures it all and he gets 3-4 more bites of something yummy.
You have to work fast, have everything ready and just keep trying.
I hope this helps.
@JanetNJ is/was my angel all through learning this
 
My guy Joe has both diabetes, diagnosed around the end of May, and stage 2 CKD diagnosed just last week. I have ordered a massive amount of the Weruva's from Chewy. I also ordered the Minnow freeze-dried treats.
28 gauge lancets and a Reli-On meter from Walmart made it much easier
 
JanetNJ said:
You are using 28 gauge lancets?
Click to expand...
The website says 21g, they came with the pet glucose monitor. I do have 28 gauge ones coming in by tonight, as well as her pet treats. Maybe the 21 are too big and that's why this is so difficult? She did little vocalizations (like a little whimper) when I tented her scruff for her injection though too, so I think she's getting sensitive to all this. Originally she didn't react at all to the injection, now when I get the syringe in she is trying to get away.
 
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The larger gauge will make all the difference. I used needles as that’s what my vet liked. Worked really well.
 
StarburstMom said:
The website says 21g, they came with the pet glucose monitor. I do have 28 gauge ones coming in by tonight, as well as her pet treats. Maybe the 21 are too big and that's why this is so difficult? She did little vocalizations (like a little whimper) when I tented her scruff for her injection though too, so I think she's getting sensitive to all this. Originally she didn't react at all to the injection, now when I get the syringe in she is trying to get away.
Click to expand...
Are you sure they aren't 31 gauge?

These are my go to ones TruePlus Sterile Lancets, 28 Guage, 3 Boxes of 100 (300 Total) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E4MOK5Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_CC6TW412CX404F51KGSE
 
StarburstMom said:
The website says 21g, they came with the pet glucose monitor. I do have 28 gauge ones coming in by tonight, as well as her pet treats. Maybe the 21 are too big and that's why this is so difficult? She did little vocalizations (like a little whimper) when I tented her scruff for her injection though too, so I think she's getting sensitive to all this. Originally she didn't react at all to the injection, now when I get the syringe in she is trying to get away.
Click to expand...
These are a slightly thinner gauge syringe for the injection since they are bothering her. Your pet will love this PetTest U-40 Syringes, 31 Gauge x 5/16-in, 0.3-cc, 100 syringes:
https://app.chewy.com/ppl22XvmThb
 
You may have already heard this, but it's worth repeating. When I first started testing Jack, it was a struggle to get enough blood and then to actually get the blood to the strip on the meter before he shook his head. I learned to scoop the blood onto my thumb nail and then let the strip "drink" the blood from my nail. That was a big game changer for me. Today, his ears bleed so easy, but I still sometimes find it easier to scope it onto my nail and take it from there.
 
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