Yes, the Prozinc MPM method does use a BG of <50 mg/dL for a dose reduction. But you don't have to follow that exact BG number if you can't test as much. You could make that dose reduction point at 60 if you wanted to. Or even 70. Sometimes, it takes a while to get all the way down to <50 mg/dL to "earn" those dose reductions.
Remember, the guidelines are just that. Guidelines. So you can make adjustments that make more sense to you and your situation.
It usually takes more than a few seconds to stop the blood flowing. If you hit a vein, you'd know it, because the blood would well up much faster than if you only poked in the "sweet spot".
Try a bit of ice on the ear, after you poke. Just like preventing swelling and bruising on us humans, ice can help minimize bruising with our cats also.
Alternate ears.
Choose a slightly different spot on the ear for your pokes. You can poke the lancet just about anywhere outside that marginal ear vein. See the previous post, #21, for the diagram of the "sweet spot".
Remember to angle the lancet if freehanding. The lancet is beveled, so you want the bevel pointing up when you freehand.
Lancing device gets used flat against the ear, and also needs something firmer to poke against.
If using the lancing device, try adjusting the depth, so the lancet doesn't poke as deep.
Try smaller gauge lancets, 30 or 31 gauge if you are finding it easier to get blood from Little Bit now. You might not need the larger poking size of the 26-28 gauge lancets.
Change out your lancets at least once a day. They do get dull and hurt more.
