Best lancet to use?

[yukon25]

I'm using the lancet device that comes with the AlphaTrak and honestly, it sucks. The thick plastic cover is distorting my view and I can't tell where I'm sticking my cat. At this rate I'm going to use up all the lancets on Day One. Is there an easier to use lancet brand, preferably one more like humans use for INR or cholesterol testing? You know, just the lancet no fancy holders? Or is that not recommended for cats?

 

[Callie & Patches]

Many of us here just toss the hder and hold the lancet in our fingers. It gives us better accuracy and there is no clicking sount to startle the kitty.

 

[Kris & Teasel]

You can use the lancet device as a holder for the lancet insert and then freehand the ear prick. I've always used it this way. It's easy to do and with a little practice you'll get to know how much pressure to use, what spot is best, etc. Pull the ear taut over a cushion of tissue or similar on your finger, find the "sweet spot" (usually edge of ear toward the point) and apply gentle pressure downward. It's not a big issue if you happen to go through the ear. It heals quickly. You might have to "milk" the pierced spot to get a drop.

 

[yukon25]

You can use the lancet device as a holder for the lancet insert and then freehand the ear prick.

Duh. Why didn't I think of that this morning? I'm going to blame my brain fog on no tea for me before testing. Yeah, that's the reason.

I'll try that this evening. Thanks!

 

[Kris & Teasel]

You can use the lancet device as a holder for the lancet insert and then freehand the ear prick.

Duh. Why didn't I think of that this morning? I'm going to blame my brain fog on no tea for me before testing. Yeah, that's the reason.

Sometimes the obvious solution isn't so obvious when we're feeling a bit overwhelmed by feline diabetes.

 

[yukon25]

That pretty much summed up this morning. Fortunately my Hootie is the Best. Cat. Ever. and doesn't hold grudges despite my multiple failed attempts.

 

[Sandi and Toby]

You sound like you are only pricking once and then throwing it away?

I will say that even though I will *never* use a syringe twice, I will use the same Lancet multiple times in a single sitting if I don't get blood the first time. Of course I never set it down on dirty floor or anything (not that my house isn't SPOTLESS - HA!) between pricks, but I've never had to prick more than 3 times. More than that and I would probably start with a fresh one.

 

[Kris & Teasel]

You sound like you are only pricking once and then throwing it away?

I will say that even though I will *never* use a syringe twice, I will use the same Lancet multiple times in a single sitting if I don't get blood the first time. Of course I never set it down on dirty floor or anything (not that my house isn't SPOTLESS - HA!) between pricks, but I've never had to prick more than 3 times. More than that and I would probably start with a fresh one.

I also reuse lancets but never syringes. I hold the lancet device barrel between my lips (lancet facing out of course!) as I position kitty, push the strip all the way into the meter and get the ear ready to poke. The barrel goes back between my lips right away in case I need to poke again and that way it stays clean. If I was successful with first poke, I put the lancet device cover back over the needle. After I'm done testing, I clean the lancet needle with a cotton ball soaked in alcohol, recap it and it's ready to go. I can usually get 3 uses from a single lancet this way.

 

[JanetNJ]

I tossed the device. I used it the first week but I found dead it so much easier to just hold it myself.