BG testing and Syringe questions

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Mel and Joe

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We picked up a meter yesterday. I did a few tests on myself to figure out how the lancets and meter work and I've made about 5 attempts on getting a test from Joe. He's not thrilled about it but I am getting some sticks, just not getting any blood.

I'm trying to hold the lancet firmly and leave it there for a few seconds so I don't think that's the problem, I even stuck myself through his ear on one attempt. No blood from either one of us.

I'm using a warm washcloth in a zip lock bag at the moment but he doesn't tolerate me messing with him for very long. Would a rice sock warm it up more quickly? Or maybe one of those hand warmers that you can buy in an outdoors shop (liquid that heats up when you flex a disk)?

Maybe the lancets are too fine? Is there a place where you can buy them in small quantities so I could try some different sizes?

There's also the possibilty that I just don't have the technique down yet. I'm going to keep working on it with what I have just looking for suggestions.


And while I'm here. . .

We started out on Vetsulin so I was using Vetsulin syringes for awhile. When we switched to Lantus I got 30c syringes with a short needle. I have a harder time feeling when the needle is in with these syringes (he's short haired but I can't see it). With the dosage being so small (1U) I barely push the plunger so sometimes I wonder if I'm actually giving him a shot or not. I always pet him and feel for a wet spot afterwards. I know people use even smaler dosages of Lantus. I'm wondering if there's a better size syringe to use? Maybe I should get long needles? Or maybe I should stop worrying as long as I don't feel a wet spot :).
 
Hi there

Are you freehanding with the lancet? I would suggest getting a softclix lancet device instead and going that way, as many of us (not all) find it easier to let the pen do the work. And I use a sock and keep it in Squeak's ear when I poke...the handwarmers would be too warm and also expensive...

As for the short needles, I liked them but my hubby didn't as he always wondered if the insulin got in...but if you don't feel any liquid I would think you are fine. You can always buy the regular length next time...

JEn
 
I'm using the lancet device that came with the meter (ReliOn).

They make reusable hand warmers (just boil them and they go back to liquid state) but if they'd be too hot that wouldn't work anyway.
 
Ok, then a couple of options

1. ear isn't warm enough
2. you may want to try a different location - I poke the thicker edge of the ear (ie one towards the head) about half way down.
3. make sure you have a very thin sheen of vaseline on the ear to help the blood bead
4. increase the depth setting on the device
5. a thicker lancet MAYBe
 
If you are free-handing...just poke quickly and withdraw....don't hold the lancet in
there. That is like sealing the hole up and clotting occurs.

If you are using a lancet device...it just pokes VERY QUICKLY and withdraws.

I find the lancet device not hurt as much and more consistent than free-handing, once
you get the process down.

I like the ReliOn (Walmart) lancet device with their FINE (not ULTRA-FINE) lancets.
 
We did it! Thank you to everyone for the tips in this thread and the "how do you hold the ear" thread posted yesterday.

I found the rice sock is much better at holding heat
Back of the ear towards his head was easier on both Joe and I
And the fine lancet instead of ultra-fine

This initial reading was very high. I know I need to get his food switched asap but I didn't want to do it until I was able to test and we could monitor him. I don't think I'll be able to get home for a mid-day reading today, but I should be able to get a couple this evening and I'll be home most of the day tomorrow, Saturday, and Sunday. I'm sure I'll still have some failed attempts but maybe I can start trying the canned food Friday night or Saturday morning.
 
Fantastic! Welcome to the Vampire club! You will feel so much more in control now that you know what the insulin really does. You're right; it may not always work, but you have a good plan. Maybe this weekend you can get some spot checks to see what the insulin does in his body during the day.
 
Mel and Joe said:
We did it! Thank you to everyone for the tips in this thread and the "how do you hold the ear" thread posted yesterday.

I found the rice sock is much better at holding heat
Back of the ear towards his head was easier on both Joe and I
And the fine lancet instead of ultra-fine

This initial reading was very high. I know I need to get his food switched asap but I didn't want to do it until I was able to test and we could monitor him. I don't think I'll be able to get home for a mid-day reading today, but I should be able to get a couple this evening and I'll be home most of the day tomorrow, Saturday, and Sunday. I'm sure I'll still have some failed attempts but maybe I can start trying the canned food Friday night or Saturday morning.
Click to expand...

Good for you! I'm new to all of this too--only been giving insulin for 8 days and hometesting for 4, but I'm pretty sure the hometesting kept my cat from going hypo/emergency vet visit yesterday. The rice sock made it so much easier to get the ear warm enough, and I get the best blood drops when I also stroke the ear while warming it up with the sock. I also switched to a less-fine lancet. Maybe with practice we'll get better with the finer lancets?
 
I'm glad you got it! We started yesterday and it's hit and miss. Sometimes I'm trying to coax the blood out and then this morning I poked him and he was bleeding a lot! It's getting easier and thankfully he doesn't seem to mind too much. He's starting to catch on though, lol. I need to get some treats for him. We have the ReliOn too and have the lancet on the highest setting. I can't seem to get anything if I use anything less. We bought the extra fine for when we run out of the ones in the kit, maybe that was a bad idea?
 
My Testing Tips

My Testing Tips

1. Pet your kitty and massage the ear while you are petting him or use a rice sock to warm his ears.

2. Find a place with good light to do the testing. I used a section of my kitchen counter because it's a good height and has under cabinet lights. Put a towel down on the counter. Some people get the cat in between their legs while kneeling on the floor. Others use a couch or chair and put the cat between them and the arm. Others test in their lap. I sometimes tested Maggie in her bed.

3. Set out everything you need before getting your cat. I put the tesing strip part way into the meter, cock the pen.

4. Put a very thin smear of vaseline on the ear to help the blood bead up and not flow into the hair. I would talk to her and tell her she's being a very good girl.

5. Put something firm behind the ear - I used a waded up paper towel. It gives a firm base to work on, and keeps you from getting poked. It's handy to put light pressure on the spot after it bleeds. A little pressure will stop the bleeding and reduced bruising.

6. Most lancet pens have adjustment for depth. I started with it almost at the deepest. I worked down to the next to the smallest. Some people don't use the pen, they use the lancet free-hand.

7. Hold the ear firmly or you'll get the dreaded "ear flick" that send little spots of blood all over!

8. Some people use their fingernail to "scoop" up the blood drop, and test from the nail.

9. Don't forget the treats!


It takes time to get the technique down that will work the best for you. And If you're tense, your cat will be tense. So breathe and try to relax. Don't give up. After a while it will become second nature. And Maggie would actually purr during her test, so I know it didn't hurt her. The thing she disliked the most seemed to be holding the glucometer up to her ear - I think it tickled.
 
Mel and Joe said:
We did it! Thank you to everyone for the tips in this thread and the "how do you hold the ear" thread posted yesterday.

I found the rice sock is much better at holding heat
Back of the ear towards his head was easier on both Joe and I
And the fine lancet instead of ultra-fine

This initial reading was very high. I know I need to get his food switched asap but I didn't want to do it until I was able to test and we could monitor him. I don't think I'll be able to get home for a mid-day reading today, but I should be able to get a couple this evening and I'll be home most of the day tomorrow, Saturday, and Sunday. I'm sure I'll still have some failed attempts but maybe I can start trying the canned food Friday night or Saturday morning.
Click to expand...


It is so gratifying for all of us to know that we were able to help you and your kitty
with our advice. That's why we're here.

Bless you for being persistent.
 
Re: My Testing Tips

Maggies Mom Debby said:
8. Some people use their fingernail to "scoop" up the blood drop, and test from the nail.
Click to expand...

Ok, that's just brilliant. I don't know why I had it in my head that the blood has to stay on the ear while I test it.. my cat hates her ears being touched, she would love if I didn't hold her ear while I grabbed the meter and tested.. new experiment tonight!
 
Be sure you wash your hands with soap and lots of water (then dry thoroughly) before you do the fingernail-scoop trick. It's amazing how much a little bit of something on your fingernail can alter the reading. If your fingernail is squeaky-clean and dry, then you'll get a true reading.
 
Jean and Megan said:
Be sure you wash your hands with soap and lots of water (then dry thoroughly) before you do the fingernail-scoop trick. It's amazing how much a little bit of something on your fingernail can alter the reading. If your fingernail is squeaky-clean and dry, then you'll get a true reading.
Click to expand...

I actually was concerned about something contaminating it.. but this idea led me to taking a straw, cutting it in quarters (so I can get 4 uses out of 1 straw) and cutting a little spoon in the end (like a slurpee straw).. it worked AMAZING.. and is disposable :).. that was just dreamy!
 
and to be honest, it's nice to see reminders on the tips and tricks for this disease so making a journal/logbook/binder/whatever to keep useful info in is a good idea.

even last night, after 3 1/2 years of treating Mousie, i had to do the fingernail trick. for whatever reason my meter was acting up and wouldn't even turn on for more than a 1/10000th of a second it seemed and i tried several times and Mousie was starting to get antsy on me so i scooped onto my nail and let her go, went in the kitchen, grabbed my backup meter and a strip and took the sample off my thumb
 
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