BG testing frustration

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Lacie

Lacie

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New here since 12/21/10 and Leo is responding nicely to Lantus. P/D much improved, P/U is slowly coming down, and he's getting his personality back. We're having no trouble with the shots, but the blood glucose testing is another story. I've been at it for almost a week and I still feel so clumsy. Last night it took me four tries to get a sample and he was about fed up with me. One problem is that when Leo was a street kitty, he got some frostbite in his ears, so the first 1/2" of the tips have very little circulation, and I think it's somewhat impaired in the rest. The only way I seem to be able to get enough blood is to hit the vein itself.

Here's the drill I'm using. Any suggestions would be appreciated:
1. Heat a small medicine bottle of water in microwave until comfortably warm, prepare treats, lancet pen and meter.
2. Put down treats and warm the ear by holding it around the bottle until it feels warm on the outside.
3. Pad my finger with a cotton pad and press firmly up against lancet pen from the underside of the ear.
4. Fire lancet pen at full depth (partial depth wasn't getting enough blood to test) in vein area about midway between base and tip of ear
5. Load meter and massage ear until enough blood appears, then collect sample
6. Apply pressure with cotton pad to ear until bleeding stops
7. Pet, praise, apologize, genuflect

Sounds good on paper, but about 50% of the time I'm not getting enough blood to test. Leo's an easy guy to work with, but the bean needs help.
 
It sounds like you have a good process going - especially the genuflect part :-D It might help to put a small smear of vaseline on the ear where you want to poke; it helps the blood bead up. What size lancet are you using? 25-26 can work best in the beginning until the ears "learn" to bleed.

Do you want to post your city and state? Maybe we have a member who lives near you and could come help.
 
I had NO success using a lancet and lancet device and had to get my vet to send me some 25-gauge needles (no syringe, just a box of needles). At times I STILL have trouble getting enough blood to test and Riley has gotten to the point that he avoids me/hides when it's time to test. Still, the needles work better than the lancets, so that might be something you want to ask about.
 
Your right looks great on paper, especially the geneflex part. Couple of things that I found helped with Max, was using the lancet pen without the cap. Also I go fairly low on the ear, just above that little double flap of skin towards the base of the ear. If I try to go high on the ear nearer the tip I just don't get enough blood.

If you are really concerned about the frostbite effecting the blood flow to the ears, if all else fails you can always try the big pad on the paw, the non-weight bearing one. Just make sure to clean it well before and after the stick and watch for signs of infection, since kitty feet aren't the cleanest part of the cat.

Mel, Max & The Fur Gang
 
Have you tried rubbing/massaging the ear in addition to warming? I rub Donovan's ear between my fingers before poking to get the blood moving. At the beginning I also used heat, but now I only rub. I also poke free-hand.

MJ&Donovan
 
Thanks to all who replied. I'm going to find some 26g lancets for my pen (don't feel steady enough to hand poke) and maybe try some different warming methods (rice sock or barley bag). The heat definitely helps, when I can get him to sit still for it.

He's still on a low dose (1.25u) and is hanging in the 250-350 range, so we've taken a break from testing today. Tomorrow is a new one.

MJ, I haven't seen your tuxedo cat's avatar until now. He's a cutie. Can you point me to the posts leading up to your decision to go OTJ with him? Your spreadsheet is a hoot!
 
ummm, yeah, Donovan and I had a bit of a rough time at the beginning, and my comments reflect that :oops:
Here's a link to Donovan's first day OTJ trial: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=9032
You will see by following the links to the prior posts that it was not really my decision to go for it :cool:
Let's just say a I got a few WELL, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? hints.
I think this is the first not-so-subtle mention of it: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=8703

MJ&Donovan
 
@MJ - All those .1 droplets you patiently shot for weeks really paid off. You and Donovan are my new heroes.

I applied the heated bottle to both sides of the ear and rubbed like crazy, but the first poke was dry. Did the second using my finger as a backstop, which gave me a poke too but I was rewarded with way more blood than I needed. Also Leo's first yellow PS number since we started Lantus. Things are looking up. Thanks again, everyone, for the great support.
 
Yay! for the first yellow numbers! And a successful ear pokey. :-D I think just like every cat is different every bean is different, we all have to find what works for us and our kitty. Wait until you get that first blue number. I think I checked poor Max 3 times in a row to make sure I was seeing what I was seeing...lol

Mel, Max & The Fur Gang
 
People put different things behind the ear to help prevent poking yourself. I use a rolled-up baby sock in Donovan's ear, which also helps to keep his ear upright since he's part Scottish Fold. Then after testing, I fold the sock over and apply pressure to the pokey spot. Others use cotton balls/squares, makeup sponges, etc., or perhaps something firmer if they're using the lancet device. It's just a matter of finding what works best for you and your cat.

MJ&Donovan
 
A firm backing seems to work better for me than a spongy one, so I'll try the paper towel. Cotton pad was too soft, and bare fingers were taking a beating. This has been a learning experience, but Leo's a patient guy. Only seven days and he's already regaining some of the weight he lost. Osky the kitten doesn't try to beat him up anymore, either. Life's good around here.
 
MommaOfMuse said:
If you are really concerned about the frostbite effecting the blood flow to the ears, if all else fails you can always try the big pad on the paw, the non-weight bearing one. Just make sure to clean it well before and after the stick and watch for signs of infection, since kitty feet aren't the cleanest part of the cat.
Click to expand...

This works best for Cattro as her ears don't seem to heal up well at all, she is very good about me poking her hind paws, not her front though. touch wood never gad any probs with infection etc. trial and error, time and patience..good luck.Kay
 
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