Blood droplet resources

Status
Not open for further replies.
Tom & Monty

Tom & Monty

Member Since 2020
Hi there. I'm testing Monty more these days and I was wondering if people have favourite videos or other guides for getting a blood droplet.

I don't have a good history with testing Monty, he hates it. He's very compliant initially but he gets restless quickly so I want to get to a place where I can test without assistance within minutes.

Currently we burrito Monty and prick a paw pad with the AlphaTrak 2 Lancet pen set to 4 or 5. Frustratingly he doesn't always bleed. Sometimes I need to prick 5 or 6 times before enough blood forms for a test by which time he's really upset.

Most guides I'm finding gloss over this and they are just "prick and take blood", I seem to be doing something wrong. Next time I want to try with the Lancet cap off, freehand poking at an angle into the ear vein using my phone torch to find it.

I even ended up skipping his shoot tonight because after 10 pricks I failed too many times and he was real mad. I did learn today he's happy to tolerate more attempts if he gets pieces of chicken with each prick!

Is getting blood on the first prick most of the time even realistic, how successful are you all?
 
As you test the ears they will grow more cappilaries and testing will become easier
Aim for the sweet spot , You might want to purchase 28 gauge lancets and do it free hand on a 45 degree angle, eventually more capillaries will grow and it becomes easier
Start to rub his ears to get him used to it, warm them up first, if need be put some rice in a sock and warm it in the microwave and put it on his ears, make sure its not to hot. You don't want to aim for the vein, if it happens it will bleed more, hold a cotton round on it for a few seconds to stop the bleeding, press lightly. Good luck . I don't always get blood on the first try

Earprick.jpg
Diabetic Cat Care Home Testing Your Cat’s BG


4395c545-36bf-4aba-bec7-4392fcdb191c-jpeg.48119
 
Diane Tyler's Mom said:
As you test the ears they will grow more cappilaries and testing will become easier
Aim for the sweet spot , You might want to purchase 28 gauge lancets and do it free hand on a 45 degree angle, eventually more capillaries will grow and it becomes easier
Start to rub his ears to get him used to it, warm them up first, if need be put some rice in a sock and warm it in the microwave and put it on his ears, make sure its not to hot. You don't want to aim for the vein, if it happens it will bleed more, hold a cotton round on it for a few seconds to stop the bleeding, press lightly. Good luck . I don't always get blood on the first try

Earprick.jpg
Diabetic Cat Care Home Testing Your Cat’s BG


4395c545-36bf-4aba-bec7-4392fcdb191c-jpeg.48119
Click to expand...
I agree or even 26 gauge at first!
 
Did you try the ears and then change to the pad?
I have never tried the pad so can’t really comment on those except to say maybe massage them first and maybe warm them with a rice sock.

Once I got the gist of it I had no trouble getting blood from the ears first time. After a few weeks the ears make tiny capillaries and it is easier to get the blood.
Do you have a specific spot to test and use it every time?
Do you always give a treat every time, even when you are unsuccessful?
Did you warm the ears first and massage them to get blood into them?
Are you using a 26 or 28 gauge lancet?
 
Thanks everyone. I read through the material here and changed my technique and got success on the second attempt this time.

I fed him some chicken whilst blowing over his ear to warm it. Then I made sure to push the cotton pad directly over the needle with my finger and I suspected before I was "pushing" his ear rather than stabbing it. I also applied vaseline to the sweet spot beforehand. Got two excellent droplets, the first one I accidentally wiped onto my finger because I got too excited :D.
 
bcat said:
Thanks everyone. I read through the material here and changed my technique and got success on the second attempt this time.

I fed him some chicken whilst blowing over his ear to warm it. Then I made sure to push the cotton pad directly over the needle with my finger and I suspected before I was "pushing" his ear rather than stabbing it. I also applied vaseline to the sweet spot beforehand. Got two excellent droplets, the first one I accidentally wiped onto my finger because I got too excited :D.
Click to expand...
Ahhh we need a dancing emoji! GOOD JOB! :cool:;):D
 
bcat said:
Thanks everyone. I read through the material here and changed my technique and got success on the second attempt this time.

I fed him some chicken whilst blowing over his ear to warm it. Then I made sure to push the cotton pad directly over the needle with my finger and I suspected before I was "pushing" his ear rather than stabbing it. I also applied vaseline to the sweet spot beforehand. Got two excellent droplets, the first one I accidentally wiped onto my finger because I got too excited :D.
Click to expand...
That’s great, happy to hear it! YAY!!!

instead of blowing his ear, have you tried using the sock filled with rice and nuking it. I nuke it for 30 seconds and it warms Minnie’s ear very quickly in a few seconds :bighug:
 
jt and trouble (GA) said:
Ahhh we need a dancing emoji! GOOD JOB! :cool:;):D
Click to expand...

I still have problem with this but like Ale said, a rice sock (i warm mine 22 sec in the microwave but sometimes let it cool off because its too hot- test it on your own ears). Hold a folded round cotton pad on the other side (inside if you are poking outside like i do) to have a resistance when you poke and it also help to not poke your own finger if by accident the lancet go tru the ear. Try massaging her ear going down and up to the tip with the sock...that way, if your sock is too hot, you won't leave it too long at the same area and the movement will also help.
 
Lalkabee said:
I still have problem with this but like Ale said, a rice sock (i warm mine 22 sec in the microwave but sometimes let it cool off because its too hot- test it on your own ears). Hold a folded round cotton pad on the other side (inside if you are poking outside like i do) to have a resistance when you poke and it also help to not poke your own finger if by accident the lancet go tru the ear. Try massaging her ear going down and up to the tip with the sock...that way, if your sock is too hot, you won't leave it too long at the same area and the movement will also help.
Click to expand...

I’m afraid Minnie’s ear is desensitized to the heat by now LOL.
 
Last edited:
Chris & China (GA) said:
Most of us suggest testing it on your wrist like a baby bottle...I think it's easier than your own ear. I can see it now....rice sock on ear....doorbell rings....funny looks from people selling vacuum cleaners because I'm standing there with a rice sock on my ear....LOL
Click to expand...

Whatever part of your body is sensible to temperature really. Seems ok for my wrist sometimes and very hot on my ear.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top