Brand new meter and lancets..need a lesson

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123joan

123joan

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I just bought a Reli On Micro glucose meter, and lancets. The lancets don't look anything like the what the vet used yesterday when she obtained a sample from our Lucy. The vet suggested I buy an AlphaTrak but (thank you everyone from the bottom of my checkbook) shopped at WalMart instead. The kit came with a ultra-thin lancets, and I bought a box of thin lancets.

There must be a video somewhere showing how to use the lancet. Point me there! I'm mustering the courage to try to test this afternoon.
 
how to load it into the device or how to use the device on kitty's ear?

i have a couple videos i'll find for you that might help, brb
 
I don't think I'm going to use the device. That's funny..."the diabetic one isn't as cooperative". I hope Lucy cooperates. I want to watch the videos first.
 
I love the device! I think I would be too scared to do the pokey poke without it! nailbite_smile ....Good luck with Lucy!
 
I use the device, too--I can't do it freehand! I like the relion device a lot.

I did find it much harder to use the thin lancets though. I would recommend picking up something 26-28g--you would think the thin ones would make the cat more cooperative, but it does the opposite. It makes it harder to get blood, and that's very important. My cat can't tell the difference between being poked with a 26g vs a 30g--he just wants me to get the test done as quickly as possible because he wants to eat/get a treat.
 
Oh dear, back to the store! At least the lancets are inexpensive. Thank you for the tip (no pun intended). I can't feel the needle sticking out of the end of the lancet device as in Cindy + Mousie's video, where she's rubbing her finger across the tip.
 
Vets usually use a 25ga needle...the kind you put on the end of a syringe.

The lancets with the lancet device ( "clicker") are easier to use, in my opinion.

But some use the lancet without loading it into the device.
This is one of those things you have to work out for yourself...what
works for you and your kitty.
 
I'm new too and just bought all that same stuff altho' I DID buy the ultra thin lancets just like the ones in the kit. They work wonderfully on KT. I won't do freehand either - just not comfortable for me and makes me nervous. Nervous bean = nervous kitty. Sending good thoughts your way. Don't give up if you don't get blood this time.
 
I'm about to go back to WalMart...I can't feel the needle at the end of the device. It seems to be way down there. Is that right?
 
if you put the lancet all the way down in the device, you won't feel it with your finger. my vet taught me to just put it in far enough you can feel it like i do in the video.

not all have experienced this though, depending on your device.

put it all the way in and try it, if you don't get blood, maybe pull it out a little and try it, and so forth.

it doesn't mean your device is defective
 
123joan said:
I'm about to go back to WalMart...I can't feel the needle at the end of the device. It seems to be way down there. Is that right?
Click to expand...

With the relion device, it will appear to be all the way down when it's in the "set" position--ready to push the button. When you push the button, it will pop out above the cap very fast--if you blink, you'll miss it. A good way to figure it out is to practice on yourself--I poked my finger and tested my own BG with each of my meters the day I got them. :-)


I found that what worked best for me was a 28g lancet, with the lancet depth set on the 4th or 5th level (I believe I started out on 5, and went down to 4 once I got better at getting blood).
 
I aim the center of the circle in the top of the device to where I want to poke--the very outer edge of the ear. I find it easiest to get at and see it from the inside of the ear, but I know many people here like to poke the outside. You'll want to put a cotton ball or piece of tissue or toilet paper on the other side of the ear from where you're poking--you'll need this to put pressure to stop the bleeding, and it gives you something to keep from poking yourself

Neosporin ointment + Pain relief (the ointment, not the cream!) will also help. You can rub a little on before or after the poke, and it helps a lot in the beginning before kitty gets used to the pokes.

GOOD LUCK! If you have troubles let us know--there's all sorts of little tricks that help.
 
Well I shot her twice, no blood. I must be aiming wrong. She has long fur :( but she is GORGEOUS. She is being very patient. I might have aimed too far out? How would you aim from the inside of the ear? How could you even see? Poor Lucy, I'm going to try again in a few minutes.
 
Did you use the lancet device? Some are really good (softclix lancet pen) and others aren't so...

I poke the thicker/inner edge of the ear instead of the thinner/outer edge. I put a thin sheen of vaseline on and poke about 2/3 of the way down, just a little ways in (about the distance that one letter takes up on your screen) and just use teh lancet pen so I don't have to poke on my own. I never look for a vein, I just find blood....
 
I poked her five times, no blood. I'm trying for the outer edge of the ear, there was the tiniest tiniest hint of red on my cotton ball. I'm giving up for now. I'll either try later tonite or first thing in the morning. She was very patient. I'm discouraged of course. I wish someone would come over! I ended up using the 26 gauge Thin Reli On Lancets in the pen. Right now I don't think it's the pen I think it's my aim. Now I have to take care of my human family for a little bit and get back to this project after while. Oh Dear.
 
Did you 'cock' it ? With the Reli-On you have to pull back on the plunger at the
back end and release that. Then push the button to make it do the poke.



Have you tried it on yourself ?

Can you get blood from your own finger ?
 
I freehand as I have a hard time aiming the device to just the right spot. You don't want to hit the vein, but between it and the edge of the ear. I also alternate ears and test in different place to keep one spot from getting too much of a workout. Are you warming the ear first? Put some raw rice in an old sock, microwave for 15 to 20 seconds, test it against your wrist to make sure it isn't too hot. Hold it to the ear briefly to warm it. Then place it behind the ear for support as you prick.

If you try it w/ out the device hold the lancet at a 45º angle and a light twist when removing will give a better sample. What bothers Tess most is just holding her ear, I think it tickles the hairs on the inside.

Don't get discouraged, none of us got it on the first try. It will get lots easier for both you and Lucy. :YMHUG: cat_pet_icon Oh, and be sure to give treats afterwards, even if you don't get a sample. That make it all just fine! :-D
 
this is completely normal. the ears aren't used to bleeding in the beginning so you won't get blood immediately usually. keep trying a few times a day until you get it. and reward kitty so she learns it's a good thing.

have you posted what city, state you live in yet? if not, let me know and i'll check my list and see if anyone is near
 
The lancet that came with your meter has little depth marks right above the blue 'release' button. I leave it on the deepest setting but did try others before I figured out which one was the right one for KT's ears. The lancet is spring loaded so you won't feel it sticking out the end on yours even when cocked. It only shoots thru the end when you push the blue button...try it on your finger.
 
For now you can just put it right in a post. Later when you have time go to the User Control Panel, click on the "Profile" tab, and select "edit profile". Then fill in the blanks. Edit avatar is where you can upload a picture of Lucy (which we would love to see), you must reduce the picture to 90 x 90 pixels though.
 
you can just post it here if you want. just city and state. nothing like house address or phone numbers, etc.... anyone can see this site pretty much.

or you can click "pm" just at the bottom of my post here and it will take you to an email like window wherein you can send it to me in a pm, which stands for private message here on the board. it's like the board's version of in house email i guess you can call it
 
Try sitting with her in your lap and gently massaging the ear you want to poke. Just keep rubbing it, talk to her, explain what you are going to do and why, show her the meter, let her sniff it. I don't aim, I just put the device on the edge of the ear. If the depth setting is too deep blood will do down, not pool up. A smear of vaseline on the edge will pool the blood for you also. Rubbing the ear gently will warm the ear. If you see a spot of blood show, then do a pulse push from the bottom up towards the blood. Push, let up, push again.

Bet in a week's time you'll look back and wonder what the fuss was all about because it does become second nature.
 
If you have the relion lancet (And I think you do), you want to aim so that the center of the open circle is over where you want to poke. Also, in the begnning I found that I wasn't holding it pressed down against the ear firmly enough when I pressed the button to draw blood. I still do that that on occasion!
 
I was shown by the vet tech how to "freehand", and once my first try at the vet's office was a success, I never even tried using the device. I've looked at it and thought that it would give me less a feeling that I was in "control", but since I never tried, that isn't a fair assessment.

Of course, at the vet's they handed me a 28g lancet, but when I got home all I had were 33g's, so after one frustrating day, I went to wal-mart and bought some 26's, 28's and 30's just to be safe! I settled on the 28 and when that box was gone I used up the 30s. (the 26's are now destined to be in someone's "newbie kit"). After 10 weeks of poking, I've finally re-opened the original box of 33's I bought on day one! And all of a sudden, they work just fine! I think Bob's ears have learned to bleed, just like I was told they would eventually.

Odd question, but can you hand-sew or do needlepoint? If so, you'd probably feel really comfortable using the freehand method, or at least trying it to see if you (and most importantly Lucy) like one way better than the other.

Encouraging that Lucy isn't giving you a hard time while you're learning.

Carl
 
carlinsc said:
I was shown by the vet tech how to "freehand", and once my first try at the vet's office was a success, I never even tried using the device. I've looked at it and thought that it would give me less a feeling that I was in "control", but since I never tried, that isn't a fair assessment.

Of course, at the vet's they handed me a 28g lancet, but when I got home all I had were 33g's, so after one frustrating day, I went to wal-mart and bought some 26's, 28's and 30's just to be safe! I settled on the 28 and when that box was gone I used up the 30s. (the 26's are now destined to be in someone's "newbie kit"). After 10 weeks of poking, I've finally re-opened the original box of 33's I bought on day one! And all of a sudden, they work just fine! I think Bob's ears have learned to bleed, just like I was told they would eventually.

Odd question, but can you hand-sew or do needlepoint? If so, you'd probably feel really comfortable using the freehand method, or at least trying it to see if you (and most importantly Lucy) like one way better than the other.

Encouraging that Lucy isn't giving you a hard time while you're learning.

Carl
Click to expand...
I can and do hand-sew. That's an interesting thought. I was so fixated on the lancet device yesterday. Today I'll prepare for the freehand trial. Will try to find a video.
 
If you free-hand, hold the lancet at about a 45-degree angle to the skin surface, and poke gently, as if
to start a small stitch.

Some, do two pokes, quickly, very close together.

I tried free-handing, but I found I could not get a consistent depth, sometimes poked too
deeply and slowly. I found the lancet device to be more comfortable for Smokey, but
it did take a while for me to get the technique working.
 
I freehand too , I find I can get more control. Be sure to give treats after every attempt, successful or not. The will quickly come to associate testing w/ treats.
 
Success! Used the lancet pet. I tried free hand today first, but I was way too timid and slow. I would have given up without all the support, tips, advice and encouragement. So many videos and diagrams. I've read and reread your help and tips.This afternooon's session was my third try, each session taking at least a half-hour to summon courage and calm and all the supplies. I'm so fortunate that Lucy is being so patient! Never have I been so thrilled to see a drop of blood. Her glucose level is 84 this afternoon. Can it be that switching to canned cat food and a week of insulin have made this dramatic change? I will test her again tomorrow. What a feeling of empowerment and self-reliance. Thank you Thank you Thank you!
 
awesome! FWIW, I have NEVER freehanded and just could NEVER get my head wrapped around the concept

That number is great....how many hours post shot?

Jen
 
123joan said:
Success! Used the lancet pet. I tried free hand today first, but I was way too timid and slow. I would have given up without all the support, tips, advice and encouragement. So many videos and diagrams. I've read and reread your help and tips.This afternooon's session was my third try, each session taking at least a half-hour to summon courage and calm and all the supplies. I'm so fortunate that Lucy is being so patient! Never have I been so thrilled to see a drop of blood. Her glucose level is 84 this afternoon. Can it be that switching to canned cat food and a week of insulin have made this dramatic change? I will test her again tomorrow. What a feeling of empowerment and self-reliance. Thank you Thank you Thank you!
Click to expand...


Don't know if you want to try this, but just to illustrate how "un-painful" this is to Lucy, jab yourself (freehand or w/ the device) in the side of your fingertip. It really isn't that bad, and from what I've read, your finger is much more sensitive than her ears. Use the opportunity to test your own BG, but you'll need to start a new SS for yourself. (and get your own insulin if you get a high number) ;-)

84 is just awesome! Yes, the combination of switching food and insulin can make that much of a dramatic change in a brief period. It does make you feel good when you find you can do this, doesn't it? Super news, keep us all posted.

Carl
 
Jen & Squeak said:
awesome! FWIW, I have NEVER freehanded and just could NEVER get my head wrapped around the concept

That number is great....how many hours post shot?

Jen
Click to expand...
She hasn't had insulin since Tuesday morning (2 days ago). She went in for a glucose curve and her readings were so low they stopped the insulin. She was diagnosed with diabetes just a week ago Tuesday (reading 671). I hope we didn't switch too fast, but now she is eating 95% canned (compared to 0%). She is not drinking oceans of water. I hope this continues, of course. All this has happened over the course of just ten days. I have been staying up so late reading and reading and studying (and worrying).
 
FANTASTIC NEWS! and lots of it!

you got blood!! :RAHCAT

and you got a wonderful normal number with no insulin!! :RAHCAT :RAHCAT :RAHCAT

Congratulations!
 
Plus now I don't have to wait until next vet appointment (five days from now for urinalysis) for glucose reading! I already know. I won't be wondering and worrying. Amazing. I'm so excited I'm laughing out loud! Lucy thanks the FDMB. Me too.
 
well I sure hope that you let your vet know these changes! Diabetes should not be diagnosed based on a simple blood glucose test (you may have been told this already) but rather based on a fructosamine test. Cats can exhibit marked rises in BGs due to stress..

That said, if there were symptoms of diabetes present, then it is possible that you caught it early enough that the short course of insulin + the food change was sufficient!

Jen
 
123joan said:
Jen & Squeak said:
awesome! FWIW, I have NEVER freehanded and just could NEVER get my head wrapped around the concept

That number is great....how many hours post shot?

Jen
Click to expand...
She hasn't had insulin since Tuesday morning (2 days ago). She went in for a glucose curve and her readings were so low they stopped the insulin. She was diagnosed with diabetes just a week ago Tuesday (reading 671). I hope we didn't switch too fast, but now she is eating 95% canned (compared to 0%). She is not drinking oceans of water. I hope this continues, of course. All this has happened over the course of just ten days. I have been staying up so late reading and reading and studying (and worrying).
Click to expand...

Awesome, so her +56 (or so) was an 84!
Carl
 
carlinsc said:
123joan said:
Jen & Squeak said:
awesome! FWIW, I have NEVER freehanded and just could NEVER get my head wrapped around the concept

That number is great....how many hours post shot?

Jen
Click to expand...
She hasn't had insulin since Tuesday morning (2 days ago). She went in for a glucose curve and her readings were so low they stopped the insulin. She was diagnosed with diabetes just a week ago Tuesday (reading 671). I hope we didn't switch too fast, but now she is eating 95% canned (compared to 0%). She is not drinking oceans of water. I hope this continues, of course. All this has happened over the course of just ten days. I have been staying up so late reading and reading and studying (and worrying).
Click to expand...

Awesome, so her +56 (or so) was an 84!
Carl
Click to expand...
I don't know what you mean by +56
Joan
 
Jen & Squeak said:
well I sure hope that you let your vet know these changes! Diabetes should not be diagnosed based on a simple blood glucose test (you may have been told this already) but rather based on a fructosamine test. Cats can exhibit marked rises in BGs due to stress..

That said, if there were symptoms of diabetes present, then it is possible that you caught it early enough that the short course of insulin + the food change was sufficient!

Jen
Click to expand...
She was drinking vast amounts of water. Peeing huge amounts (in litter box). Which was why I took her to the vet. Found she had urinary tract infection plus the high glucose level. And no, I do not know about the fructosamine test. This is all new to me in the past ten days. I've spent so much time reading this forum that my "regular life" has taken a back seat. I did not know about the importance of low carb canned food. Our other cat Petey is not happy about the food change at all. Lucy is accepting the canned food but Petey is taking longer to come around.
 
The first few weeks can be overwhelming so I don't blame you! The UTI may have been to blame but it does sound like she may have been 'borderline' diabetic or however you want to phrase it. Either way, I'm just glad that you are doing so well with this. Take a break and try to relax ok?

Jen
 
Joan,
Please make sure to give to give Petey some extra love. I know that my civie, Mullet, definitely lacked attention while my life was turned upside down with Bob's sugardance. He started getting reclusive and "sad" looking. Lately I've been trying to make it up to him, making sure that I always give him a special treat when Bob gets one (sometimes even when bob doesn't, but don't tell Bob!). But what he really enjoys is the extra attention I'm giving to him recently. He's happy again.

Carl
 
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