Can Lancets be reused?

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Liz&Gus

Member Since 2013
Quick Question:

I use a lancet pen. Do I need to change the lancet every test or is it okay to use the same lancet all day? How long are lancets used for before needing to be changed?

Thanks!

Liz
 
Something tells me you should change it after each use to avoid infection unless you can sterilize it each time. I never used a pen, just free handed the prick on the ear and used a new lancet each time.
 
The right answer is to use a new one each time. Each poke tears the sharp tip making it duller. Now that being said...I use one all day long unless KT is diving then I use a couple of them. Each boy has their own pen so they never share. If I happen to hit the lancet tip while putting the cap back on, I replace that lancet immediately. I keep everything associated with testing and shooting very clean including washing my hands well before beginning...I really haven't had an issue.

HUGS!
 
I've reused lancets in my lancet pen since the beginning. I never even thought about not reusing them because I was just doing what all my diabetic relatives did: they all reuse them because they claim that it helps "wear in" the lancet and makes poking easier and less painful and I just switch them out when it starts becoming dull (i.e. it takes more than a poke or two to get blood). I eventually did a bit more research and it seems to be quite a common practice. If I get a weird test number, I always retest anyway, so cross-contamination from a previous poke isn't too much of an issue.

Syringes, on the other hand, quickly degrade so you don't want to reuse them as they become painful very quickly. And since you're not trying to draw blood (unlike with a lancet), this means it's not as "sterile" as a reused lancet.
 
You can always dip the lancet tip in a bit of isopropyl alcohol for 30 seconds to a minute or so. I did that sometimes, if I was running low on lancets.

I reuse the lancets for about 6-8 pokes, then toss them.
 
My vet uses a 22 gauge needle instead of lancets. I think it works really well now that I tried to use the lancet at home and didn't get enough blood. Just like when giving sub-q fluids, I would never reuse a lancet other than perhaps if you need to poke more than once because you don't draw blood. They would get dull just like a needle I would think.
 
Only change mine daily and each cat has their own lancing device. Now for some reason if I need to use the same device on both cats I change per cat.

Mel and The Fur Gang
 
Unless you are doing serial pokes at the same testing time, or are disinfecting them between uses, I would not re-use a lancet.

Why? With hyperglycemia, it is easier to develop infection and using a non-sterile lancet which has been sitting for up to 12 hours seems like an invitation for that to happen.
 
Thanks!

I think I'll use them for a day and then toss them each evening.

A second question: Paw testing seems to be easier with my ear-shy cat. However, his paws have to be dirtier than his ears, given the litterbox, walking around, etc. Is there anything special I should do with paw testing to reduce infection risk?

Liz
 
Lancets are the cheapest things you will ever buy. It is recommended to change after each test (of course if you are poking several times during one test - you can use the same lancet).

Not only is there a sterile issue, but the lancet will dull after each poke and become quite uncomfortable.
 
I agree with Hillary. Lancets are inexpensive. I use a new one for each test. If the lancet should fall from my hand before the test and the sharp point touch a surface such as the couch, the carpet, or my finger, I always get out a new lancet for that test.
I buy Lancets in bulk from EBay, and you can also get them from the ADW link on this site (I can't find it now, but it used to be here on this site). If your are thinking about testing the paws, I would definitely use a new lancet for every test.
 
I never even considered using a lancet more than once (with the exception of multiple pokes for one test). 200 of them costs me like $4 at Walmart. I've made it through, I think, 4 bottle of test strips and still have about 1/4 of the lancets left. Just thinking sterilization-wise... I use one per test. If the point touches anything I get a new one out. If I were to use one all day, I'd sterilize it between uses, just to be safe. At the super low cost of lancets, I'm not willing to risk getting his ear infected by poking with a dirty lancet.

I also wondered about using the paw... but just the fact that they use the litter box (plus just walking around) makes me think there's a far greater chance of infection. JMHO, I wouldn't want to stick my hand, with fresh poke holes in it, into their litterbox - no matter HOW frequently it's cleaned.
 
Hi,
I would not reuse a lancet: just thinking of poking a vein (possible blood infection in the kitty) or accidentally poking myself (have done so nailbite_smile ) stops me from doing so. Not worth taking such risk & worry!
Best wishes,
Sophie
 
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