Can NOT get blood

[Bruce Blount]

I keep trying, this time I was able to get a good drop of blood, but right when I got the meter, he shook his head, the drop spread out, and I got an error message that I did not have enough blood. I will try again tomorrow

 

[CORKY]

I keep trying, this time I was able to get a good drop of blood, but right when I got the meter, he shook his head, the drop spread out, and I got an error message that I did not have enough blood. I will try again tomorrow

Gently hold the head between the ears, have all the necessary items in front of you, with the strip in the monitor, pinch while still holding the head, let go once you let the blood on the strip or you can place it on the tip of your finger and then transfer it to the strip, give a small snack afterwards to reward

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

You could try putting the drop of blood on a clean fingernail first instead of the strip. I know it’s frustrating but don’t give up.
Are you letting Wicked eat something while you test?

 

[SmallestSparrow]

One tip I read somewhere for when only a small drop slowly forms, is when you prick do two quickly right next to each other so between them you have an increased chance.

methos hate his ears being touched—long before testing, he just doesn’t like it. I get everything ready and at the last minute hold his ear to prick, then keep him still sometimes by holding onto ear until I have the meter there, or sometimes I will let go of ear and rotate hand a little so my hand is cupping his head with my thumb near the base of his ear…but he can flick it if he puts his mind to it. Sometimes me holding onto his ear makes him really want to flick (I think to get rid of my hand).

you will find your own secret method—congrats on getting blood even if he scattered it

 

[Bruce Blount]

Got blood this morning, not at dinner time. Keep getting an error - that insufficient amount of blood. He keeps shaking his head. He wants to be good, and hopefully soon he will - just not now...

Gently hold the head between the ears, have all the necessary items in front of you, with the strip in the monitor, pinch while still holding the head, let go once you let the blood on the strip or you can place it on the tip of your finger and then transfer it to the strip, give a small snack afterwards to reward

How can I hold his head and his ear with one hand?

 

[CORKY]

Got blood this morning, not at dinner time. Keep getting an error - that insufficient amount of blood. He keeps shaking his head. He wants to be good, and hopefully soon he will - just not now...

How can I hold his head and his ear with one hand?

I am trying to send you a video on how to, give me a few minutes

 

[CORKY]

I am trying to send you a video on how to, give me a few minutes

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui...attid=F4D829A9-518A-45A6-A02A-0AE7CF23EF17&zw
I have a video I made showing you how I hold Corky's head, but for the life of me I do not know how to send it to you, is in my files, I have tried everything, you can send me your mail address on a PM conversation and I can send it to you if you like, the top one I was able to because it was short and I send it ti my email .to you, but this one I cannot

 

[CORKY]

https://mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com/attachment/u/0/?ui=2&ik=54a3d6264e&attid=0.1&permmsgid=msg-a:r-2670304034989084812&th=193a1f01b533da43&view=att&disp=safe&realattid=15A613EE-21BC-4F61-A938-108B6E222C9A&zw&saddbat=ANGjdJ960a6-VxAfFmlMg56swtYKoHM1VvsYK13c-IXGhehaz_OE3i12FJYEKuK6D8VQEP1_yv58oZAqzXqbtGDy4J-Nz5SLN5JBZfxyHNbVQYCfbm1XQSD4g_RGdR5-qbgEWM26d032w_7SeD1GrTpEUgJYhOD8G1lLucwNqyVPaBtzEureJEplPgRzZjLMbQ0RSYg0JpGOFW4Wv1_YZmOKAAh3pX1VbWHua5Zo9HjQtxI8mqHOf7LBfkPDuc-46qcHe24gW5H8xuTPbjDLSLBIkymZV5EvhFigg1IlNF_zCX1vOkZlk2N2cBkQQEx_Wkhp6sjI1DxK_GQCkuYd674crwrxWByWzro9E8xR5oS6PMEA6NhNtKh4XwPs5973FuL03BvL7oFG9mNNh9xnkdJ-2cw-pxFIv8JfTACLaNYQmMWcv2M-g5MZnOqBDIko5xN7HKhO-
uK4xNMXJB_5NPrkl9pAiynRO4nbUZ65q2N-oitzTJoshDbPlUCPnSOWx3IGibJZrrC1Bm7odNzD8MHx9koU8z3jdcLXLwXlIaXJaNMpDi7DEgp2BzsvRYMotPzDbNo0kVnJ1RMsVBAMEckZ2BQvRef5o70RfcjDBqsP8UpZ9zNVtpFFcMJmM87kU93N0y_ogGnfZddSge54Yp8Er_-yw2aBMoresCpjKr8pW9VbFYEznHvCTOEsCWXX3msf0xRvsaprylhivfErtQD0sAabT1JWWepAt90eU2NIzUmfaUqmDXM7IKZyIhjHgc2GqPbqm4Hp-si9MXxoSQeOvB4bG49CwynfHV58TLSst_nU5wHqKY_8VyWfTF4HEcqwEdda5ulzon_IqNPIxjPamJ3IAamRl9XUB56irZ83X3_7klkrXL8Pom69421Ep4g9VwzfDW1fewRRJ0Ori9HT2-OwZX8PqANHReHhhGpAPRN3kCIQPhIvLG09Xf3hqX2kmf3_8mBd7d4oLpYK4rYkLYLKA3LItLs9B9pX523B5e6FgZaULpO_wWfkCtfpKKXXXPXzp3l_B69-T0yZ

Think I got it I hope so!!

 

[SmallestSparrow]

Hi Bruce I couldn’t open Maria video but tried to take one handed photos —this isn’t my diabetic cat (he’s sleeping) it’s Muz who is a bit confused what I’m doing but I think you can see. I don’t prick his ear with this hold because I need to hold 2x2 under it and hold in place but as soon as I prick I rotate my hand to hold his head in place by holding head/jaw eith my hand and with my thumb at ear base to try to forestall a flick. As I rotate hand I drop lancet and pick up meter.
Admittedly I’m ambidextrous so that helps

From the side (as best I can)

 

[Billy the Kat Parent]

It aounds like youre able ro prick but he shakes before you get the drop. Maybe try to prick a couple times until you get a drop thats big enough or you just have to "milk" a little to get big enough. Once i got used to it some , and his ears "learned" to bleed more, i could tell pretty quickly if the drop would be big enough, and if not i try again. Also if you can get someone else to hold the cat or the meter, that could really help especially whole you're still learning. I know its frustrating at first, but it's worth it amd it will get easier for both of you!

 

[Bruce Blount]

I was able to get blood this morning - but not at night. He does not want anyone messing with his ears or feet. That Libre think is a no. It looks like the only option is to switch him to wet food - with no testing, as his vet suggests.