First glucose curve

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Kerrie & Winnie

Kerrie & Winnie

Member Since 2015
I'm doing my first glucose curve. 3 pricks done, a gazillion or so left to go. Using the Alphatrak 2 lancet and finding it very hit-and-miss and I can NOT get blood out of her right ear at all. Is this just lack of experience on my part? I AM warming her ear and it sure helps but I'm still worried about repeated pokes, some of which are totally unproductive. Any tips???
 
It could be inexperience but it could also be that you've discovered which ear is easier. My cat has one ear which is much much easier to get blood from.

Don't worry so much about the repeated pokes. There are very few pain receptors in the ear. Are you giving the cat a super yummy treat (low carb of course)? I found that we both felt better when yummy treats were involved in the pokey pokes.

What is your method for warming the ear? At first, I was not warming the ear long enough which took me awhile to figure out.
Have you tried using a small flashlight to find the vein? I found this to be so useful when I was learning where to poke.
I will try to find the link which will show you where the sweet spot is on the ear as that was such a brilliant tip for us.
 
I wish I could find a low-carb treat she'll eat! I've tried about eight different kinds. She turns her nose up at all of them so it's back to Temptations (but only rarely - I'd love to be able to give her more). Gotta go do another poke! I'll try a flashlight. Thanks!!
 
When I discovered freeze dried chicken hearts my cat was delighted. I cut them into little pieces and give him one or two pieces after the poke. I've also recently found Orijen free run duck and wild boar treats which Radar loves. :cat:

Here's the info about the "sweet spot"
  • Either freehand or use a lancing device; new members usually start with a larger gauge lancet such as 28g or 29g until the ear learns to bleed; then progress to a 31g or 33g which are finer.
  • Be sure to poke in the "sweet spot" and not the major vein that runs along the length of the ear. Poking the vein will not only hurt, but will result in a lot of blood. The sweet spot is on the edge of the ear.
earpokey_zpsc6584fc3.jpg


Hope this helpful.
 
Don't just look for "treats". Mine thinks plain chicken from trader joes (meant for salads) is the best thing ever.
 
Try taking the clear plastic cover off the Alphatrak lancing device because you'll be able to see exactly where the tip of the lancet is aimed. Set the depth to 1 if you're going to press the button. It can be much easier to freehand the actual poke than pressing the button. :)


Mogs

EDITED TO ADD: I have read here about other cats who have one 'unco-operative' ear.

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kerriehale said:
I wish I could find a low-carb treat she'll eat!
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Does she like cooked chicken? If yes, then you could poach a chicken breast and cut it up into small morsels. You can freeze the morsels and take out as many as you need for the day. (Tip: spread the morsels out in a large freezer bag on a tray to stop them clumping together.)


Mogs
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I agree with everyone else on the treats...definitely makes the "pokey-pokey" time more "palatable." ;) In fact, almost ALL my cats come running when they hear the beep of the glucose meter once they figured out our sugarcat, Joshi, was getting a free treat out of the deal.

Another tip I've found useful for getting a successful blood draw if you're using the button on the lancet pen - I try to hold the pen in place for a second or two after I've triggered it. It seems like the blood drop forms more readily when I do that.
 
kerriehale said:
I'm doing my first glucose curve. 3 pricks done, a gazillion or so left to go. Using the Alphatrak 2 lancet and finding it very hit-and-miss and I can NOT get blood out of her right ear at all. Is this just lack of experience on my part? I AM warming her ear and it sure helps but I'm still worried about repeated pokes, some of which are totally unproductive. Any tips???
Click to expand...

This has always worked for me but if I don't do it right I'll be like you. You take the gauze pad that you're using for the opposite side of the ear and you fold it into quarters. The thicker the gauze pad, the better. You place the thickest part of gauze pad right where you plan on pricking the ear. Hold the ear taut against the thickest fold of the gauze and place the lancet straight up and firmly against it. If you've got it, you'll see and feel the ear is nice and taut against it. Then go for it. You'll get to the point where you'll get the feel of it. Many times I thought I had it taut against the gauze only to realize the thickness of the fold wasn't thick enough. If you get cheap gauze it'll be more loosely woven so it's harder to make it thick. That's the key that has worked for me.
 
I know this info was written for Kerrie, but I am also a newbie here and am finding it useful. I've had the AlphaTrak2 a week and have yet to successfully get blood out of my cat's ear tip yet. I will try some of these tips tomorrow. So thank you from another newbie!
 
Elissa said:
I know this info was written for Kerrie, but I am also a newbie here and am finding it useful. I've had the AlphaTrak2 a week and have yet to successfully get blood out of my cat's ear tip yet. I will try some of these tips tomorrow. So thank you from another newbie!
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Hi!
I use AT as well--when I started I was trying to use it like a human meter and I was so frustrated--
You probably know this but just in case.... the blood goes in on the side--the little black wing on either (not both) sides.... it requires a teeny spot of blood.
I use free hand as well not the pokey thing-
Good luck!!
 
jayla-n-Drevon said:
Hi!
I use AT as well--when I started I was trying to use it like a human meter and I was so frustrated--
You probably know this but just in case.... the blood goes in on the side--the little black wing on either (not both) sides.... it requires a teeny spot of blood.
I use free hand as well not the pokey thing-
Good luck!!
Click to expand...

Thank you! I finally got a reading yesterday, and even better, it was under 300.
 
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