freaked out with home testing

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Desie

Member Since 2014
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My Sheeba has just been diagnosed with diabetes. Although I have do the test together with the doctoe now thatI have to do the test at home I have freaked out. My cat does not accept it & I am lost... I am taking blood from the wrist paw as it was impossible to take blood from the ears. Please help............................................... confused_cat
 
Don't worry. We all have tips that helped us. What was important for us was

A big enough lancet (the 30-31 gauge for humans is too small for most cats in the beginning)

Warming the ears enough. At first, the ears have to be very warm. Are you using a rice sack or a prescription bottle with very warm water?
 
Sue and Oliver (GA) said:
Don't worry. We all have tips that helped us. What was important for us was

A big enough lancet (the 30-31 gauge for humans is too small for most cats in the beginning)

Warming the ears enough. At first, the ears have to be very warm. Are you using a rice sack or a prescription bottle with very warm water?
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yes but with the ear was negative from the beginning that is why I tried the paw; as I cannot get any measurements I am afraid to inject him with insouline. What should I do???
 
The ear is usually easier than the paw but the suggestions work with both. Did you warm it? Are you using a big enough lancet? Sometimes you can double poke - a quick second poke in the same spot.

What kind of insulin? What dose? What was the number the vet got?
 
Sue and Oliver (GA) said:
The ear is usually easier than the paw. Did you warm it? Are you using a big enough lancet? Sometimes you can double poke - a quick second poke in the same spot.

What kind of insulin? What dose? What was the number the vet got?
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Thank you for answering to me......
as we are just starting the first measurement was 432, the insulin dose is 0.02 mg twice a day for the first 3 days & then according to the numbers we get we shall increase or reduce the dosage.
regarding the ear I am afraid to poke to hard in case I hit a vain & also to try to many times as he gets stressed & the number will be high & propably not a correct one.
yes the lancets that I bought are big enough & the ears very warm.
I believe that it will get better with time but now seems like a nightmare.
 
It is overwhelming at first. It took a whole weekend of poking before we got a drop. Actually, hitting the vein when you really need to get a number isn't awful, just not good as a practice. Be sure to give him a treat every time you poke, successful or not so he associates a treat with the poke.

.02 is a strange amount of insulin. What size syringes? What does it say on the box? How far up on the syringe do you draw? I'd say go with the usual amount tonight as you keep practicing, if I could understand how much you are giving.
 
Sue and Oliver (GA) said:
It is overwhelming at first. It took a whole weekend of poking before we got a drop. Actually, hitting the vein when you really need to get a number isn't awful, just not good as a practice. Be sure to give him a treat every time you poke, successful or not so he associates a treat with the poke.

.02 is a strange amount of insulin. What size syringes? What does it say on the box? How far up on the syringe do you draw? I'd say go with the usual amount tonight as you keep practicing, if I could understand how much you are giving.
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*** it says on the syringes package Insuline U-100 0,3 ml (or 0.30mm or 30g) the amount is up to the second big stroke of the syringe (counting from 0-0,5-1-1,5-2) & the insuline brand name is Lantus ( of german making ).
 
I have to go.

It sounds like you are giving 2 units. If you are worried because you don't have a number, you could give half that. We have a saying - better too high for a day than too low for a minute.

Come on tomorrow and tell us exactly what your technique/procedure is so we can offer suggestions.
 
Sue and Oliver (GA) said:
I have to go.

It sounds like you are giving 2 units. If you are worried because you don't have a number, you could give half that. We have a saying - better too high for a day than too low for a minute.

Come on tomorrow and tell us exactly what your technique/procedure is so we can offer suggestions.
Click to expand...

NIce saying
ok thank you for all your asnwers I will see how it gets & get back to you
just taking baby steps
 
Hi, is your name Desie? My name is Shelly, and my kitty's name is Jersey. Welcome to FDMB! We really struggled when we first started home testing. Despite all of the tips people gave us, we just couldn't seem to get the hang of ear testing. In desperation, we tried the paw one day and found that it was much easier for us. We paw tested from then on. Even though it's not the ideal testing method, it worked for us. If paw testing is going to work for you, it's okay to use it!

Here is what we did:

First, we heated a rice-filled sock in the microwave. We just heated it for 15 to 20 seconds - not long, just long enough to be warm. We held that on Jersey's paw for about 15 to 20 seconds, too. Again, we didn't want to get her paw hot; we just wanted to warm it. The heat was key for us. If her paw was cold, we found that we struggled to get blood. After we warmed her paw, we put just a tiny dab of Neosporin pain relief ointment on her paw. This was another key for us. The Neosporin helped the blood well up so we could get a good reading. (Don't put too much on; you don't want it to interfere with the reading.) Once we poked the pad, we had to gently squeeze it to get the blood to come up. Sometimes the blood would immediately come up. Sometimes, it would take a few seconds. (There were some occasions where I even had to poke again because I couldn't get any blood up.) Once we got the sample, I applied pressure to the site with a cotton ball and then followed it with another small dab of Neosporin ointment.

We used the bigger lancets (26 gauge) when we first started out. As we got better at testing, we were able to use smaller lancets on shallower settings.

I hope some of this helps. Hang in there - it really does get easier!
Shelly
 
While you work on home blood glucose testing, see my signature link Secondary Monitoring Tools for some additionaly assessments you can make on your cat. In particular, note the info on urine ketone testing and how to check for dehydration.

You'll get the home testing down with practice. You can practice pricking an apple or yourself, to get a feel for it and to get the steps coordinated too.

Wherabouts do you live (city, state/province, country)? We may have someone near you who could lend a hand.
 
Massaging the ears also helps to get the blood flowing. Massage from the base towards the tip of the ear. Also, you want to always give your kitty a low carb treat after testing, even if you are not successful. Soon Sheba will learn associate testing with getting a treat and may start reminding you when it is time to test. :mrgreen:
 
Shelly & Jersey said:
Hi, is your name Desie? My name is Shelly, and my kitty's name is Jersey. Welcome to FDMB! We really struggled when we first started home testing. Despite all of the tips people gave us, we just couldn't seem to get the hang of ear testing. In desperation, we tried the paw one day and found that it was much easier for us. We paw tested from then on. Even though it's not the ideal testing method, it worked for us. If paw testing is going to work for you, it's okay to use it!

Here is what we did:

First, we heated a rice-filled sock in the microwave. We just heated it for 15 to 20 seconds - not long, just long enough to be warm. We held that on Jersey's paw for about 15 to 20 seconds, too. Again, we didn't want to get her paw hot; we just wanted to warm it. The heat was key for us. If her paw was cold, we found that we struggled to get blood. After we warmed her paw, we put just a tiny dab of Neosporin pain relief ointment on her paw. This was another key for us. The Neosporin helped the blood well up so we could get a good reading. (Don't put too much on; you don't want it to interfere with the reading.) Once we poked the pad, we had to gently squeeze it to get the blood to come up. Sometimes the blood would immediately come up. Sometimes, it would take a few seconds. (There were some occasions where I even had to poke again because I couldn't get any blood up.) Once we got the sample, I applied pressure to the site with a cotton ball and then followed it with another small dab of Neosporin ointment.

We used the bigger lancets (26 gauge) when we first started out. As we got better at testing, we were able to use smaller lancets on shallower settings.

I hope some of this helps. Hang in there - it really does get easier!
Shelly
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Hi Shelly,
my name is Desie & my cat's name Sheba (a ginger cat). I am still struggling with the testing but thank you for the tip & I will give a try today. I have also started with the paw but after the second time he does not work with me.
I will let you know how we did...

thank you again
Desie
 
Lisa and Witn (GA) said:
Massaging the ears also helps to get the blood flowing. Massage from the base towards the tip of the ear. Also, you want to always give your kitty a low carb treat after testing, even if you are not successful. Soon Sheba will learn associate testing with getting a treat and may start reminding you when it is time to test. :mrgreen:
Click to expand...

thank you Lisa I will also try massaging the ears but he hates the noise of the glucometer; as soon as he hears the blip he reacts in a rather "violent way" meawing like crazy & scratching everyone. I have never seen him like this before as he is a very sweet cat; so I try not to push as stress affects the glucose level in his blood... :?
 
BJM said:
While you work on home blood glucose testing, see my signature link Secondary Monitoring Tools for some additionaly assessments you can make on your cat. In particular, note the info on urine ketone testing and how to check for dehydration.

You'll get the home testing down with practice. You can practice pricking an apple or yourself, to get a feel for it and to get the steps coordinated too.

Wherabouts do you live (city, state/province, country)? We may have someone near you who could lend a hand.
Click to expand...

thank you for answering back to me & for all the information. The major problem is that the cat does not work with me on this.
& maybe he senses that I am totally stressed & reacts like that. He also hates the sound of the glucometer.
I am in London & I have help with this (thank you again)...
 
I think you might be able to turn off the sounds on the meter. Look at the directions. Are you giving treats after each stick?
 
Desie said:
Shelly & Jersey said:
Hi, is your name Desie? My name is Shelly, and my kitty's name is Jersey. Welcome to FDMB! We really struggled when we first started home testing. Despite all of the tips people gave us, we just couldn't seem to get the hang of ear testing. In desperation, we tried the paw one day and found that it was much easier for us. We paw tested from then on. Even though it's not the ideal testing method, it worked for us. If paw testing is going to work for you, it's okay to use it!

Here is what we did:

First, we heated a rice-filled sock in the microwave. We just heated it for 15 to 20 seconds - not long, just long enough to be warm. We held that on Jersey's paw for about 15 to 20 seconds, too. Again, we didn't want to get her paw hot; we just wanted to warm it. The heat was key for us. If her paw was cold, we found that we struggled to get blood. After we warmed her paw, we put just a tiny dab of Neosporin pain relief ointment on her paw. This was another key for us. The Neosporin helped the blood well up so we could get a good reading. (Don't put too much on; you don't want it to interfere with the reading.) Once we poked the pad, we had to gently squeeze it to get the blood to come up. Sometimes the blood would immediately come up. Sometimes, it would take a few seconds. (There were some occasions where I even had to poke again because I couldn't get any blood up.) Once we got the sample, I applied pressure to the site with a cotton ball and then followed it with another small dab of Neosporin ointment.

We used the bigger lancets (26 gauge) when we first started out. As we got better at testing, we were able to use smaller lancets on shallower settings.

I hope some of this helps. Hang in there - it really does get easier!
Shelly
Click to expand...

Hi Shelly,
my name is Desie & my cat's name Sheba (a ginger cat). I am still struggling with the testing but thank you for the tip & I will give a try today. I have also started with the paw but after the second time he does not work with me.
I will let you know how we did...

thank you again
Desie
Click to expand...

one more question how do you handle the hunger between meals?
 
Lots of people feed small frequent meals to help with the hunger issue. They really are not processing the food well until they get regulated. You can also add warm water to the wet food to make a gravy. It makes them feel like they are getting more, and the fluid is good for them.

You also might start the process over. Take him where you are going to test, play with his ear or paw, warm it, praise him, give him a treat and let him go. Do that a few times and then add the noise of the lancet. Every time praise and treat. When he gets used to that, add the poke.
 
I don't use a lancet. I also sometimes you a 25g needle as it gets blood with one stick every time. My vet taught me with one.
 
If you get blood every time, what is the problem? I thought you couldn't get enough blood. sorry if we have been misunderstanding the issue. Any time you get a drop if he is headed away, put it on your fingernail and test from there.

If you can't get the glucometer to be quiet, you might try the desensitizing trick with the noise of it.
 
tiffmaxee said:
I think you might be able to turn off the sounds on the meter. Look at the directions. Are you giving treats after each stick?
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I cannot turn it off I just checked,
yes I am giving him treats :smile:
 
Sue and Oliver (GA) said:
If you get blood every time, what is the problem? I thought you couldn't get enough blood. sorry if we have been misunderstanding the issue. Any time you get a drop if he is headed away, put it on your fingernail and test from there.

If you can't get the glucometer to be quiet, you might try the desensitizing trick with the noise of it.
Click to expand...

It is both I cannot get enough blood & the cat acts like crazy with the glucometer.
I believe that regarding the blood I will manage it eventualy & then maybe the cat will relax; at the moment we are both new at it & all kind of advise is useful.
 
Well, you might try getting it on your fingernail for awhile using the glucometer after he has moved away. Once he gets used to the process (and you do too) you can try getting the reading directly from his ear.
 
If not getting enough blood, using a 23-26g needle will help. Sometimes you will get more blood than you need this way but most of the time the right amount. It is how I learned at first. Also, are your lancets for alternative site? They are bigger and will be 26g and thus give you a bigger blood drop. I bought 33g at first thinking it would hurt less but I couldn't get enough blood and had to stick more than once. Those are better for when we are more experienced and more importantly the cats are bleeding better. Max also shakes his ear after the stick so I have to hold it really well or lose the blood.

You might want to remove the 911 now. Testing will get better with time. I promise.
 
To remove the 911 icon, you need to go back to your very first post in this topic, click on the little edit button over towards the right, and change the post icon radio button (the little circle) to None.
 
tiffmaxee said:
If not getting enough blood, using a 23-26g needle will help. Sometimes you will get more blood than you need this way but most of the time the right amount. It is how I learned at first. Also, are your lancets for alternative site? They are bigger and will be 26g and thus give you a bigger blood drop. I bought 33g at first thinking it would hurt less but I couldn't get enough blood and had to stick more than once. Those are better for when we are more experienced and more importantly the cats are bleeding better. Max also shakes his ear after the stick so I have to hold it really well or lose the blood.

You might want to remove the 911 now. Testing will get better with time. I promise.
Click to expand...


:smile: thank you all for everything!!! we managed to take our first adequate drop of blood...Sheba considers it a part of a game now & he does not complain. The warming sock worked & he plays with it the rest of the time (he enjoys the sound of the rise inside & we got him some new treats that he loves. The best news is that he dropped from 432 to 320 within 3 days :-D
We know that it is a long way yet but we are really happy that we had you on our side these first 3 days. dancing_cat
 
Super!! After a couple of weeks of daily pricks the ear will start to bleed easier. Thanks for removing the 911.

Elise
 
How are things going with you guys today? Is the testing still going okay and are you using the ear or the paw pad now?
 
KPassa said:
How are things going with you guys today? Is the testing still going okay and are you using the ear or the paw pad now?
Click to expand...


still having difficulties...
we are using the paw pad & some days is hard :?
 
hi Desie,

When you said London, do you mean London England? You said Sheba is on Lantus so I assume not, but if so, me too! I'm also having problems testing, what glucometer do you have? I have a 'codefree' it's fairly quiet, if I sort out the problems with the test strips (see my post on first attempt at home testing) and you are in London England, you're welcome to try my glucometer on Sheba.
Good luck,
Cassandra and Angel
 
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