Getting started with home testing and SS

_Bobbie

_Bobbie

Member
Hello, my sugardude, Alex, was just diagnosed on Friday Feb 7. My intro post is here if it would be helpful to take a look. My vet prescribed 2 units of ProZinc every 12 hours without doing any home testing. Fortunately I found this group before I gave him too many doses, and at the suggestions of others, I started testing last night, and only dosing 1 unit for now. I've entered numbers in his SS, and would love some feedback if it isn't too soon to ask. His AMPS (11am) was 201, which felt a little on the fence, but since it was over 200 I did go ahead and dose him. I plan to check his nadir at +5. He ate a decent amount this morning, but I am wondering if I should pull up food before I do that test?

I am really struggling to get enough blood from his ears. Maybe I'm not warming them enough, but I plan to read the info on this site for other tips.

Otherwise, I think he is doing ok. His appetite seems quite a bit improved this morning compared to how it had been for the last week or so.

Thanks!
 
_Bobbie said:
I plan to check his nadir at +5. He ate a decent amount this morning, but I am wondering if I should pull up food before I do that test?
Click to expand...

No, you can just feed as you normally would throughout the day. The only times where we like to have the tests be free of food influence (or at least, as much as possible), is in the pre-shot tests where you have to make sure that it's safe to shoot. The rest of the day, he can munch as he usually does!

It does take a while for the ears to "learn to bleed" (grow extra capillaries). In the meantime, the only thing you can do is what you are doing-- warm the ears, use a larger-sized lancet (26 or 28), and hope he continues to be patient with the whole process!
 
_Bobbie said:
I am really struggling to get enough blood from his ears. Maybe I'm not warming them enough, but I plan to read the info on this site for other tips.
Click to expand...
I just wanted to second what Nan said- it really does take time for the ears to "learn to bleed", but it will get easier!
 
Too soon for feedback on the dosing.

Any way to get mid-cycle tests on the AM dosing? Maybe on weekends if you are not working then.
Even a +2 or +3 could be helpful. Before you "walk out the door" test.
 
Deb & Wink said:
Any way to get mid-cycle tests on the AM dosing? Maybe on weekends if you are not working then.
Even a +2 or +3 could be helpful. Before you "walk out the door" test.
Click to expand...

Yes, I will get something tomorrow. I had planned to test him today but was having a lot of difficulty getting blood. I bought a larger sized lancet, which I used for his PMPS, and it worked perfectly.
 
Yeah! Success with blood glucose (BG) testing with the larger lancet. Those lancets "for alternate site testing" can really help at the beginning until your cat's ears develop more capillaries in the "sweet spot".

Have you seen this?
"Testing
We all know the basics:
  • Warm the ear with a rice sock or a warm washcloth wrapped in a plastic bag.
  • 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.
4395c545-36bf-4aba-bec7-4392fcdb191c-jpeg.48119

But did you also know there is a particular way for the lancet to be used? It has one side that is beveled so the sharpest part goes in first, if used correctly."
From Marje and Gracie's Testing and Shooting Tips
It's buried within the Hometesting Links and Tips found in the
INDEX: Health Links/FAQs
within the
Health Links / FAQs about Feline Diabetes forum
 
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