Help! Can't get blood from my cat's ear

[VictoriaZh]

Привіт усім,

Моєму коту Бубі 12 років, і 20 жовтня йому поставили діагноз діабет. Протягом трьох днів у ветеринарній клініці йому вимірювали рівень глюкози в крові та робили ін'єкції інсуліну. Мені вдалося успішно перевірити рівень глюкози в крові лише двічі, бо мені важко отримати достатню кількість крові з його вуха.

Тепер мені доводиться все робити самостійно, бо мій ветеринар у відпустці на вихідні. Бубі зробили ін'єкцію інсуліну в клініці сьогодні о 8:30 ранку, але я досі не зміг перевірити рівень глюкози в його крові.

Я вже тричі проколов йому вухо в місці, рекомендованому людьми на цьому форумі, але крові майже немає, і її недостатньо для глюкометра. Я використовую ланцети 30G.

Будь ласка, чи може хтось мені допомогти? Що я роблю не так? Як мені отримати достатню кількість крові для аналізу на глюкозу? Я у відчаї та дуже хвилююся за свого кота.

Вибачте, але моя англійська не дуже добре володіє, тому я користуюся перекладачем для спілкування.

Щиро дякую за будь-яку пораду!

 

[Tim & Pookey]

Translation:

Hi everyone,

My cat Buba is 12 years old, and he was diagnosed with diabetes on October 20. For three days at the veterinary clinic, they monitored his blood glucose levels and gave him insulin injections. I have only managed to successfully test his blood glucose twice because I am having trouble getting enough blood from his ear.

Now I have to do everything on my own because my veterinarian is away for the weekend. Buba received an insulin injection at the clinic today at 8:30 AM, but I still haven't been able to check his blood glucose level.

I have already pricked his ear three times in the spot recommended by people on this forum, but there is almost no blood, and it's not enough for the glucose meter. I am using 30G lancets.

Please, can someone help me? What am I doing wrong? How can I get enough blood to test his glucose? I am desperate and very worried about my cat.

I apologize, but my English is not very good, so I am using a translator to communicate.

Thank you so much for any advice! ❤

 

[VictoriaZh]

Could it help if I gently wake Buba up and let him walk around for a while before testing his blood glucose? He is sleeping right now, and I'm wondering if that might help blood circulation and make it easier to get a blood sample.

This is what his ears look like. I'm so worried and really need your help.

 

[squeem3]

Testing tips are here: Hometesting Links and Tips

Are you warming the ear first? That will really help. Most people use a "rice sock". Take a small cotton sock. Fill with a few spoonfuls of uncooked rice or dried beans. Tie the sock close. Heat in the microwave until just comfortably warm enough for you to hold. Try 10 seconds to start and add more or less time as needed. Wrap the warm sock around the edge of the cat's ear for a good minute. Then hold the sock inside the ear to provide a firm surface while you poke on the furry side of the ear with the lancet. If you are using the lancet device that has adjustable depth settings, try a higher setting.

30 gauge lancets are too thin. Look for 25 gauge needles.

If you don't have a microwave, some people soak a washcloth in very hot water for a few minutes, wring the washcloth dry and place it inside of a plastic baggie, and then warp it around the cat's ear. Others have filled a small empty medicine bottle with hot water and hold that against the ear.

 

[VictoriaZh]

Testing tips are here: Hometesting Links and Tips

Are you warming the ear first? That will really help. Most people use a "rice sock". Take a small cotton sock. Fill with a few spoonfuls of uncooked rice or dried beans. Tie the sock close. Heat in the microwave until just comfortably warm enough for you to hold. Try 10 seconds to start and add more or less time as needed. Wrap the warm sock around the edge of the cat's ear for a good minute. Then hold the sock inside the ear to provide a firm surface while you poke on the furry side of the ear with the lancet. If you are using the lancet device that has adjustable depth settings, try a higher setting.

30 gauge lancets are too thin. Look for 25 gauge needles.

If you don't have a microwave, some people soak a washcloth in very hot water for a few minutes, wring the washcloth dry and place it inside of a plastic baggie, and then warp it around the cat's ear. Others have filled a small empty medicine bottle with hot water and hold that against the ear.

Thank you so much for your help! I finally managed to get a blood sample from Buba using a 24G needle. I couldn't find a 25G needle. I had to insert the needle at an angle because no blood came out from the initial prick.

The blood also seemed quite thick to me, at least compared to my own blood when I tested my glucose. Is cat blood normally thicker than human blood?

I also have another question. There are already quite a lot of prick marks on Buba's ears. I'm worried that I'll keep pricking the same spots by accident. What should I do when there are more and more prick marks? How do you manage to find new spots?

Thank you again! I'm a beginner and really appreciate your help.

 

[VictoriaZh]

Hello everyone! I've been reading the discussions on this forum about blood glucose testing, and I'd like to ask for some advice.

Have I understood correctly that it's okay to prick the same spot on Buba's ear repeatedly, as long as it's the “sweet spot” on his ear? Or is it better to alternate between both ears?

Also, what happens if I accidentally prick the same spot again with the lancet? Could Buba's ear become sore or painful afterward?

Thank you so much for your help!

 

[Sara & Khloe]

Hello, with my kitty, I alternate ears and I slightly change the poke area (meaning I go slightly up and down the ear). Poking the exact same spot repeatedly could cause scar tissue over time but I wouldn’t worry too much about that right now as you’re still learning and Buba’s ears are still learning to bleed.

I’ve been poking my cat’s ears for over 6 months, I’m sure I’ve poked the same spot accidentally before and haven’t noticed any soreness or pain. At most, her ears are alittle pink and that’s all. She doesn’t even notice anymore.

 

[VictoriaZh]

Hello, with my kitty, I alternate ears and I slightly change the poke area (meaning I go slightly up and down the ear). Poking the exact same spot repeatedly could cause scar tissue over time but I wouldn’t worry too much about that right now as you’re still learning and Buba’s ears are still learning to bleed.

I’ve been poking my cat’s ears for over 6 months, I’m sure I’ve poked the same spot accidentally before and haven’t noticed any soreness or pain. At most, her ears are alittle pink and that’s all. She doesn’t even notice anymore.

Thank you so much! You've really put my mind at ease.