Home testing is getting me down

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kristen & man

kristen & man

Member Since 2012
Home testing is becoming quite exasperating for us! I guess Im not getting his ear warm enough, or pricking his paw pad firmly enough.. We are getting tired of pricking in vain! I feel like all Im doing his breaking man's trust and ear capillaries. His ears have multiple bruises on their sweet spots and I feel like I should let him have a break from the assaults, plus he keeps scratching his ear edges(so Ive been keeping neosporin on them to prevent infection?) I really hope bruised sweet spots are the first step towards easy bleeding in the future, because this is getting disheartening! He is even starting to get a little bit of an upset stomach after 1 or 2 failed pricks.

Ive watched all of the youtube videos, read all of the different techniques, visited all of the links...

And here's what we've tried:
warming Man's ear with the rice sock first
using neosporin ointment
using a lancet device on the deepest setting
getting a sample when he is tired
free-handing the lancet with a cotton ball or tissue on the opposite side
milking the vein(so not happening)
Wrapping him up like a burrito
using my mouth to warm his ear while petting him
pricking his rear center paw pad free hand(Too thick)
Pressing lancet device firmly on deepest setting into afore-mentioned paw pad
milking the paw pad(Lets just say, neither of us are big milk fans in any context)
giving him praise and a treat EACH and EVERY TIME

Since learning about the onset and half life of Lantus in cats, its killing me to not know what his PS #'s are, esp when and how low his nadir is! Ive been erring on the side of caution based on random past test results and the curve we just did. Since putting him on Lantus and changing his diet, He has never had a bg of more than 110 or lower than 65. When I did the curve, his AMPS was 110, his nadir was 74 and his +8 was 90(last succesful sample taken). The day before the curve I had only given him 1u in the a.m. So when his amps came up as 110, I decided that 1u /day is safer than shooting blindly? We started wet food at the same time as lantus, so it would be really helpful to know what is doing what, you know? Im not a big fan of assumptions, esp when they can have severe repercussions emotionally and financially.

If you have any techniques that I havent tried, I would love to hear them. Also, Im including a link to a picture of his ear for feedback on whether im right to give it a little time to heal, or if it isnt as bad as I think.https://sites.google.com/site/manthearcticsugarcat/home/ears

Thanks!!
 
Hang in there. Sometimes it takes time for the ears to learn to bleed. I have also found with my cats that usually one ear is more generous than the other one.
 
Breathe. keep breathing.

I prick all over Chester's ear rims. I don't know if that's good or bad, but it keeps him from getting a big bruise or sore spot in just one area. I do freehand the lancet because the click of the lancet pen makes him flinch more than the poke alone does. I do usually have to poke harder than I think I do. What size lancets are you using? I use 28 gauge which seem to give me a good blood drop most of the time. Sometimes i get frustrated - Chester bleeds well enough, but he's a master at shaking his head just as the tester approaches the blood drop. It looks like your boy has a big ear margin. Do you go close to the edge or do you get closer to the vein? Maybe you would have luck closer to the vein...No fun if you hit it, but it's closer to the blood supply.

Breathe. Keep breathing. You can do this.
 
Also, I found the Oliver gave me better luck when I poked on the underside edge of his ears, but Shadoe was better when I poked on the outer hairy side of her ears. I don't know why, but that's how they were...

I know it's frustrating.... before the ears 'learn' to bleed, and it does get better, it's hard to believe.
One of my civies occasionally would come over to be tested.... she saw me test the other two all the time, so I guess she wanted to be tested as well. I always had a horrible time with her, even though it was just one poke for each of the others.... she would just sit there and wait until I got a drop of blood and showed her the number, and gave her praise because she hates treats...

All I can say is to just keep at it because it does get easier as your cat's ears heal with each poke.
Try along diff spots along the edges of each ear and you will find the best locations on your cat for pokes.
 
Oh, Sweetie, I am SO sorry that you're having such a hard time with testing...

It seems to me that you are doing ALL the right things.... So I really do understand your frustration.

Please know - in spite of all the apparent obstacles - that you are trying to do the very best you can for your cat. Everyone here knows that. So don't ever doubt yourself.

I really wish my cat could hop over 'the pond' and give your cat a serious 'talking to', and make him understand how hard you are trying to help him. (Maybe I should buy him a plane ticket...?!)

Hang in there, Sweetie, please. I'm sure it will get better.

(((Hugs)))

Eliz
 
Oh, Kristen I feel for you! It looks like you're doing everything right. Here's a link to a condo Marje put together full of helpful tips. For this instance, there's a section on ear testing - specifically discussing the bevel of the lancet - and also some tips on ear care. Maybe it has the one little thing that makes this go easier for you. Hang in there! :YMHUG:

Helpful tips
 
I was just like you not even 2 weeks ago. I was crying all the time because I felt like such a failure. It seemed like everyone else could do it so easily and I just couldn't. Now I get enough blood on first hit just about every time.

I find the warm water in a pill bottle the easiest. The rice sock and the warm washcloth in a bag didn't work out for me.
I discovered I was using 30 gauge so I tried 27 gauge and it was much easier.
I can never get anything from where the diagrams show the sweet spot. I go about half an inch below that.
Try a lancing device with a clear top so you can see exactly where the lancet hits. My cat doesn't tolerate just the lancet.
 
Lancing device needs to be completely flat on the surface of the ear with a cotton ball, cosmetic pad, something underneath the ear for support. Try using a less deep setting. Too deep and the blood goes down and does not come up to the surface. As for milking, you only push from the bottom of the poke....not top and bottom. Always apply a little pressure after poking to minimize the bruising.
 
:thumbup Thank you for all of your kind words and encouragement! Most people in my life just cant comprehend the brevity of what comes with a diabetes diagnosis in a kitty.

Hope + (((Baby)))GA said:
As for milking, you only push from the bottom of the poke....not top and bottom.
Click to expand...
Oops! I was trying to "milk" his ear from all directions, which was not working out!

Angela and Milo said:
I find the warm water in a pill bottle the easiest.
Click to expand...
This is what Im trying next, it seems much less awkward and smelly then the rice sock.

MbMinx said:
It looks like your boy has a big ear margin. Do you go close to the edge or do you get closer to the vein? Maybe you would have luck closer to the vein...No fun if you hit it, but it's closer to the blood supply.
Click to expand...
Im embarrassed to admit, but in the beginning I was poking his actual vein, not the space between the edge and the vein...That's probably why his ears are so irritated! Is his ear margin the space between the vein and the edge of his ear? Ive been using 28 gauge lancets but Ive decided to go get some 26's to help speed along the learning to bleed process.

Blue said:
One of my civies occasionally would come over to be tested.... she saw me test the other two all the time, so I guess she wanted to be tested as well. I always had a horrible time with her, even though it was just one poke for each of the others.... she would just sit there and wait until I got a drop of blood and showed her the number, and gave her praise because she hates treats...
Click to expand...
That made me smile. My civie, Marley, doesnt mind that Man is the only one getting treats through out the day. I think he is empathetic to Man's plight, and grateful he isnt the one going through it himself!

Tara & Buster said:
For this instance, there's a section on ear testing - specifically discussing the bevel of the lancet
Click to expand...
I wasnt aware of the bevel! Im so glad we havent run the whole gamut of testing techniques to try out!

Well thanks to all of your great insights, my next plan of action includes:
Poking him with a bigger lancet
Venturing a little bit above or below the "sweet spot"
Poking him from the inside edge of his ear
heating his ear up with a warm pill bottle
Breathing my way through it and eating a little piece of chocolate every time I get discouraged! Why should he get all of the positive reinforcement?

party_cat May 2013 be the year his ears take sympathy on me and bleed on the first prick!! drinking24
 
Forgot to mention that after each poke, even if you don't get the blood to test, always give praise, hugs and kisses. They go a long way. Even after years of testing every day, you still give praise and kisses. Also, Man is gorgeous! Both your cats are beautiful.
 
It does get easier - I promise. Many of us find using the lancet "free hand" easier than using the device. I feel like I have more control over it. Also, massaging the ear towards the tips before you poke seems to help too. If you accidentally poke the vein, don't worry. We all probably have done it at least once. However, you will get a large drop of blood and if your cat is anything like mine, he will probably shake his head at that moment and your walls will look like a scene from CSI. :lol: If you do get a lot of blood, just pinch the ear slightly for a few moments and that seems to help it clot.
 
Hi Kristen, it was hard for all of us at first, and we each find our own best method. You are far from out of options and suddenly it will be "OMG it worked" and then it will work again and again. The more you calm down about doing it , the calmer Man will be on the receiving end.

  • -- If you are freehanding hold the lancet at a 45º angle, not straight down in.
    -- Rotate the lancet slightly while just barely touching the edge of the ear. This will open the cut (lancets are faceted, not round so you get more of a cut than a hole ) slightly and allow easier bleeding.
    -- Try a very light double poke. The second seems to release some internal pressure and then the first bleeds more freely.
    -- Consider a different brand of lancet. I like the BD brand, it seems to be sharper and needs less pressure to use. It also seems to hurt less and i can use a smaller size lancet and still get a good blood drop.
 
Sorry to hear you are having issues and here are my experiences... I have to admit that my boys ears ( i dont like doing paws since I am worried about infection) do look a little like a war zone in spots. With Tiggy, he is a real bleeder so nice and easy usually, but Bailey is a tough one and doesnt like to give it up.

1. I choose the warmest ear. Cold ears give nothing.
2. If there isnt a warm ear, I massage his ears till real warm ( a minute or two) . I tried the sock etc but I was worried I would burn him
3. I tend to use the same spot. The spot is a little swollen and bruised sometimes he meows when I do it but its the only place that I dont have to prick 3+ times to get any blood from. Sometimes I even have to prick the area a few times. He doesnt like that and complains.
2. I do go for the vein too (even though they say not to) but he just wont give it up otherwise and even with the vein he gives me just enough to waste the strip but not be enough for a reading.
3. Milking doesnt work for him but sometimes I put pressure below the wound (towards his body - the opposite side from the ear tip) and that seems to create a damming effect or it to well up.
4. I bought a small flashlight (rechargeable on ebay) that i can use to press against. works better than a cotton ball and it gives me light to see the veins etc.

And I have to say sometimes he objects and doesnt love it, but its better than the alternative.. a hypo or sick diabetic cat. I think it probably hurts as much as pricking your thumb with the lancet (which I do occasionally by accident) and thats a minor thing. I have been poking at the same swollen spot for 8 months now and I put neosporin on to ease the pain. Doesnt seem to cause any long term issues so far.
 
Kristen,

It took me a while to figure out Lizzy's ears, too. Her right ear bleeds easily, but her left ear drives me nuts and it has a certain spot that I have to hit in order to get blood. I use the right ear one day & the left ear the next in order to give each ear a day to rest. I have had better luck using the under side of the ear because her ears are black, the under side doesn't have as much dark hair and I can see the blood easier. Hang in there, you will get it figured out.

Andy
 
when I look at the picture you showed of his ear.... I noticed that you are much lower on the ear than I was with my cat.
I often had better luck closer to the ear tip, right on the edge....

I tend to hit right above where this picture says is the upper sweet spot. And I also put a tiny dab of neosporin on before the poke.
It helped the blood to bead up and I could see it better on black ears.
ear_web1_zps0bf45a17.jpg



I also have the Accu-chek softclix plus which is a 26 gauge. When I switched to this lancing device, I quit havig troubles.
 
I went to the pharmacy with renewed hope in conquering home testing after reading all of your awesome posts and tips and picked up some 26 gauge lancets. I threw out the smelly rice sock in exchange for a pill bottle filled with hot water. I sat down next to Man on the couch, pricked him once ABOVE the overly used sweet spot, and got a beautiful blood bead resulting in a perfect test and an awesome PMPS of 100. Its looking like it's gonna be a happy 2013 for us after all!!
:RAHCAT
Happy new years to all of you @ the FMDB!!
 
WOOHOO!!! BLOOD!!!

Where else can you go where people get excited about a drop of blood and good poops.... :lol:

GREAT JOB!!! See? We TOLD you it would get easier! When it's KT's test time and I plug in his strip making the meter beep, everyone including the 2 pups come running 'cos it means TREATS for ALL! Everyone has their 'spot' too....
 
Squeaky and KT said:
..When it's KT's test time and I plug in his strip making the meter beep, everyone including the 2 pups come running 'cos it means TREATS for ALL! Everyone has their 'spot' too....
Click to expand...

It's like that in our house too. As soon as I rattle the test strip vial the room fills up with kittehs!!! (Costs me an absolute fortune in low carb cat treats...... :roll: :lol: )
 
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