See that little ad up in the top right? That one that advertises home testing kits? Poring through the message board a few weeks ago, getting somewhat overwhelmed, I clicked on that link. One small donation to the board (too small, given all the great info on here!) and one week later, I was in possession of a free home testing kit for Sage. The only request made of me was that, in return, I post about my experience learning to use it on the board.
First, whomever sewed the catnip toy and rice sock that came in my kit has my thanks. After reading through the instructions for the Relion Confirm meter that came in my kit, I sat down with Sage, gave her the catnip toy, and she ignored the rest of the proceedings. Catnip is a rare treat, and this one had her full attention. I held the slightly warmed rice sock against her ear and head, found the vein, clicked the lancet device and... nothing. First I tested the lancet device by using it to puncture a hole in the cardboard box the kit had come in. So the device wasn't the problem. Then I re-read the online picture instructions for how to glucose test your cat (http://www.catinfo.org/?link=felinediabetes). Figuring the ear was still warm enough, I pricked Sage's ear with a lancet by hand a few more times. Nothing. My cat must be a zombie cat.
Then I went to bed. This was probably the smartest thing I did in that whole first try, because as I found out, it's only difficult to test your cat if you are tired, worried about the cat, and convinced the cat is a zombie with no actual blood in its ears.
The next morning, I put the rice sock in the microwave for 20 seconds. It felt too hot when I took it out, but not burning hot, just a bit more than the slightly warm temperature I had used the night before. I got everything ready, and held the rice sock against Sage's ear for the full two minutes that had been recommended (again, catnip toy was a lifesaver, and Sage now knows she only gets it when she's being tested). I found the vein along the very outside edge of Sage's ear, pricked the vein, and ... BLOOD EVERYWHERE. Sage was not in fact, a zombie. I easily filled the test strip, then scrambled for a tissue to wipe up the rest of blood. Sage stopped bleeding within about 10 seconds, but I had not been prepared for the head shake or for things to actually work this time. The blood glucose meter read 387 mg/dL, much too high and a very welcome confirmation that I had not been making up symptoms.
It's all been said, but I'll repeat the advice we newbie testers get:
1. You CAN test your cat's blood glucose. It's easy and your cat likely won't be all that bothered by the process.
2. Warm the rice sock, use it for 2 minutes, and do not skip or shorten this step!
3. If things aren't working, take a break and come back to it later.
And a huge thank you again to this community and to Rebecca for pairing good information with great, free, supplies in the home testing kit.
Laura
First, whomever sewed the catnip toy and rice sock that came in my kit has my thanks. After reading through the instructions for the Relion Confirm meter that came in my kit, I sat down with Sage, gave her the catnip toy, and she ignored the rest of the proceedings. Catnip is a rare treat, and this one had her full attention. I held the slightly warmed rice sock against her ear and head, found the vein, clicked the lancet device and... nothing. First I tested the lancet device by using it to puncture a hole in the cardboard box the kit had come in. So the device wasn't the problem. Then I re-read the online picture instructions for how to glucose test your cat (http://www.catinfo.org/?link=felinediabetes). Figuring the ear was still warm enough, I pricked Sage's ear with a lancet by hand a few more times. Nothing. My cat must be a zombie cat.
Then I went to bed. This was probably the smartest thing I did in that whole first try, because as I found out, it's only difficult to test your cat if you are tired, worried about the cat, and convinced the cat is a zombie with no actual blood in its ears.
The next morning, I put the rice sock in the microwave for 20 seconds. It felt too hot when I took it out, but not burning hot, just a bit more than the slightly warm temperature I had used the night before. I got everything ready, and held the rice sock against Sage's ear for the full two minutes that had been recommended (again, catnip toy was a lifesaver, and Sage now knows she only gets it when she's being tested). I found the vein along the very outside edge of Sage's ear, pricked the vein, and ... BLOOD EVERYWHERE. Sage was not in fact, a zombie. I easily filled the test strip, then scrambled for a tissue to wipe up the rest of blood. Sage stopped bleeding within about 10 seconds, but I had not been prepared for the head shake or for things to actually work this time. The blood glucose meter read 387 mg/dL, much too high and a very welcome confirmation that I had not been making up symptoms.
It's all been said, but I'll repeat the advice we newbie testers get:
1. You CAN test your cat's blood glucose. It's easy and your cat likely won't be all that bothered by the process.
2. Warm the rice sock, use it for 2 minutes, and do not skip or shorten this step!
3. If things aren't working, take a break and come back to it later.
And a huge thank you again to this community and to Rebecca for pairing good information with great, free, supplies in the home testing kit.
Laura
