home testing - which is easier - lancet or needle?

Status
Not open for further replies.
T

terryinlouisville

Member Since 2014
My vet thinks a needle is easier...I worry about poking all the way through Daisy's ear...does using a lancet help with that issue ?(give you more control of the depth of your poke?) Does the noise of the pen startle a cat? Thank you for your thoughts on this. I'm rather skittish with the needle.
 
I prefer the lancet with lancet pen. Some like just using the lancet freehand. I tried that when I started by my Gray Ghost pulled away when it was in the ear and the tip of the ripped a litter and there was blood everywhere. Very few caretakers use a needle that usually used with syringes with removable needles.
 
I only use the lancet pen - as Larry said, the needle can cause too much damage if kitty wiggles at the wrong time. Neither of 'da sugarboyz' react to the sound of the click. The lancet pen lets you adjust the depth. Be sure you're holding something hard behind the ear or the skin will just indent instead of pricking. I use a little round cotton cosmetic pad wrapped over my finger behind the ear then just fold it over his ear afterwards to hold pressure for a few seconds sealing the hole.

HUGS!!! You can do this!!!
 
I strongly prefer the lancet free-hand. The pen definitely startled my cat, and I don't like that I can't adjust the depth or angle. I would not like to use a needle though, since I feel like my hand would be too far away from the ear to be steady enough. With the lancet in my hand I just make a slight rolling motion in and out of the ear with my hand resting on her to help hold her and so I know that I'm maintaining the same distance, even if she shifts a bit.
 
All the lancet pens I have seen allow you to adjust the depth.
Also, some lancet pens come with an optional cap made alternate site (other than fingertips) testing in humans. It is usually clear plastic. Many find using that cap make getting blood easier.
 
Thank all of you for your thoughts...I really appreciate it. One more bit of help please? Going shopping today for lancets/pen - I assume the ones we use are made for humans? (See how new I am?) Can I go with the least expensive brand or is there something else you'd advise? Terry and Daisy
 
Terry,
Didn't your arkray meter come with a lancet? If not, I use Walmart's ReliOn brand little blue one with the gray button. I've tried several but I like that one best....I would NOT suggest that you buy one with the barrel lancets as the refills are expensive. Get one that takes 'regular' twist-top lancets, you can buy those anywhere that carries diabetic supplies.

This is the one I use: http://www.walmart.com/ip/ReliOn-Lancing-Device/34129433

HUGS!!
 
I have always used the lancet device because it's consistent.
I realize that many just poke freehand but seriously, how consistent can you be freehand? You can't.

Be sure you have a lancet device on which you can dial a depth setting.
Dial to the most shallow, put your finger behnd the ear tip, rest the device against the ear, and release the lancet with the button.
if you get a drop of blood; great. if not, adjust to 1 setting deeper and try again.

Cats do like consistency, no surprises, so knowing exactly how the poke will feel, every single time, is very important. If the cat never knows if it will hurt this time or not, you may not have a cat who is fine with testing.

you can try freehand, but I believe the device is more friendly

Gayle
 
I have always preferred to use the lancet free hand. Then I can accurately poke where I need to. My cats never liked the sound of the device either.
 
I swear by the Accu-Chek FastClix. It is easy-to-use and has only one step: click the top. The clicking sound is the same as a clicky-pen, so unless your cat is really sensitive to noises, it shouldn't be a problem. Otherwise, you can de-sensitize them by clicking it near their ear as you give them treats. :lol:
 
I find that if I roll my wrist of the habd holding the lancet, I get fairly good control.

I also snuggle Gracie under my left arm, against my body, while I'm testing. She thinks she's getting extra cuddles, so she's pretty good about being still.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top