How fast does stress affect BC numbers?

[Judy and Freckles]

I'm going to preface this with - it took a vet and 2 technicians to do the first BG curve. They said I would need at least 2 people to test blood, but so far I've been able to do it myself... not very efficiently mind you, but it's getting done.

Sometimes I'm not very successful in getting a good blood droplet from the ear when testing. Freckles might shake her head, sometimes I miss the mark, sometimes the glucometer times out, sometimes the lancing device separates and I have to push it back together, sometimes I can't draw up the blood droplet because Freckles squirms, and sometimes there isn't enough blood, so I have to lance again.

Often Freckles gets quite irate with having to get poked again, or having her ear 'milked'. I understand the rule of "3 tries and try again in 15 minutes" but I'm wondering if her getting ticked off at me is affecting her BG reading? How fast does stress affect BC numbers?

Thanks!

 

[Idjit's mom]

Judy, I can't tell you how fast stress affects the BG, but I have some suggestions that might help with the testing.

You might try just using the little lancet freehand..not the lancing device, see how that goes. Our lancet fell apart the first time we tried to test, and I tossed the darned thing..never looked back. The lancet actually has a bevel and if you freehand the lancet you can try to be sure that the bevel is facing up..that way the sharpest point goes into the flesh, which pierces faster with less sensation.

You could also try to get the blood drop on a clean fingernail and not have to worry about Freckles shaking her head or squirming away from the meter/strip. Be sure to warm the ear well, with a rice sock or a little pill bottle with warm water in it. I rub the warm rice sock all over Idjit's face and chin, both ears, then concentrate on the ear I'm going to poke.

Testing is a process of patience and practice, and you are still working on that process. Give yourself a pat on the back for doing well at this point. Try giving Freckles a treat before you begin and let her concentrate on that for hopefully a minute! Then she gets a treat after too, and that's a double bonus.

Don't forget to treat yourself now and then, you are working very hard here.

 

[Judy and Freckles]

Judy, I can't tell you how fast stress affects the BG, but I have some suggestions that might help with the testing.

You might try just using the little lancet freehand..not the lancing device, see how that goes. Our lancet fell apart the first time we tried to test, and I tossed the darned thing..never looked back. The lancet actually has a bevel and if you freehand the lancet you can try to be sure that the bevel is facing up..that way the sharpest point goes into the flesh, which pierces faster with less sensation.

You could also try to get the blood drop on a clean fingernail and not have to worry about Freckles shaking her head or squirming away from the meter/strip. Be sure to warm the ear well, with a rice sock or a little pill bottle with warm water in it. I rub the warm rice sock all over Idjit's face and chin, both ears, then concentrate on the ear I'm going to poke.

Testing is a process of patience and practice, and you are still working on that process. Give yourself a pat on the back for doing well at this point. Try giving Freckles a treat before you begin and let her concentrate on that for hopefully a minute! Then she gets a treat after too, and that's a double bonus.

Don't forget to treat yourself now and then, you are working very hard here.

Thanks for the tips. My concern with freehand lancing is going right through the ear. Any tips on preventing this? Freckles is part snake I'm sure!

 

[Idjit's mom]

I aim the lancet at a 45 degree angle, not straight on. I have rarely pierced through the ear to the other side doing this. Sometimes I do have to milk the ear from the bottom to the poke to get that drop. When I use a thin smear of vaseline on the ear before the poke, the blood really does bead up better, otherwise it just spreads into the fur.

We aren't always successful either, so don't beat yourself up over this.

 

[SarahTitus]

When I use a thin smear of vaseline on the ear before the poke, the blood really does bead up better, otherwise it just spreads into the fur.

Does Vaseline impact the reading at all?

 

[Idjit's mom]

Does Vaseline impact the reading at all?

No, not at all and it really does help that blood drop bead up. I didn't use it the last time we tested..blood just soaked away..so I had to test the other ear. Idjit was not happy with me..and got an extra treat for compensation.

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

My concern with freehand lancing is going right through the ear. Any tips on preventing this?

I pierced China's ears so many times at first that I joked about buying her a pair of diamond stud earrings. Don't beat yourself up over it....you'll get better and Freckles' ears will heal!

 

[Judy and Freckles]

I aim the lancet at a 45 degree angle, not straight on. I have rarely pierced through the ear to the other side doing this. Sometimes I do have to milk the ear from the bottom to the poke to get that drop. When I use a thin smear of vaseline on the ear before the poke, the blood really does bead up better, otherwise it just spreads into the fur.

We aren't always successful either, so don't beat yourself up over this.

Ok... will try free hand during the final test for the night tonight. Wish me luck! lol Thanks again for the tips!

 

[Idjit's mom]

Judy, I don't know if you ever were provided with some really great tips about testing, and sorry if you have read them before. Member Chris & China (GA) has shared them and I put them in my files because they are so good!

Here's something I wrote up for others for testing...maybe it'll help you too!

It can be really helpful to establish a routine with testing. Pick one spot that you want your "testing spot" to be (I like the kitchen counter because it's got good light and it's at a good height....it also already blocked 2 escape routes due to the wall and the backsplash) It can be anywhere though...a rug on the floor, a table, a particular spot on the couch...wherever is good for you.

Take him there as many times a day as you can and just give his ears a quick rub and then he gets a yummy (low carb) treat. Most cats aren't objecting so much with the poking..it's the fooling with their ears they don't like, but once they're desensitized to it and learn to associate a certain place with the treats, they usually start to come when they're called! Or even when they hear us opening the test kit!

You also have to remember...you're not poking him to hurt him...you're testing him to keep him safe and understand what's going on inside his body. There's just nothing better than truly understanding what's going on inside your kitty's body and with this disease, the more knowledge you have, the more power you have against it. The edges of the ears have very few pain receptors, so it really doesn't hurt them. Also, if you're nervous and tense, it's going to make your kitty nervous and tense too. As silly as it might seem, try singing! It forces you to use a different part of your brain!

It's also important to make sure his ear is warm. A small sock filled with a little rice and microwaved or a small pill bottle filled with warm water (check temp against your wrist like you would a baby bottle) works well

For new kitties, using a heavier gauge lancet is also really helpful. A 25-28 gauge lancet pokes a bigger "hole" than a 31-33 gauge lancet does, so look for "Alternate Site testing" lancets that are usually a lower number

Finding the right "treat" will be a great help too! Freeze dried chicken, bonito flakes, little pieces of baked chicken...whatever low carb treat you can find that he really enjoys will help him to associate the testing with the treat! China's Achilles heel was baked chicken, so I'd bake a piece, chop it into bite sized pieces, put some in the refrigerator and freeze the rest to use as needed. It didn't take long for her to come any time I picked up the meter!

 

[Judy and Freckles]

Judy, I don't know if you ever were provided with some really great tips about testing, and sorry if you have read them before. Member Chris & China (GA) has shared them and I put them in my files because they are so good!

Here's something I wrote up for others for testing...maybe it'll help you too!

It can be really helpful to establish a routine with testing. Pick one spot that you want your "testing spot" to be (I like the kitchen counter because it's got good light and it's at a good height....it also already blocked 2 escape routes due to the wall and the backsplash) It can be anywhere though...a rug on the floor, a table, a particular spot on the couch...wherever is good for you.

Take him there as many times a day as you can and just give his ears a quick rub and then he gets a yummy (low carb) treat. Most cats aren't objecting so much with the poking..it's the fooling with their ears they don't like, but once they're desensitized to it and learn to associate a certain place with the treats, they usually start to come when they're called! Or even when they hear us opening the test kit!

You also have to remember...you're not poking him to hurt him...you're testing him to keep him safe and understand what's going on inside his body. There's just nothing better than truly understanding what's going on inside your kitty's body and with this disease, the more knowledge you have, the more power you have against it. The edges of the ears have very few pain receptors, so it really doesn't hurt them. Also, if you're nervous and tense, it's going to make your kitty nervous and tense too. As silly as it might seem, try singing! It forces you to use a different part of your brain!

It's also important to make sure his ear is warm. A small sock filled with a little rice and microwaved or a small pill bottle filled with warm water (check temp against your wrist like you would a baby bottle) works well

For new kitties, using a heavier gauge lancet is also really helpful. A 25-28 gauge lancet pokes a bigger "hole" than a 31-33 gauge lancet does, so look for "Alternate Site testing" lancets that are usually a lower number

Finding the right "treat" will be a great help too! Freeze dried chicken, bonito flakes, little pieces of baked chicken...whatever low carb treat you can find that he really enjoys will help him to associate the testing with the treat! China's Achilles heel was baked chicken, so I'd bake a piece, chop it into bite sized pieces, put some in the refrigerator and freeze the rest to use as needed. It didn't take long for her to come any time I picked up the meter!

 

[Judy and Freckles]

Thank you... I was looking at Chris and China's posts (see as they are newbies too) and stumbled upon this same message you gave them. Lots of good information there for sure. Tons more that I got at the vets!! lol

 

[Judy and Freckles]

What does (GA) mean?

 

[Idjit's mom]

Thank you... I was looking at Chris and China's posts (see as they are newbies too) and stumbled upon this same message you gave them. Lots of good information there for sure. Tons more that I got at the vets!! lol

Yes, me too. My vet did tell me about testing, but only to test a couple of times a week mid-day. And, she advised one unit once a day. So, I learned better here, and when Idjit had a low BG when I just happened to test..members helped me intervene and bring it up. The information, advice and support I got here is the reason Idjit is safe and in remission today.

 

[Idjit's mom]

What does (GA) mean?

GA is Gone Ahead or Guardian Angel. It's a designation for a kitty that has passed on, or crossed the Rainbow Bridge we call it here. Chris has been a member for a long time and is very knowledgeable and experienced. Also a very nice person.

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

What does (GA) mean?

Gone Ahead or Guardian Angel....it's what we use when one of our pets has passed.

I lost China on Christmas Eve morning of what the vet believes was cancer.

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

I was looking at Chris and China's posts (see as they are newbies too)

If you check out China's spreadsheet in my signature, you'll see I've been around for awhile. I hope you and Freckles get the same great results I got with China and every day I had with her after she was diagnosed I thanked the people here for.

The vet that diagnosed her told me "insulin is a hassle...just feed her this dry W/D and she may live another 4 months but she'll go blind first...are you sure you don't want to just put her down today"?

Thanks to the people here, I had another 5 1/2+ years of love before she passed.

 

[Judy and Freckles]

Thank you... I was looking at Chris and China's posts (see as they are newbies too) and stumbled upon this same message you gave them. Lots of good information there for sure. Tons more that I got at the vets!! lol

GA is Gone Ahead or Guardian Angel. It's a designation for a kitty that has passed on, or crossed the Rainbow Bridge we call it here. Chris has been a member for a long time and is very knowledgeable and experienced. Also a very nice person.

Sorry... it was Sarah and Titus that are newbies as well. That is where I saw Lou's information before.

Gone Ahead or Guardian Angel....it's what we use when one of our pets has passed.

I lost China on Christmas Eve morning of what the vet believes was cancer.

Awwww. So sorry to hear this. Losing a pet can be so devastating. Those darn furballs weasel their way into our hearts all the time!!

 

[Judy and Freckles]

If you check out China's spreadsheet in my signature, you'll see I've been around for awhile. I hope you and Freckles get the same great results I got with China and every day I had with her after she was diagnosed I thanked the people here for.

The vet that diagnosed her told me "insulin is a hassle...just feed her this dry W/D and she may live another 4 months but she'll go blind first...are you sure you don't want to just put her down today"?

Thanks to the people here, I had another 5 1/2+ years of love before she passed.

OMG - that vet needs to work on a few things! I love her name "China White"!

 

[SarahTitus]

If you check out China's spreadsheet in my signature, you'll see I've been around for awhile. I hope you and Freckles get the same great results I got with China and every day I had with her after she was diagnosed I thanked the people here for.

The vet that diagnosed her told me "insulin is a hassle...just feed her this dry W/D and she may live another 4 months but she'll go blind first...are you sure you don't want to just put her down today"?

Thanks to the people here, I had another 5 1/2+ years of love before she passed.

That breaks my heart you got that response from the vet. My aunt called the day after I got Titus’ Dx to say they would understand if I wanted to put him down! I was flabbergasted. He’s healthy otherwise, I’m not going to kill him because it’s going to be inconvenient to take care of him. People can be so clueless and heartless. I’m so glad you got those extra years!