Jack the Cat, and the Lancet of Doom...

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Natalie

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So the vet and I agreed today that I would test at home. Jack never tests well at the vet and my finances are a mess right now, so it's a win all around. If I could get a blood sample, that is. I've read some of the articles and watched the videos. I've tried both ears and a paw. The hot compress helps - I get some blood, but still not enough for a sample. I'm using the TrueGo, which I know isn't the best, but it's all I've got right now.

At this point we're both so stressed I'm not sure that I'll get an accurate reading from him regardless. If you have a stressed cat, how long is it before they de-stress enough to have an accurate (non-stressed) bg? Should I even bother with the rest of the day? I've been poking him off and on for the last 3 hours.
 
The more you poke, the more the ear is encouraged to make capillaries :) So you're not poking in vain! Just make sure you compress the ear with a paper towel or something for 10-15 sec to stop it from bruising so much. Poke 3 times, and if you don't get enough blood, give him a treat and try again later. You'll get the hang of it. Rub the ear towards the poke to help the blood bead up.
 
If you absolutely have to, aim for the vein.
Be prepared to blot it immediately after getting your sample, because there will be a big droplet and many cats will shake their heads or flick their ears, sending the blood flying.
 
BJM said:
If you absolutely have to, aim for the vein.
Be prepared to blot it immediately after getting your sample, because there will be a big droplet and many cats will shake their heads or flick their ears, sending the blood flying.
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Curt did that to me!!!
 
ThomasCat said:
BJM said:
If you absolutely have to, aim for the vein.
Be prepared to blot it immediately after getting your sample, because there will be a big droplet and many cats will shake their heads or flick their ears, sending the blood flying.
Click to expand...



Curt did that to me!!!
Click to expand...

Casey's done that to me too! My kitchen floor looked like Sweeney Todd's Tonsorial Parlor...
 
It took me quite awhile to start getting blood at all, and then I spent ages only getting a test after much pokedy poke poking about. Akbah got more tolerant once bits of meat became involved as treats.
Be determined (but yes, have breaks). It will come, really.
 
I would probably wait an hour between tries so you can both calm down and relax. If you are stressed when you're trying
Jack will know and it will make him stress. Be sure you have some nice cuddle time during the wait with no poking involved and do make sure you give a low carb treat each time you try, even if you're not successful.

If you are going to try the paw I believe you need a thicker needle than what you'd use for an ear poke, i.e. one with a smaller number
 
BJM said:
If you absolutely have to, aim for the vein.
Be prepared to blot it immediately after getting your sample, because there will be a big droplet and many cats will shake their heads or flick their ears, sending the blood flying.
Click to expand...

My cats have done it also. My walls looked like a scene from CSI.

Also, massaging the ears help get the blood to flow also. I don't know how much blood your meter requires, but if you need an inexpensive meter that takes less blood, I recommend either the Walmart Relion Confirm or Micro. They both need only a tiny drop of blood. The meter is about $9 and strips are about $36 for 100.
 
Lisa and Witn (GA) said:
BJM said:
I recommend either the Walmart Relion Confirm or Micro. They both need only a tiny drop of blood. The meter is about $9 and strips are about $36 for 100.
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Click to expand...

I have the Relion Ultima - is there any difference between that one and the ones you mentioned, in terms of accuracy?
 
For me it's "show no fear and be no non-sense".

I notice if I'm straightforward and determined to get done with the ear poke Cini will stay still longer. If I smoochie smooch up to him while I'm trying to do it then he starts to want to play.

It's all about the approach.

The other suggestions above are good to - try to warm the ear or massage gently before poking, use a larger gauge needle (if you can afford to buy more), two small drops of blood from two pokes side by side still equal 1 good drop of blood, give treats after (or snuggles) even if you're not successful.
 
My vet was hesitant when I first suggested it but I went and got one anyway. So I should be doing good once I get a few day curves down. Will be going to get a W_M Relion this weekend to have a back up and the strips are cheaper.

Sneakers does flick the ear- the top of my freezer has spots on it so it gets cleaned daily (Plus that is her food area, shot area, general cuddle area...) :-D . She doesn't much like the poke but she LOVES the cheese treat that comes after and will come get me when she feels that she needs her cheese- she knows it is after feeding time.

I tried the lancet that came with my Trueread meter (do not recommend)- is a joke. Even at 5 the needle doesn't come above the holder and it is a hair trigger so I do mine by hand.
 
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