Martha New Day

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Hosanna

Hosanna

Member Since 2012
this morning: 126 - yesterday in the 200's. Just don't understand it. Did she clear a bounce?
 
I am doing good at this point to get two tests a day because I am unable to get a blood drop. I've done this for awhile so why am I having this problem? I sometimes stick her ear 7-8 times and she finally has had enough. I know about warming the ear and rubbing it, and know about sweet spots, but I just can't get enough blood to do a test.
 
What about "milking" the blood drop (start from below the drop and gently push up towards the top of the ear) or doing a quick double-poke in the same spot? Maybe try the other ear? Mikey has always bled better out of his right so I do most of my testing on that ear.
 
I do those things. There's usually not enough to "milk." Her right ear seems super sensitive so I can't do that ear as often as her left ear. I have also double poked. I've never seen anything like this. I must be doing something wrong, but my poor cat is getting butchered with each test!
 
It happens. I usually try and switch spots a little when it does. But usually end up back in the same spot after a few days and it works again. Sometimes I think its a little swelling. Are you applying neosporin afterward, sometimes even before can help.
 
I had that problem with Izzy in the beginning be sure I started with the smallest lancets the king it would be less painful full. Lol would be if I did the have to poke her 1/2 dozen times :-). Once I went to a larger lancet I was able to get blood. Eventually her ears cooperated well enough I was able to go back to the smaller sized lancet.

Neosporin helped a to sooth the pain as well.
 
Since I only test Wink once a week, I'm using the larger 28 gauge lancets to poke with. These larger lancets are often labeled "For Alternate Site Testing" on the box.

I think it's much harder in colder weather to get the ear warm and a blood drop to form. At least it is for me.

Make sure your hands are warm enough before you touch your cats ear. My hands get really cold in the winter so I have to warm my hands first before I even start the testing process.

If your cat is dehydrated, that could make the blood flow slower and make it harder to get a drop to test.

Put a tiny dab of Vaseline on the ear before you poke, wiping off any excess. This can help the blood drop to form more easily. It kind of makes it bead up.

Try paw pad testing. Some people find this easier than ear testing to get blood. Depends on if your cat likes their paws touched.
 
Can't get blood

I had not thought about my hands being cold. I'll check that out next time.
I am using 26 G lancets.
 
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