Mistakes using Lancet

[Ale & Bobo & Minnie (GA)]

Just when I start feeling I’m a pro at this, the universe laughs and says think again!
For the last few days mainly yesterday and today, I started having issues using the lancet on Minnie. I’m doing it by myself, no other option, and she’s pretty chill for the most part and puts up with it but sometimes she will meow and move her head as I’m piercing the ear and the movement causes it to be less of a puncture and more of a scratch. I feel awful because she ends up with a cut like scratch going towards the outer ear, but the worse part is that sometimes I can’t draw enough blood so I have to do it again and this morning I felt like her little ear got pretty banged up. I’m using a cotton ball to apply pressure behind the ear but maybe I should use something bigger like a washcloth? I appreciate any suggestions or tips. I did apply a ton of Neosporin to the spot and it usually heals in a day.

Thanks!

 

[jt and trouble (GA)]

Have you tried warming a toe full of rice in a sock in your microwave? That will bring more blood to the surface.

pour rice in sock, tie off, cut off the remainder of sock, warm in microwave a few seconds

 

[Ale & Bobo & Minnie (GA)]

Have you tried warming a toe full of rice in a sock in your microwave? That will bring more blood to the surface.

pour rice in sock, tie off, cut off the remainder of sock, warm in microwave a few seconds

Oh yes I’ve been doing that since I started testing and I noticed right away how much easier it was to get a good droplet out. I use orzo in a sock. It’s the Italian version

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

I know you're trying and that's great! You will get it!!

But it sounds like you're being a little tentative about doing the "poke"....get in there, poke fast and get out.....if you try to do it "slowly", that's when you end up scratching the ear.

Also, right now it's hard to believe, but you will get it down to a science....See that pretty pure white kitty over there on the left? She was poked over 16,000 times....can you see any damage to her ears?

 

[Deb & Wink]

I’m doing it by myself, no other option, and she’s pretty chill for the most part and puts up with it but sometimes she will meow and move her head as I’m piercing the ear and the movement causes it to be less of a puncture and more of a scratch.

Hold her ear a bit more firmly, so she can't tug the ear out of your hand as you are poking the ear.

 

[Ale & Bobo & Minnie (GA)]

Hold her ear a bit more firmly, so she can't tug the ear out of your hand as you are poking the ear.

I’ll try that thanks!

 

[Ale & Bobo & Minnie (GA)]

I know you're trying and that's great! You will get it!!

But it sounds like you're being a little tentative about doing the "poke"....get in there, poke fast and get out.....if you try to do it "slowly", that's when you end up scratching the ear.

Also, right now it's hard to believe, but you will get it down to a science....See that pretty pure white kitty over there on the left? She was poked over 16,000 times....can you see any damage to her ears?

Thank you!! I feel like I had it and then now that I’m testing her more times daily I’ve become a little gun shy, like I’m afraid I’m going to hurt her so I hurt her urghhh... Or developed cold feet. I think I’m foreseeing she’s going to pull away and then of course she does. Deep breaths and thank you

 

[Becky & Baby Girl GA]

I had a very difficult time at first. I massaged the ear for as long as she would let me, & then again used the rice sack to push up from the bottom of the ear to the tip. That seemed to help a lot. You will be a pro with more practice & good luck

 

[Ale & Bobo & Minnie (GA)]

I had a very difficult time at first. I massaged the ear for as long as she would let me, & then again used the rice sack to push up from the bottom of the ear to the tip. That seemed to help a lot. You will be a pro with more practice & good luck

Thank you guys for the encouragement. I just did her midday test and it went perfectly. I grabbed a huge piece of cotton as opposed to the cotton ball and pressed firmly against the back of the ear and sang the song and did it fast and voila, it worked! Of course the fact she was half asleep and didn’t fight it all helped but maybe doing it fast also didn’t give her time to react. Anyway, she’s been almost at identical numbers the last 3 days which is also a victory for me. I think the new dose of 3.5 may be a winner. And more good news, the Pepcid seems to be working too because it’s been 6 days of no morning nausea

PS - I discovered the emojis, god help us all haha!

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

Thank you guys for the encouragement. I just did her midday test and it went perfectly. I grabbed a huge piece of cotton as opposed to the cotton ball and pressed firmly against the back of the ear and sang the song and did it fast and voila, it worked! Of course the fact she was half asleep and didn’t fight it all helped but maybe doing it fast also didn’t give her time to react. Anyway, she’s been almost at identical numbers the last 3 days which is also a victory for me. I think the new dose of 3.5 may be a winner. And more good news, the Pepcid seems to be working too because it’s been 6 days of no morning nausea

PS - I discover the emojis, god help us all haha!

Hi Alessandra Minnie is looking good on the new dose, is there any reason you aren't testing through the night cycle, Glad the pepcid is working so far

 

[jt and trouble (GA)]

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeee knew you could do it! yay
TREATS FOR EVERYONE!

 

[Ale & Bobo & Minnie (GA)]

Hi Alessandra Minnie is looking good on the new dose, is there any reason you aren't testing through the night cycle, Glad the pepcid is working so far

yes, I’m working my way up to it. They have a very set night routing so I’m trying to figure out how to wake up to test her without Bobo waking up and then both wanting food and to go out. If my alarm goes off, they’ll be like okay great another day!!! I don’t let them out at night even though I cat fenced my backyard. I’m trying to get comfortable with testing 3 times a day before I have to add more 2 tests at night...

 

[Deb & Wink]

Baby steps, Alessandra, baby steps.

You're learning.
Not doing this so much anymore.
Please don't worry too much about testing at night right now. You wouldn't want the to keep you wide awake.

I think the new dose of 3.5 may be a winner.

Yeah!!!

And more good news, the Pepcid seems to be working too because it’s been 6 days of no morning nausea

Double yeah!! on the pepcid making a difference in the vomiting/nausea in the AM.

Just don't use the rainbow, or angel wings emoji's, or we'll think that your cat Minnie has died.

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

yes, I’m working my way up to it. They have a very set night routing so I’m trying to figure out how to wake up to test her without Bobo waking up and then both wanting food and to go out. If my alarm goes off, they’ll be like okay great another day!!! I don’t let them out at night even though I cat fenced my backyard. I’m trying to get comfortable with testing 3 times a day before I have to add more 2 tests at night...

I hear ya, I also have 2 cats and they both bug me for food at night, or I should say
at 2am. You are doing a great job

 

[Ale & Bobo & Minnie (GA)]

Thank you Deb

Baby steps, Alessandra, baby steps.

You're learning.
Not doing this so much anymore.
Please don't worry too much about testing at night right now. You wouldn't want the to keep you wide awake.


Yeah!!!


Double yeah!! on the pepcid making a difference in the vomiting/nausea in the AM.

Just don't use the rainbow, or angel wings emoji's, or we'll think that your cat Minnie has died.

Oh no I won’t!!!

yes not doing so much of this you’re absolutely right. Thanks to all of you guys because it does take a village!!! And not feeling helpless like I depend on vets who we know know very little. I’ve been saying for weeks that I though she needed to be at 3.5 and the vet was like, well we don’t change dose unless behavior has changed. But now I have data to prove this is it and you know what they say, data is power. Or if they don’t say that they should and I’m going to start that trend ha!

And yes this would be an issue because I really do wish I could take catnaps all day

 

[Ale & Bobo & Minnie (GA)]

I hear ya, I also have 2 cats and they both bug me for food at night, or I should say
at 2am. You are doing a great job

I hear ya, I also have 2 cats and they both bug me for food at night, or I should say
at 2am. You are doing a great job

Wow mine wait till about 6-6:30, but I think mainly because they know they’ll be politely ignored until then

 

[Ale & Bobo & Minnie (GA)]

Just when I start feeling I’m a pro at this, the universe laughs and says think again!
For the last few days mainly yesterday and today, I started having issues using the lancet on Minnie. I’m doing it by myself, no other option, and she’s pretty chill for the most part and puts up with it but sometimes she will meow and move her head as I’m piercing the ear and the movement causes it to be less of a puncture and more of a scratch. I feel awful because she ends up with a cut like scratch going towards the outer ear, but the worse part is that sometimes I can’t draw enough blood so I have to do it again and this morning I felt like her little ear got pretty banged up. I’m using a cotton ball to apply pressure behind the ear but maybe I should use something bigger like a washcloth? I appreciate any suggestions or tips. I did apply a ton of Neosporin to the spot and it usually heals in a day.

Thanks!

Happy Sunday!! Success again this am, so again thank you all for the great tips

Let me know if the thread is getting too long, but I do have another lancet related question because I need to order more this week. Does is have to be the freestyle lite brand? I’m wondering because of course it makes sense the test strips have to be compatible with the meter, but does it really matter what brand the lancet is? I found a few more economical options like this one:

https://www.adwdiabetes.com/product/1207/advocate-glucose-lancets

Thanks!

 

[jt and trouble (GA)]

Thank you Deb


Oh no I won’t!!!

yes not doing so much of this you’re absolutely right. Thanks to all of you guys because it does take a village!!! And not feeling helpless like I depend on vets who we know know very little. I’ve been saying for weeks that I though she needed to be at 3.5 and the vet was like, well we don’t change dose unless behavior has changed. But now I have data to prove this is it and you know what they say, data is power. Or if they don’t say that they should and I’m going to start that trend ha!

And yes this would be an issue because I really do wish I could take catnaps all day

This post makes my heart soar!

 

[jt and trouble (GA)]

it doesnt matter what lancet you use. the thinner the better for little ears!

 

[jt and trouble (GA)]

Also I think the site likes to limit thread to around 50 posts. I think you are safe But remember if anything pops up its better to start a new one.

 

[Ale & Bobo & Minnie (GA)]

Also I think the site likes to limit thread to around 50 posts. I think you are safe But remember if anything pops up its better to start a new one.

Awesome!
Minnie says thanks and isn’t cardboard just the best thing since sliced bread?? Sunday morning vibes to all

 

[Judy and Freckles]

Minnie says thanks and isn’t cardboard just the best thing since sliced bread?

Oh yeah... I have a $$ worth of toys around the house that are ignored most of the time, but put out an empty cardboard box and like winning a lottery! lol

 

[jt and trouble (GA)]

a closed up box with a couple of holes (they can get in and out of) is MUNNEY!

 

[Noah & me (GA)]

Noah was a patient and trusting patient but had ears like parchment paper. He would sometimes flinch and I would shred his ear even though I've been doing this with two cats for years.
Don't worry about too much blood. A sample can be taken from inside the ear as well. Do what you need to do and apologize later.