Newbie: 5/08/23: BG test errors

[Angie & Celia (Cruz)]

Went to test BG +2 tonight & first got an error msg on meter so probably not enough blood, then tried again & was more than sufficient blood but yet got no response from 2 ReliOn Premier Classic meters I stuck the strip in. Don't want to stick her again right now because she was already resisting me by the 2nd attempt. Maybe it was the blood consistency or something? Just wonder why that was because if this keeps happening in the future, I'm in trouble.

Update: Waited a bit because really wanted to know her numbers after her 2nd ever shot & finally meter worked with no glitches. Her lowest number ever: 191 and she's acting very content. That has happened before with meter not reading a good quantity of blood so I'm still wondering if it was the blood consistency because that was a new meter I just bought 2d ago & even tested with control solution.

 

[Larry and Kitties]

first got an error msg on meter so probably not enough blood,

What message was displayed on the meter?

hen tried again & was more than sufficient blood but yet got no response from 2 ReliOn Premier Classic meters I stuck the strip in.

When you stick the strip in do you see the horizontal stip with the blood drop on the end indicating that the strip and meter are ready to accept blood?
Are you using petroleum jelly to coat the ear prior to the stick? I have found out that if you use too much you can stick the sucking end of the strip in excess and it will clog the end preventing blood from going into the strip.

 

[Angie & Celia (Cruz)]

Thanks. No, have never heard of using petroleum jelly. Should I? I hadn't used anything because had read it could contaminate the sample, like alcohol for example. I only dab Neosporin w/pain reliever in it to the wound, but that's afterwards. No problems with meter since then, but starting to wonder if this is what I have to intermittently expect from ReliOn meters (even though I do know they're one of the most used meters).

 

[Chrispooky12]

Thanks. No, have never heard of using petroleum jelly. Should I? I hadn't used anything because had read it could contaminate the sample, like alcohol for example. I only dab Neosporin w/pain reliever in it to the wound, but that's afterwards. No problems with meter since then, but starting to wonder if this is what I have to intermittently expect from ReliOn meters (even though I do know they're one of the most used meters).

Neosporin is deadly. I'm going to tag @Diane Tyler's Mom & see if she can find the post about it on here. Pure coconut oil is good for sore ears. After warming my boys ear with a warm wet wrung out paper towel I put a dab of Vaseline on his ear & then I freehand poke his ear to get blood.

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

There is new information that one of the ingredients in it is not good for cats. Check out this post:
One of the antibiotics in Neosporin (with or without pain relief) is polymixin. If ingested in sufficient quantity, it can cause a severe allergic reaction -- an anaphylactic reaction.
The bottom line: Neosporin is NOT recommended for use with cats.
Get pure coconut oil
I have read that many members use pure coconut oil, I have copied this from one of the members posts
just make sure the only ingredient is coconut oil (mine is solid at room temp and I would take an itty bitty dab and rub on his ears)
It seemed to help with the healing
You might be able to get it at a health food store or just Google pure coconut oil

 

[Angie & Celia (Cruz)]

Thanks for letting me know. Never heard of that and I've had cats since 1978. Guess I figured if it was good enough for ppl's infections & cuts... Actually that & peroxide have been my go-to's for my TNVR cat wounds for decades because didn't know of anything else to prevent infection & help heal than what we use. But will definitely try your suggestion instead as long as it helps prevent infection, that's what I worry most about.