No Blood from ear

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Jerry Allen

Jerry Allen

Member Since 2017
Trying to start home testing and bought all the stuff recommended.. have 28 gauge lancer and watched a video here on how to draw blood..poked Cooper now 5 times and not a drop of blood! .. Did the warming of the ear and thought I am using the "sweet spot just off the edge of his ear... One post talked about hitting a capillary, but how you aim that good with the big lancer head is beyond me.. Actually, my focus is not that good, so I really don't see any capillaris.

Any advice would be appreciated..
 
Yay you are trying!!! First step in keeping your furbaby safe. Be patient with yourself. I promise it gets better and with practice you will be a pro in no time!! Hitting the vein will hurt kitty. Sometimes, I have to poke Phoebe lower on the ear. Be positive, kitty can feel your frustration. Deep breaths. Hmmm a song, recite a story, have positive "I'm gonna do this". Big hugs. It dies get better. Took me a couple weeks to get it close to right. Get some neasporin with pain relief for the ears. It helps heal and will help blood bead on the ear instead of just flowing into fur.
 
Jerry, would it be easier for you if you ditched the lancet device? I just hold the lancet in my fingers and poke with it. Less bulk to deal with, and I have more control over my poke. Have you tried both ears? It is really odd, but Mia has one ear that bleeds SO much better than the other. That other ear I can sometimes poke multiple times and get nothing. Also, be aware that after you do it awhile, they do start to bleed easier.
 
As you keep trying the ears do "learn" to bleed so it does get easier. Also for whatever reason by Beenie's left ear bleeds WAY better than her right. I'm not the only one this happens to. So alternate ears and see if one is easier than the other. You'll get there:bighug:
 
Yes that is an Owl, but the hat is Cooper's color, so thought that might count ;) ..After watching about 5 more videos on blood sampling, I finally got a good blood draw and then somehow screwed up testing stick and got a E-6 error on meter... Did another poke using new testing strip and success.. What I did different is rub the ear edge with neosporin and poke him much closer to the outer ear edge.. He has a reading of 334, so now I plan on another test just before PM feeding and shot..

Thanks for the replies and support :bighug:
 
Jerry Allen said:
Yes that is an Owl, but the hat is Cooper's color, so thought that might count ;) ..After watching about 5 more videos on blood sampling, I finally got a good blood draw and then somehow screwed up testing stick and got a E-6 error on meter... Did another poke using new testing strip and success.. What I did different is rub the ear edge with neosporin and poke him much closer to the outer ear edge.. He has a reading of 334, so now I plan on another test just before PM feeding and shot..

Thanks for the replies and support :bighug:
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Well done!!
 
FurBabiesMama said:
Jerry, would it be easier for you if you ditched the lancet device? I just hold the lancet in my fingers and poke with it. Less bulk to deal with, and I have more control over my poke. Have you tried both ears? It is really odd, but Mia has one ear that bleeds SO much better than the other. That other ear I can sometimes poke multiple times and get nothing. Also, be aware that after you do it awhile, they do start to bleed easier.
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Have not tried the other ear, but will do so with morning test...Tried to lance with hand, but could never get a good stick..was afraid I would go through ear or stick myself in the process.. He moves a lot and I have the neosporin on ear and fingers..just all thumbs:( ...assume I will find a way that woulds best with time... Thanks for your advise and I am so glad I found this helpful group as was about to give up.
 
Use a cotton ball or cotton square to put on the underside of ear to keep from poking yourself. I have sometimes gone thru her ear. It's not the goal but it does happen. How is furbaby thru all this?
 
I use cotton rounds that I find in the health and beauty section of Walmart (by the nail polish and such). They are the perfect thickness so that if the lancet goes through the ear or if I miss, I don't draw my own blood. I also like the size because once I'm done with the poke, I just fold the other half of it over Lou's ear with my thumb and hold to stop the bleeding. Easy peasy!

Go easy on yourself. It can be a frustrating process with ups and downs, but it does get easier and you'll feel more confident with your actions during the process. :cool:
 
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