Here is a recent update on my cat, "Oliver" he is doing great now!! he is back to his old self again. He has a good appetite, but will still need to watch him closely, he is off the insulin, (vet's orders for now) but if I see he is losing weight too rapidly, I will need to see what my vet wants to do next. I just sent for a home diabetes testing kit, hopefully I will be able to monitor him daily to see how he is progressing. Thanks to everyone for all the advice and caring words I have received, this website is a godsend!! I really thought we were going to lose him!! He had a bad case of insulin overdose. I will keep you updated on his progress.
Oliver is doing great!!
- Thread starter jlw1959
- Start date
- Status
jt and trouble (GA)
Member Since 2009
This is good news. PLEASE keep us updated. I am happy for you and Oliver.
jeanne
jeanne
Tara & Buster
Member Since 2012
Way to go Oliver! That is good news, indeed! :thumbup
Hillary & Maui (GA)
Member Since 2009
Check to see if the meter needs to be coded or not. If it does, set up the meter to match the code on the container of strips.
Did your meter come with instructions?
Do you want to poke with the device or free handed?
What size lancets (pokey things) did you receive?
When starting out, you may want to use lancets with a lower gauge number - such as 28 or below. Lancets that are 29, 30 or 31 gauge - are very thin needles and may make it harder to get blood from.
So, check the size and if necessary, go to the store and pick up a lower number. If you plan to free hand, you can buy any brand, it won't matter. But if you use the device, you will need ones that fit the device you have.
Next, make a warming sock - take any sock, add about 1/4 cup of regular dried rice, oatmeal or dried beans. Knot the top, so the stuff doesn't fall out. Place in microwave for 15-30 seconds until warm to touch.
Then hold sock behind cat's ear to warm it up and get blood flowing. You may want to keep it there to act as a buffer, when you poke, so you don't poke your finger by accident.
Also, have petroleum jelly handy - if you put a little on the cat's ear, this will help the blood bead up and make it easier to sip the blood onto the strip.
Now you want to aim for the sweet spot, which is the area between the vein and edge of ear.
If you free hand, hold the lancet at an upward 45 degree angle and poke that way.
I found that it works better than piercing or going straight into the ear.
If your cat has dark ears, use a flashlight, like a spotlight to help you see better.
Be sure to have his favorite treats ready, so he learns to associate poking with treats and will eventually come when called, or hears the treat bag.
If you have neosporin, you may want to rub that onto ear after poking to reduce bruising.
Remember to stay calm and breathe. The calmer you are, the calmer Oliver will be.
and if at first you don't succeed, keep trying. Don't give up.
Did your meter come with instructions?
Do you want to poke with the device or free handed?
What size lancets (pokey things) did you receive?
When starting out, you may want to use lancets with a lower gauge number - such as 28 or below. Lancets that are 29, 30 or 31 gauge - are very thin needles and may make it harder to get blood from.
So, check the size and if necessary, go to the store and pick up a lower number. If you plan to free hand, you can buy any brand, it won't matter. But if you use the device, you will need ones that fit the device you have.
Next, make a warming sock - take any sock, add about 1/4 cup of regular dried rice, oatmeal or dried beans. Knot the top, so the stuff doesn't fall out. Place in microwave for 15-30 seconds until warm to touch.
Then hold sock behind cat's ear to warm it up and get blood flowing. You may want to keep it there to act as a buffer, when you poke, so you don't poke your finger by accident.
Also, have petroleum jelly handy - if you put a little on the cat's ear, this will help the blood bead up and make it easier to sip the blood onto the strip.
Now you want to aim for the sweet spot, which is the area between the vein and edge of ear.
If you free hand, hold the lancet at an upward 45 degree angle and poke that way.
I found that it works better than piercing or going straight into the ear.
If your cat has dark ears, use a flashlight, like a spotlight to help you see better.
Be sure to have his favorite treats ready, so he learns to associate poking with treats and will eventually come when called, or hears the treat bag.
If you have neosporin, you may want to rub that onto ear after poking to reduce bruising.
Remember to stay calm and breathe. The calmer you are, the calmer Oliver will be.
and if at first you don't succeed, keep trying. Don't give up.
Elizabeth and Bertie
Member Since 2010
That's great news about Oliver! You must be SO relieved... dancing_cat
Here is more info about how to hometest. I learned how to do it from this link:
http://www.sugarpet.net/bloodtst.html
Here is more info about how to hometest. I learned how to do it from this link:
http://www.sugarpet.net/bloodtst.html
The meter came with instructions, and I have figured out how to use it, I just don't know how to use the injection pen, it has a spring-load on it, and I don't know what the numbers mean on it. The numbers are 1-4. The needles I received are blue, but I have another package that has differant colors and sizes. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!
Hillary & Maui (GA)
Member Since 2009
What brand meter did you get and brand of lancets and device.
Yes, the lancet device typically is springloaded. I could never figure out how to get it to work properly so I just free hand instead. The number 1-4 represent how deep the penetration of the poke will be. From what others have said, it typically needs to be on the deepest setting in order to get it to work on the cat's ear. Some have found that by removing the cap, it also makes it easier to use.
Some cats don't like the clicking sound the device makes.
Here's the thing, you don't have to use the device. You can just use the lancets without the device and may find that it is easier to handle that way.
If you can tell us the brand of device and meter, I'm sure there are people here who use it and can help.
Yes, the lancet device typically is springloaded. I could never figure out how to get it to work properly so I just free hand instead. The number 1-4 represent how deep the penetration of the poke will be. From what others have said, it typically needs to be on the deepest setting in order to get it to work on the cat's ear. Some have found that by removing the cap, it also makes it easier to use.
Some cats don't like the clicking sound the device makes.
Here's the thing, you don't have to use the device. You can just use the lancets without the device and may find that it is easier to handle that way.
If you can tell us the brand of device and meter, I'm sure there are people here who use it and can help.
Hillary & Maui (GA)
Member Since 2009
OK, it's probably a freestyle lancet that fit with the device. Do the instructions tell you how you use the device? If not, you could probably look it up online at their website.
Like I said, I don't use a device so I'm not much help. How about if you start a new post and title it - need help with freestyle light lancet device.
I'm sure that will get attention and people will be able to help you. I can only help if you want to free hand. Which honestly is easy to do.
Like I said, I don't use a device so I'm not much help. How about if you start a new post and title it - need help with freestyle light lancet device.
I'm sure that will get attention and people will be able to help you. I can only help if you want to free hand. Which honestly is easy to do.
- Status