OMG 1st Blood Test/Advice

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A couple of frustrating days trying to do the blood test. Either we don’t get enough blood or he won’t hold still long enough to get the blood on the strip. Luckily he keeps coming back. This morning I’ve used 5 AT2 strips with no luck. I guess there are good days and not so good days. Luckily his numbers are staying normal with no insulin. Here are the last 3 days with AT2:
Tuesday 82 AM 76 PM
Wednesday 80 AM 85 PM
Thursday 99 AM 87 PM

I will keep attempting to get 2 a day through Sunday.
 
The AT2 needs a tiny drop of blood about the size of a straight pin head, almost half of what the Prime needs. While this should make getting a sample easier, it also makes an acceptable size sample less visible on those hairy ears. You could try a very light skim of Vaseline on the edge of Pinot's ear where you plan to poke. This helps the sample bead up rather than spread into the fur. If Pinot is getting antsy, use a clean fingernail to pick up the sample and test from there.

Those numbers are absolutely purrrrfect! Only a few days to go......
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Finally got a test this morning. It was 107 after breakfast and several snacks for failed test. Tried his other ear. Must have hit the vein. Blood everywhere. Was able to get a drop on my fingernail as you suggested. Very expensive with the number of AT2 strips wasted. Thanks! Try again this afternoon or evening. One test/shot at a time.
 
Love your avatar. Pinot is a very handsome guy. Love those ears and wide eyes! 107 after breakfast and test treats is fine. Pinot is still on the right track.

Sorry you ended up with a mess to clean up. Been there...done that....once with a white clothing on...you get the picture.:oops::rolleyes::banghead::arghh:

The AT2 strips are ridiculously expensive and that is why most folks end up switching over to a human meter. ;)
 
Believe it or not we got Pinot and 3 other cats while stationed in Riyadh Saudi Arabia on a small US Compound in 2002-2005. He showed up at our doorsteps just a few weeks old. I think his ears were full grown when he was born. He reminded me of Mickey Mouse. Now his ears don’t seem quite as big. His head has grown over the years but not the ears. He is our last remaining Saudi Cat. We do have 2 other shelter rescue cats from a shelter near our home. Maybe something was telling me those ears would be needed one of these days.
 
Well Pinot certainly knew what he was doing when he landed on your doorstep. :joyful: How wonderful that you were able to bring the kitties back home with you. My old guy had huge ears as a kitten too. He looked like a little rabbit. Like Pinot's, his head finally caught up! :woot:
 
Here are the results for the last 3 days for a total of 14 days without insulin. It has become more of a struggle. He has figured it out and isn’t cooperating as much as the first week or so. Plus I’ll admit I lost my nerve a few times. I think the readings went up some due to the stress of having to do the test several times. I believe from reading here my way ahead should be to test weekly for one to two months then go to monthly. Also test if things don’t seem right or he starts showing symptoms. Numbers are with the Alpha Trak 2. Overall average on the Alpha Trak 2 is 95.

Friday AM 107 PM 102
Saturday AM 103 PM 80
Sunday AM 111 PM 106
 
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Congratulations Pinot and Robert! Good job!

Keep Pinot on a low carb diet and test at least weekly for the next month or 2. You can then switch to monthly testing although testing weekly is easy to remember and gives you an early heads up if BG does happen to start rising at all. Don't be strangers and keep us posted on how things are going. :joyful:
 
I know our journey is just getting started. Once a diabetic always a diabetic. The help you and others have provided has been invaluable. I had convinced myself that if Pinot had diabetes I would just have to slowly let him go because he is so hard to handle. I sure hope this change in diet keeps him regulated for a long time. If not I will continue to try and give him the best care I can. It just warms your heart to know there is a community like this available to help. I will try my best to stick around. I know how welcoming it was to get a warm hello from others going through this and to hear how others were doing things. Best I can do is say hello and share how you and others took me from trembling hands and what I thought was a lost cause, to getting a few days of shots and two weeks of testing done. You have been one of life’s small miracles and for that I thank you!
 
I’m so glad Pinot is diet controlled. Give yourself a pat on the back. We have had several people show up here and say there’s no way my cat will ever let me test him. They disappear and we never know what became of them. You knew it would be difficult, but asked for help, took a deep breath, then applied the suggestions and now Pinot is a happy, healthy boy! Congratulations!!!!
 
Thanks! I sort of feel guilty that we have only been diagnosed since 6 June, only did 3 days of insulin shots and 26 successful blood test (I lost track of the failed attempts) and the results are a good chance of diet control. I will stay involved because I know that can change. Thanks again.
 
Yay Robert and yay Pinot!!! Congratulations on the remission! And amazing job on figuring out how to do the "impossible" and succeeding at it multiple times!! Much love to you and Pinot from Lauren and Kyo :D:joyful::bighug:
 
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