Paw pad testing

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Marianne M

Marianne M

Member Since 2019
I am not having great result with getting enough blood from my cat's pad on his foot. I've gone through too many test strips with error as the blood I do get isn't enough to soak up for a test. Mango seems to prefer the foot pad poke but the blood doesn't flow like on his ear. Any suggestions to help me out?
 
Hi Marianne. I don't have any suggestions for testing on the paw pad, as I have no experience with that. I've always tested Jack's BG on his ear. It was really hard in the beginning, but became much easier relatively quickly. Can I ask you what problems you're having with testing Mango's ear?
He's really a handsome boy!
 
You are dipping the protruding straw on the side of the alpha strip, not trying to scoop the drop in top of the black spot, right? I ask because I was doing it wrong the first few days I was testing and couldn't understand why I wasn't getting a reading.
 
I do paw pad testing with Sebastian. You kind of have to figure out where the best spot on the pad and which pad is best, and even then the flow can vary from day to day it seems. I've found that the sides of the pad work better than the base, so like right around where the fur line starts. Next time I test him I'll see if I can get a picture.
 
No real problem with testing on Mango's ear just that he tends to move just as I go in for the prick. Also since I am testing so frequently needed an alternative place as he will hiss if I do the ear too many times. He will allow me to life his paw up and doesn't mind the prick. I realized this morning that I need to be more aggressive with the lance so it goes in deep enough for a good sample. I just fear hurting my boy. Any yes I was trying to scoop the drop onto the black spot. That little black spot has to "soak" the blood up from the edge in order to register. I too learned the hard way after many expensive strips ruined. Ah the learning curve we can help others with! Thank you for your replies.
 
Yes and I've stabbed myself in the process! Some days I don't use the probe pen as I end up missing the edge of the ear.
 
Marianne M said:
Yes and I've stabbed myself in the process! Some days I don't use the probe pen as I end up missing the edge of the ear.
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Oh I've definitely stabbed myself! But holding cotton pads (cotton rounds) behind the ear eliminated that because now I stab the cotton. And I just can't use that lancet device, as I have no control of where it hits. I do much better just holding the lancet in my hand and poking at an angle.
 
I also after stabbing myself twice through kleenex I also bought those cosmetic cleaning pads from Dollar General. Works for me.
 
Marianne M said:
Yes and I've stabbed myself in the process! Some days I don't use the probe pen as I end up missing the edge of the ear.
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oh -- to avoid stabbing through, and to get a less-painful stick, use the lancet by itself, not with a pen, and prick at 45 degrees, angling toward the tip of the ear -- a prick rather than a stab ... different technique for cat vs for human .. aim to go through one layer of skin, not all the way through -- and yes, it's awkward and difficult if cat flinches, squirms, fights -- you may have to clamp down on that ear fairly vigorously with your non-pricking fingers
 
if you need a smile for the morning -- :cat::) -- Catcat is lying at my feet as I sit at computer; looked down at him and asked if he was ready "for this" (time for a +2 check) -- he looked at me, washed his paw, scrubbed his ear several times --

he's annoyed with me right now because I smoothed antibiotic ointment on his "cat acne" which oozes because he sometimes scratches at it with his hind claws
 
Marianne M said:
I also after stabbing myself twice through kleenex I also bought those cosmetic cleaning pads from Dollar General. Works for me.
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Yep. I use the same - those inexpensive makeup pads from Walmart. And I can't begin to remember how many times I've pricked my finger with the lancet after the fact. So, I didn't poke during but managed to get myself afterwards!
Did you ever think you'd be having a conversation about how to successfully make your cat bleed without hurting yourself while doing it? o_O
 
When I used to test Bellas paw pad at the beginning of dx, I used a little bit bigger lancet and used the pen to puncture the pad instead of my hand, I also wiped it down using alcohol wipe, hope this helps, I did it for months alternating paw pads
 
Daddy Jack's Mommy said:
Yep. I use the same - those inexpensive makeup pads from Walmart. And I can't begin to remember how many times I've pricked my finger with the lancet after the fact. So, I didn't poke during but managed to get myself afterwards!
Did you ever think you'd be having a conversation about how to successfully make your cat bleed without hurting yourself while doing it? o_O
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Ha Ha Ha not in a million years would a conversation have revolved around stabbing my cat's ear with a tiny lancet and yup managing to also bleed sometime more than Mango! What an interesting world we live in!
 
Bellasmom said:
When I used to test Bellas paw pad at the beginning of dx, I used a little bit bigger lancet and used the pen to puncture the pad instead of my hand, I also wiped it down using alcohol wipe, hope this helps, I did it for months alternating paw pads
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I am going get bigger lancets for the paw as last night at midnight I tried to test and was not successful on Mango's paw pad nor his ear. After he started growing and wanting his midnight snack I gave up and went on to bed. Sometimes you just have to fail and move on!
 
CandyH and Catcat said:
if you need a smile for the morning -- :cat::) -- Catcat is lying at my feet as I sit at computer; looked down at him and asked if he was ready "for this" (time for a +2 check) -- he looked at me, washed his paw, scrubbed his ear several times --

he's annoyed with me right now because I smoothed antibiotic ointment on his "cat acne" which oozes because he sometimes scratches at it with his hind claws
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Isn't it wonderful how forgiving our cats are. Or is it their memories aren't so good or I've got it...food and treats for some is a great motivator!
 
take an old sock, fill full of rice, microwave it until its warm. hold it on the paw before poking and blood will flow
 
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