Poke troubleshooting

[Helene and Santino]

I am happy to announce Santino has emerged from hiding and is napping on the rug next to me. He was at 227 on the ReliOn with 3 hours to go until his insulin. (My understanding is this is about 350 on the pet glucometer? I guess it could be worse. At least the insulin is doing something.)

I noticed that at times when I poke his ear he all but gushes blood, and at other times (like his traumatic experience last night) he hardly bled at all. Is that ok? Am I doing something wrong?

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

Is that ok? Am I doing something wrong?

Are you warming his ear up before you poke? That can really help!!

If you continue to poke in the same basic area, new capillaries will grow into the area and make it easier and easier to get blood, but at first, it can really be a "hit and miss" thing.

If it's "gushing", you may be hitting the vein, which hurts! It's better to make sure the ear is warm and poke in the "sweet spot"