problems getting blood for testing glucose

[Phyllis]

I was able to get enough blood the first time but on the second reading 2 hrs later, I finally gave up...poor kitty...his ear was going to be a pin cushion and he was so good. I did everything I could...made and used a warm rice sock, tried both the inside of the ear and the edge but just can't get enough blood. I will try again tomorrow. I am so frustrated with myself!!! I don't want to have to take him back in to get a curve done... Any other advice?

 

[Dyana]

Just give him a rest for awhile, and try again later. I would at the very very least get a test before giving insulin.

Are you giving him a treat after every test, whether successful or not? That will give him some reward for being so patient.

I found that the 28 gauge lancets work best for my cat, but I still often have to poke more than once to get a drop of blood. I just poke again, right next to but not in the same place as my last poke. I poke on the inside of the ears as my cat has black hair on the outside and white on the inside. I then gently run my finger in one direction along the other side of the ear (the outside, in my case) until a bead of blood forms. If I poked twice right next to each other, they sometimes form to smaller droplets that can be caught together in the test strip to get a successful test.

Keep trying. I know it's frustrating at first. We've all been through it. It will get easier.

 

[Elizabeth and Bertie]

Hello Phyllis,

Oh, poor you. You sound SO frustrated! But you are actually doing really well. Please don't be so hard on yourself!

I've tested my cat's ears over 17,000 times now and occasionally I still don't get blood the first time I try!!! Usually the reason is that I'm not putting enough pressure on the inside of the ear. When I prick the outside of the ear I find it's important to have a sort of 'equal and opposite' pressure on the inside too. Some folks use a folded piece of tissue or a little wodge of cotton wool. I just use my finger (and yes, occasionally I do manage to prick my own finger through the cat's ear!)

It can also help to do two ear pricks in quick succession very close to each other. The blood from the two sites can add up to a useable amount of blood for your test.

A teensy smear of vaseline on the ear can help the droplet of blood to bead up (and make the blood less likely to smear and disappear) and can help you to see it more clearly too.

It's also very true what people say on this forum about the cat's ears "learning to bleed". It really does seem like that. Someone wrote here that new blood vessels grow in the ear. I've no idea if that's true, but it certainly does get easier to get blood after you've done just a small number of tests.

 

[Phyllis]

Thank you! It really is helpful to have others who have been through this. Nonnie is on 1 unit of Lantus twice a day. I was a little alarmed when his first reading this am (1 hour after insulin) was 509. I don't think I gave the shot right. I've been having problems knowing if it really got SQ or where it ended up. It's such a small amount. I looked at your spreadsheet...very interesting. I have to buy some more lancets today so will try to find the 29 gauge. What size insulin needles do you use? And what length needle. I'm using 29 gauge, 1/2 inch needle as that's what I found when we first started. I would like a finer gauge but the shots don't really seem to bother him and I'm wondering if just the shorter needle length might be better... I've had diabetic cats years ago but never have done glucose testing. I'm also frustrated as I have another cat (of my 17 total) who has been in and out of specialist after P.U. surgery that had complications, so I'm a little stressed out to begin with. (This other one, Dinky, is a Maine Coon runt and apparently never quite got fully developed in terms of his organs). Thank you again for taking the time to respond! And, yes, I do give treats after testing, even if I fail. ANd extra cuddling and love.

 

[Phyllis]

Thanks, Elizabeth! If I understood you, you prick the outside of the ear versus the inside? I haven't tried that. I was afraid the hair might interfere more (plus the inside is how the vet showed me versus the sweet spot on the ear edge which I definitely can't find!). I guess that's where the vasoline comes in? I never figured I'd be able to do this once...much less have him put up with me trying over and over! At least from your response, it sounds like his ear won't end up mush! Is there anything you do right after to help it feel better or does it really not bother them that much? My cats are my children...all 17 of them...can't imagine loving human kids more than I love these kitties...Thank you! Hugs and purrs!

 

[Dyana]

A lot of people get the 30 guage with 5/16th inch needle. I know you can get them with the ReliOns from WalMart.
I was just told long ago, that since J.D. is a little big, that the 1/2 inch needles might be better for him, so that's what we use.

You have permission to give yourself a treat after every test, too You're doing a good job!

ETA: I just read your response to Elizabeth. You want to put some pressure on the poke site after the test (I use those cotton rounds people use for taking off face make up) to avoid bruising. Although, sometimes you'll get bruising anyway. I do switch ears about once a week, or every 5 or 6 days, or so. You can buy the Neosporin plus Pain Relief It comes in both an ointment and a cream. I use the cream type and apply just a little dab sometimes after poking the ear. A lot of people will use the ointment, which will help the beading up of the blood droplet before poking. I have never tried the Maximum Strength version, I just use the regular. I don't know if the Maximum Strenght version is okay to use, or not.

 

[Elizabeth and Bertie]

Hi Phyllis,

Yes, I test the outside of the ear. And I always press firmly on the test site afterwards for about 10 seconds to stem any bleeding and to stop bruising. Here's a link to some great test pics (It was from these that I first learned to hometest!): http://www.sugarpet.net/bloodtst.html

Edited to add: I've just tested Bertie and I've realised that after I prick the ear I seem to routinely massage just below that point with my forefinger and thumb to encourage the blood to flow. Maybe something you could try...?

PS. ...You have 17 cats....? Crikey, I thought having my five cats was quite a challenge!!! :shock:

 

[Phyllis]

Those showed great pictures. I will try again this evening prior to his next injection. I may try the vasoline and the outer edge, with a flashlight in my teeth as I have read somewhere on this site. Yes, 17 cats, all indoors, many with problems of one kind or another...all strays who we were fated to have, I truly believe, so we could care for them. They all found us except for the 3 Maine Coons that I fostered from the Humane SOciety where I volunteer, and then couldn't give up...too attached...so my husband adopted all 3 so we wouldn't 'break up the family'. Thank you so much for your encouragement! I may survive the day after all!! ;-)