Problems with BG testing

[Daddy Jack's Mommy (GA)]

Jack was newly diagnosed and his insulin should arrive by tomorrow night. I have been trying to get a BG reading so I can be ready when the insulin arrives. I've been able, a couple of times now, to successfully prick the ear and to milk some blood. However, I'm not able to get enough to get a reading. And he's being such a good boy through all of it! I'm warming his ear first, so that isn't the problem. I've tried 3 different ways of warming it, and I prefer to just rub with my fingers. Jack seems to like that as well. Is there a home testing glucometer that would use less blood? If I'm not able to get a reading by the time I start the insulin, will this present a problem? I know his numbers have to be lower now than they were when he was diagnosed, as I've removed dry food and he's now eating low carb wet. I can already see a difference in him.

 

[FurBabiesMama]

The thing about rubbing with your fingers is that that will irritate the ear over time. It probably does not warm the area up as much either. Are you aiming between the vein and the edge of the ear? Do you have 28g lancets? The finer ones usually do not work as well for a cat.

I do not use a human meter so I'll let others comment on the sample size required. My AlphaTrak uses a very small dot (.3uL).

You definitely want to be able to test before giving insulin! That is even more important because of the food change. Changing from high-carb dry food to low-carb wet food can lower glucose considerably. You do not want to 'shoot blind' or you could be endangering him.

 

[Daddy Jack's Mommy (GA)]

The thing about rubbing with your fingers is that that will irritate the ear over time. It probably does not warm the area up as much either. Are you aiming between the vein and the edge of the ear? Do you have 28g lancets? The finer ones usually do not work as well for a cat.

Yes, I am using 28g lancets. And I do believe I'm hitting that sweet spot! I am getting blood, but just not much at all. I'll try another method of warming other than using my fingers. I don't rub all that hard, so maybe I'm not really warming the ear much at all. He seemed to like when I put hot, wet paper towels into a plastic bag. He seemed to really enjoy that.

 

[Daddy Jack's Mommy (GA)]

I'll just keep practicing until I get it right. And I won't shoot him until I've been able to test him first. Thank you for your support.

 

[Erin & Scott]

I had a hard time getting enough blood when I first started testing, but over a few weeks, apparently the number of capillaries in the tip of the ear increases. I know that I nearly always get a good bead on the first poke now. I also sometimes massage Benny's ear with my fingers, it doesn't seem to bother him, and I haven't seen any indication that it is causing irritation. Fortunately he likes to be fussed over, sometimes I'll even breathe gently on his ear to warm it up.

He was a little wild thing when he first came to live with us at about 1 year of age. He loved to play and ran wild through the house, but being held was not really his thing. So I would wrap him up in my arms and breathe warm air into his fur around his head and neck. Surprisingly, he loved it and it calmed him down. He still won't sit on a lap, but he's been amazingly cooperative with the testing, and seems to like the attention.

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

It takes a short time for the ears to learn to bleed. New capillaries will grow.
I know it is frustrating but persevere and you will get there. Always give your kitty a reward every time you test whether you are successful or not. Give yourself a reward too!
Well done learning to test.

 

[Daddy Jack's Mommy (GA)]

I had a hard time getting enough blood when I first started testing, but over a few weeks, apparently the number of capillaries in the tip of the ear increases. I know that I nearly always get a good bead on the first poke now.

I never thought I'd want to see blood as much as I do right now! I just have to stick with it and be patient, and I'll rejoice when I see red.

 

[Daddy Jack's Mommy (GA)]

This is so sweet...
There was a time when I thought Jack would never allow me to do the things I'm doing to him now. He was an abused Kitty before I got him, and it took years for him to fully trust me. I'm surprised that he is not getting upset with me through all of this.

 

[Daddy Jack's Mommy (GA)]

It takes a short time for the ears to learn to bleed. New capillaries will grow.
I know it is frustrating but persevere and you will get there. Always give your kitty a reward every time you test whether you are successful or not. Give yourself a reward too!
Well done learning to test.

My greatest reward will be to see blood! It's encouraging to me to hear that this will eventually happen.