Recommendation on testing ears

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David - coco

Member Since 2022
So I’ve started tested about 5 days ago and has gone relatively well. I have the alpha trak and the lancet device that came with that. The only issue I’ve had is I can’t seem to line the device up well enough and I think I keep hitting close to or in the vein. Now each of her ears has small round red dots, that I’m assuming are bruises? I hold a cold damp folded paper towel on her ear for a minute after but they’re still bruised. I tried free hand and the first time went great but the last two times she move and cause to poke to hard and close to the edge of the ear. The last time it took several minutes to stop bleeding. The vet that showed me how had a lancet device with a clear cap which seemed easier to see where you’re poking, does anyone know if these exist?

Any advice on preventing bruising? I read about neosporen but I also read (from a link on her) that it can be toxic to cats? She seems to bleed pretty easily has I have the device on the highest level and still get blood, I have 30 ga lancets on order, maybe it’ll help with the bruising. Maybe her ears are just more sensitive. Maybe I’m not hurting her but I still feel bad.

not sure about freehanding, may need to try a couple more times. Are there videos or tips on free hand?

tips on better lining up the lancing device?

thanks
 
There is no need to use that device; you will struggle to line things up properly. It takes practice but you should be able to do it by hand; I find it far far easier. The clicking and feel of the lancet device against the near will also scare cats generally.

1.) Go in at a 45 degree angle. The lancet device doesn't allow you to do this; you don't want to go through the ear (which is possible with the lancet device, not possible for most cats with most lancets at 45 degrees, increases the effective thickness of the ear by about 41%).

2.) Make sure you're going near the sweet spot; pain nerves are minimal and there are lots of blood vessels.

laur_danny_famoussweetspot.jpg


4.) Use a flashlight to see where the vein is. Always go near the outer edge past the vein.

5.) I test sam with him against a wall, that way I can push him gently down with a bit of force and he can't move (he could, he just doesn't, something about being on a carpet up against a wall calms him down).

If it's taking several minutes to stop the bleeding and you have bruising then you're probably going right into the vein. Take a flashlight, shine it from behind your cats ear. You'll be able to see the main vein that goes around the edge of the ear (and to the left or right of the vein, whichever way brings you closer to the edge of the ear) is where you want to poke.

If you use a flashlight you will see something like this. The big red vein going all the way around the ear is likely where you're poking, that might be why it's bleeding so much.

1000_F_426025048_p8V5m7cxzuKIRcguxmK9Lf5b9IEPizdN.jpg



As for a lancet device with a clear cap; I got one from the bravo meter that I bought. Cost me 40 CAD for the meter/100 test strips, can only be bought online. But I would try free handing it first. If you are sure that this is not an option then fair, but you have far greater control over where the poke ends up than with a lancet device, even with a clear cap it will be exceedingly difficult to see where the lancet will end up poking.

Finally, take a look at https://felinediabetes.com/bg-home-test.htm. Lots of great advice/videos on home testing!
 
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Im seconding freehand technique. I had a VERY tough time in the beginning and freehand gave me the most control. I also tried it all out on myself first and freehand was least painful IMO
 
Just Google clear cap lancing devices and you will see different one

I always test freehand , if you look at the lancet you will see that one side curves upward, you want to poke with that side

Always aim for the sweet spot warm the ears up first, you can put rice in a sock and put it in the microwave, test it on the inside of your wrist to be sure it's not to hot, like you would test a babies bottle. You can fill a pill bottle with warm water and roll it on the ears also.Just keep rubbing the ears with your fingers to warm them up
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6. As the ears get used to bleeding and grow more capilares, it gets easier to get the amount of blood you need on the first try. If he won’t stand still, you can get the blood onto a clean finger nail and test from there.
When you do get some blood you can try milking the ear.
Get you finger and gently push up toward the blood , more will appear
You will put the cotton round behind his ear in case you poke your finger, after you are done testing you will fold the cotton round over his ear to stop the bleeding , press gently for about 20 seconds until it stops
Get 26 or 28 gauge lancets
A lot of us use the lancets to test freehand not the lancing device
I find it better to see where I'm aiming
Look at the lancet under a light and you will see one side is curved upward, that's the side you want to poke with

A video one of our members posted, she is using a pet meter ,strips too expensive plus you have to code it
A human meter is just fine, most of us use human meters ,that's what our numbers are based on
When you get your meter can you add the name of it to your signature and spreadsheet


VIDEO: How to test your cat's blood sugar

Here is another link to read
This is a link to one of our posts on home testing.
 
Well I ended up going thru the ear tonight while testing free hand. She moved right when I poked and it went thru. I feel really bad and now I’m nervous about doing it again. It had to hurt her to some extent and can’t help but feel terrible.
 
chuckstables said:
There is no need to use that device; you will struggle to line things up properly. It
Click to expand...
I never had any trouble using the lancing device at all and I never had trouble “lining things up”.
It is just a matter of choice. As long as your kitty is happy with the clicking noise, you should be fine to use it. Just makes sure you have the right depth and the right gauge lancet. And mentally know where the ear vein runs along the edge of the ear.
 
Bron and Sheba (GA) said:
I never had any trouble using the lancing device at all and I never had trouble “lining things up”.
It is just a matter of choice. As long as your kitty is happy with the clicking noise, you should be fine to use it. Just makes sure you have the right depth and the right gauge lancet. And mentally know where the ear vein runs along the edge of the ear.
Click to expand...
I should’ve said I struggle with it lol. I just find it easier cause i can see where i’m poking way easier.
 
David - coco said:
Any advice on preventing bruising? I read about neosporen but I also read (from a link on her) that it can be toxic to cats? She seems to bleed pretty easily has I have the device on the highest level and still get blood, I have 30 ga lancets on order, maybe it’ll help with the bruising. Maybe her ears are just more sensitive. Maybe I’m not hurting her but I still feel bad.
Click to expand...
Hi David, I'm new here as well, welcome!
It was suggested to me (can't recall who now, sorry) that you can use a tiny smidge of PURE Coconut oil, used by cooks looking for healthier oil alternative. It has medicinal properties and promotes healing. Also is a very safe alternative to scripts, added bonus for Coco?... if he grooms it all off and injests it, it beneficial for his health :cat: Just ensure it's the pure stuff
David - coco said:
She seems to bleed pretty easily has I have the device on the highest level and still get blood,
Click to expand...
I do prefer the pen, my kitty responds well to it, my husband prefers freehand. For us, It's all about comfort level of the poker. I did a bit of research on this as well, about the lancing device settings, mine has 10 settings that go from 0.5 to 5.0 in 1/2 point increments. I tried 3 a few times, difficult to draw a sufficient drop, 4 was good, 5 I found would occasionally pierce throught the ear depending on where I lined it up. I read that most kitties are best at the higher settings, and that higher setting does not really equate to a much more painful poke. Setting 4 was just right for us. Chin up, I got there, you will too:p
 
Oops, I referred to it as my pen..... I call it that cause it looks like a pen, it's the lancing device. lol, (not an insulin pen) sorry if that was confusing:confused:
 
So is there a preferred or recommended ointment? She seems to have one spot that is maybe a little worse than others? I had freehand poked her and she move a bit and might have poked a little harder than I wanted , took a bit longer to stop the bleeding also. Then 2 hours when I tested again, near the same spot, all I did was brush that spot with the lancet pen and it started to bleed again without even pricking. I’m assuming I broke a scab maybe? It took a bit to get the bleeding to stop again. I’m starting to get worried I’m causing some damage…
With that, what the best way to alternate spot where your testing?
 
Are you using both ears for testing?
I used both ears and used to test up and down both sides (of the outside) of both ears when I was testing a lot.
 
Bron and Sheba (GA) said:
I never had any trouble using the lancing device at all and I never had trouble “lining things up”.
It is just a matter of choice. As long as your kitty is happy with the clicking noise, you should be fine to use it. Just makes sure you have the right depth and the right gauge lancet. And mentally know where the ear vein runs along the edge of the ear.
Click to expand...
I also use the lancing device. We seem to be in the minority! But I've never had an issue with any of them (have used several different types over these past 16 years...)
My close vision isn't great, neither is my hand-eye coordination at times. So I actually find the lancing device much easier - and far faster - than freehand. I just press and click and hope for the best! And this technique has served me very well. :rolleyes:

With both my kitties I've used the lancing device as a sort of training clicker. I'd click the lancing device and give them a treat. That click soon became the sound of a yummy reward on its way, and nothing to fear... :smuggrin:

Eliz
 
David - coco said:
So is there a preferred or recommended ointment?
Click to expand...
Personally, I find a teensy weensy smear of ordinary Vaseline seems to help with healing, especially in the early days when the ears seem more sensitive to the ear pricks. Strange as it sounds, the ears seem to 'toughen up' over time (or we get better at pricking them, haha!)
Vaseline is also useful in that it can make it easier to see the blood droplet, the blood 'beads up' and doesn't disappear into the fur...
 
So the last few times I’ve poked for blood, the blood just smears down the ear instead of pooling up. Why is this? I even tried on the inside with no hair and same thing? Is it maybe not poking deep enough? Hadn’t had this issue before
 
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