ReliON confirm

[John and Charzard]

Used the ReliON Confirm for the first time this morning and had a hell of a time. At first I couldn't even tell if it was working so tried it on myself (I know this probably is not recommended) it worked so I changed the lancelet and tried it on Charzard. With the ear I got nothing, so I tried his pad and I couldn't get enough of a blood droplet to fill the strip. Any suggestions?

 

[Brashworks]

Used the ReliON Confirm for the first time this morning and had a hell of a time. At first I couldn't even tell if it was working so tried it on myself (I know this probably is not recommended) it worked so I changed the lancelet and tried it on Charzard. With the ear I got nothing, so I tried his pad and I couldn't get enough of a blood droplet to fill the strip. Any suggestions?

John your instincts are excellent! No issue using it on yourself at all - I did the same.

It's possible the depth of the lancet is too short or the gauge too thin.

I had a really hard time using the lancet pen - not sure what kind you have but uncapped it and just used it like a pen with the pointy end sticking out. I put band aids on my thumb and forefinger of my other hand to use as a "brace" - learned this the hard way when I stuck myself through Genghis' ear - and press fairly firmly at at the very outer edge of Charzard's ear till you can almost feel it poking through. Sometimes it helps to warm up the ear first - gentle rubs or some rice warmed up in a sock.

This does not seem to hurt Genghis at all and actually over the last week her ears bleed much better than when I started. There are some great videos on YouTube. If you go out to the main page on this site, there are great links and pictures too.

Oh, and if you are like me, make sure you have very recently put the strip in the meter. A few times I had success getting blood but the meter had "timed out" and turned itself off while I was trying to get my sample. I nearly cried!

You are doing great!

 

[Shiloh & Rhonda (GA)]

I don't know which lancet device you are using. But I actually have my Relion lancet device set on 5, the deepest setting. Lower than that and even on her ears, it is hit and miss (miss being the operative word), but the 5 consistently works.

 

[Lisa and Witn (GA)]

I share my meter between myself and my cats. For the cats, I find using the lancet free-hand instead of using the device gives me more control. If you hold a light near your cat's ear, you will see a little vein running around the rim of it. You want to aim for the space between the vein and edge of the ear. Don't worry if you hit the vein instead. However, have a paper towel or tissue handy. It will give you a very large drop of blood and cats seem to shake their head at the wrong time.

For myself, I do use the device. Even though I have no problem poking the cats free-hand, I am a chicken when it comes to poking myself.

 

[Shiloh & Rhonda (GA)]

And I have used mine on myself, normally just to make sure that it is working correctly. I do however mark it, so that my reading isn't included in the averages.

 

[Tuxedo Mom]

For myself, I do use the device. Even though I have no problem poking the cats free-hand, I am a chicken when it comes to poking myself.

I find freehand the easiest with Tuxie, especially since he does NOT like the clicking noise the device makes.

This morning when I was still half awake (as usual) I grabbed the used lancet after testing and ended up sticking it in my finger..it was actually hanging there. The funny thing is that it really didn't hurt much at all.

 

[Julia Rae]

I also find freehand easiest with Magellan, though I use his paw when I can catch him to check that is, I also have practiced on myself I think most of us have.

 

[Terry and Casey]

I had a hard time getting a blood drop at first too. Are you using the lancets that came with the meter. At someone's suggestion, I got larger guage lancets and that helped a lot. I use the clear cap on the pen...so I can see where I am going...and use 28 guage freestyle lancets.

 

[Julia Rae]

I am using that or 33 gauge depends in how he is acting

 

[Tuxedo Mom]

I am using that or 33 gauge depends in how he is acting

As Terry said I also use the 28 gauge Free Style lancets, but by hand. The 33 gauge may be too fine, especially when first starting ear testing. Over time the ear actually "learn" to bleed better, but until then the thicker gauge may be better. In case you don't know, the higher the gauge number the thinner the lancet so a 28 gauge is actually thicker than a 33 gauge,

 

[Squeaky and KT (GA)]

Also, be patient and keep trying - it takes a week or two for the ear to 'learn to bleed'. Technically to grow more capillaries to that area of the ear. The more you try, the quicker this will happen. Larger gauge lancets at first is a good idea. Do keep it turned to the deepest setting - later you can dial it back. Also be sure the ear is warm - cold ears don't bleed. During the winter I use a baby sock with about 1/4th cup rice in it - heat in microwave for 15-20 seconds then rub Dakota's ear with it. Don't get it too hot that it burns tho'. We don't keep our house very cool in summer so his ears stay warm and bleed fine.

Just don't give up! It WILL happen - promise!

 

[Cat Ma]

It's very important to warm up the ear first as Squeaky mentioned. I use a damp small wash cloth heated up for about 15-30 seconds or so in the microwave and then place it in a plastic bag. I then test it on my arm first to make sure it is not hot. Then I rub it over CJ's ear gently. Massaging the ear helps too but a heated washcloth or a pill bottle filled with warm water will get the blood flowing faster. Another handy trick is using a very tiny dab of ointment such as neosporin or polysporin with a q-tip and applying it where you are going to poke. That will help the blood bead up faster for you to collect a sample.

Lancet/gauge size is important too. Starting out, a 26 or 28 gauge is best. Be sure it's labeled "For Alternate Site Use". Any brand is fine. The lower the number, the thicker the gauge but the better chance you'll have of getting a blood sample more easily and faster. The thicker gauge does not hurt the cat. The higher the number, the thinner the gauge/lancet. If you do use a higher number gauge, you'll likely have to poke several times before you can get blood to come out.

I freehand, using a lancet/gauge but no lancet pen. I can see and feel where I am poking better.

With time, getting your cat's ears to bleed will be much easier.

 

[MrWorfMen's Mom]

John, you can prick the ear on either the back or front. My girl is black and a small bead of blood can be hard to see if I try to use the back of her ear so I always bend her ear back over a folded up tissue so I am dealing with a little less hair.

The other thing is getting into a routine so you don't turn the meter so soon that it times out but also not so late that Charzard decides to do the dreaded head shake before you get the strip filled!

My routine is to have everything within hands reach including pushing the strip just far enough into the meter that a quick poke brings it to life.

I get the ear positioned with one hand. With the other I grab the lancing device, dab a finger into Vaseline and apply it to the ear, flip the cap off the lancet, push the strip into the meter (don't use Vaseline finger), poke, grab the meter and take the reading.

Believe me it gets much easier with practice. I am testing 2 meters right now and using the same drop of blood for both. It's all in the set up and timing once his ears start co-operating! The other thing I find helpful is if the meter beeps when the strip is full. Some meters give you the option of the beep or silence. The beep may startle Charzard a bit at first but if you have the sample already, that shouldn't be too big a problem. He'll get used to it and it will save you & him some extra pokes.

 

[jane and stewey]

I find getting blood from the inside of the ear lobe is not all that hard. I have a baby sock filled with rice that I heat in the microwave and apply to the ear. It dilates the capillaries and promotes blood flow. I compress the site for about 30 seconds and then apply a dab of Vaseline to the ear. It keeps it soft and lessens tenderness. My cat doesn't stress as much either. Good luck from jane and stewey

 

[BJM]

Practicing on yourself or a piece of fruit allows you to get a feel for coordinating the use of the meter.
With the Confirm, I would put the test strip in halfway, prick, snag a test on a fingernail, push the strip in completely, wait for it to beep, then test the drop on my nail with one hand while blotting the ear with the other.
If necessary, you can prick the vein directly, however it may bleed profusely, so be prepared for that.