Skipped Tests

Status
Not open for further replies.
L

lshaffer

Member Since 2014
Suddenly I can't seem to get a test on Long John Silver. I couldn't get blood from him yesterday afternoon and evening. I swear I was getting him in the right spot on the ear but nothing was coming out. I wound up giving him the usual 1 unit of Lantus anyway last night.

This morning, the same thing happened. At one point I finally got enough blood but the monitor read error. And I KNOW that was enough blood. I wound up doing the same thing - just giving him the 1 unit of Lantus with no actual test readings.

Not sure what to do here. I had my husband hold him this morning, and I feel like we were just torturing him. He was crying and hissing and squirming. I tried his paw but nothing came out of it.

One thing you have to realize about Long John, one of his ears is crumpled. This from some attack that occurred in 2003, we suspect, when he was a feral. That same attack damaged his tail, which, with no veterinary treatment, turned gangrene, and when we finally did trap him, the tail had to be amputated. The ear seemed to heal up on its own but was left crumpled, and I just can't find a vein in it. So that just leaves the one good ear, which is not looking too good.

I'll try again this afternoon but I just hate the idea that I'm giving him insulin without readings. It's really tough when it's on the weekend because you can't just call up the vet. And next weekend is a looong one what with Thanksgiving.
 
Well you aren't aiming for the vein, you are aiming for right along the edge. What color are Long John's ears? If very dark you can use the inside of the ear which can help in seeing where you are poking on dark brown or black ears. Another trick is to hold a flashlight under the ear, to help see the vein and then you want to aim between it and the edge of the ear.

Mel and The Fur Gang
 
MommaOfMuse said:
Well you aren't aiming for the vein, you are aiming for right along the edge. What color are Long John's ears? If very dark you can use the inside of the ear which can help in seeing where you are poking on dark brown or black ears. Another trick is to hold a flashlight under the ear, to help see the vein and then you want to aim between it and the edge of the ear.

Mel and The Fur Gang
Click to expand...

Oh thats helpful information to know - My cat's ears are black and its so hard to see - never thought of using the other side!
 
As far as aiming for the part between the vein and the edge of the ear, I just have one thing to say about that, OH! :o I had no idea! OMG, that makes it so much easier and probably a great deal less painful for my poor, sweet, God-love-him Long John!

Long John's ears are gray but the fur is REALLY thin so you can see the vein. I've seen the vet use the other side, and I've tried once or twice to do so but he really gets touchy about his ears.

Never knew about the flashlight idea! THAT sounds totally kooo-elll! Now I've GOT to try it! @-)
 
When you are really desparate to get blood - he's acting oddly, didn't eat, threw up, etc - you may aim for the vein. It tends to bleed profusely, so you get the drop, then apply firm pressure for a good minute or tow to reduce bruising and scabbing.

And if he shakes his head, you'll have spatter everywhere.
 
My Wink has black fur and black ear edges and very long floofy ear on the inside of his ears. In the beginning, I gently shaved a tiny patch on his ear to help me see that "Sweet Spot" and the blood drop better.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top