Still trying

Status
Not open for further replies.
P

pteacher

Member Since 2013
I'm still having trouble getting blood from Rocky's ear. I've tried everything that has been recommended on this site, but not having much luck. I hate having to poke him so many times and he gets real aggravated when I do. cat(2)_steam
How do I know what size lancets I am using? They seem really small. I know someone said they should be 25-26 or 28. Where would I get these if they are not the size that came with the meter and will they still work with my lancet device?
Also I have a question about the lancet device. What depth setting do you use? I tried it on my own finger and had to use the highest setting to even get it to poke my finger. I don't want to cause more pain, but do want to get blood. I've never used it on Rocky, but if it would be easier than the lancet by itself, I would be willing to try.

I've driven my vet crazy, I'm sure, by calling her with all my concerns. She keeps telling me not to worry about testing and just to monitor his behavior, eating and water intake. However, when I give him his morning shot and then have to leave for work, I'm always worried that something might happen. If something did happen, would he immediately be in serious condition or would I still have time to get him help when I got home from work? nailbite_smile
 
It is such a relief when you can test regularly and be confident that he is doing well on the dose you gave. So we are glad you keep trying.

Take your lancet device to the drug store and tell the druggist you need "alternative site" lancets in the 25-28 gauge range. Yes, they can make all the difference. I liked the lancet device because I felt I would be too timid poking on my own. It is a personal preference; try it both ways.

You have something behind his ear to poke against? We used a small make up sponge; others use a folded kleenix or the rice sack.
 
Morning,

What I have had the best success with in getting a blood test is: I have a baby wash cloth (from my DGS). I warm it in microwave for 11 seconds (I feel it to test of course). Place it around the ear I am testing, just for about 7-10 seconds. I give Cleo's face a good rubbing (she likes it a little rough, but ECID). Then I place my left finger under (inside) ear, use my right hand to poke the lancet at a 45 degree angle close to the edge of the ear. Then I rub her head gently,(but try not to let her shake), while the drop of blood starts. Sometimes I need to kind of rub up (milk) the ear to get the drop bigger. The I put the strip right next to the drop, so it sips up the blood. This is Cleo's worse part. I think it tickles her ear, and she really wants to shake then.

I know what you are going through. I was you on 4/5. It will get better.

It gives you such peace of mind to know your kitties numbers are not in the danger zone!

Good luck :razz:
 
pteacher said:
If something did happen, would he immediately be in serious condition or would I still have time to get him help when I got home from work? nailbite_smile
Click to expand...

Hypo can kill very quickly, I would not personally take this risk myself.
 
When first starting out, you will probably need the lancet pen on the highest setting till their ears "learn to bleed" better (which can take a few weeks). When using the lancet pen, you also want to make sure it's flat against the ear. You may poke through a time or two, but eventually, you'll be able to lower the depth setting. Right now, I can get blood from the lowest setting on any of my lancet pens.

Speaking of which, what pen are you using? Some of them come with clear caps and a lot of people find it easier to use it without the clear cap on. You might also want to try out other lancing pens to see if there is one that works better for you. My favorite is the AccuChek FastClix because I don't have to switch out the lancet every time and it's easy to use. The only "downside" is that the hole where the lancet comes through is off-centered, which does take some getting used to, but is actually beneficial in the long run.
 
I am so happy you are persisting!!

If you dont know what the guage is, it probably is 33 which is pretty small. I would call around some pharmacies and also try the links above ie http://www.walmart.com/ip/Arkray-USA-Inc-28-Guage-Lancets/20780315

Personally I would freehand the lancets - it gives more control..but you could try the device.. start low and move high until you get blood. I believe though that the arkray people also make the relion so they may work with your device but if not you could just get one of their lancet devices instead.

Remind me what dose of PZI he is on?
 
First off...I just can't poke without the device. It freaks me out! nailbite_smile However, here is my problem. Even on the highest setting, the lancet barely pokes out and therefore, I am having trouble getting any blood even after warming the ear. I managed to do it once, but haven't been able to do it since. I have two different devices: Ascensia Microlet and ReliOn. Today I went to the pharmacy and bought 26 gauge lancets that say the are ideal for alternate site use. Same problem with these. I've tried it on my finger and at the highest setting, I can get a very small amount of blood. I think I am following the directions for loading the lancet, but can't figure out why the point does not come out further. Help!!!!

Rocky is on 2 units of Prozinc in the morning and 1 unit in the evening. His bg readings are usually in the 300's with the ReliOn meter.

The vet keeps telling me not to worry about not being able to test his blood, but I still do. He acts, eats, drinks and uses the litter box normal.
 
With a lancing device it is so quick you will not see the point come out no matter the setting. You need to hold the device totally flat on the ear, no angle, with a cosmetic pad or something like it for support underneath the ear. You do not have to press hard, just firmly on the ear with you pad and finger underneath ear and device flat on top.

Baby(GA) had the potential to turn on me so my first time way back in '98 I got a cup of hot water. I then knelt down with her body between my legs but not holding her. Put some food in front on her. I then put the strip in the meter so that was ready for the drop of blood. I dunked cosmetic pad in hot water quickly, rung it out, shoved it underneath where I was going to poke, held it in place with my left hand, quick wipe on pants with my right hand, picked up meter, poked, and blood came right up. She didn't even react. I also use the next to lowest setting on my cats so blood comes up to the top and doesn't pool down because of a deep poke. That hot water isn't really hot on the ear because you have rung it out but it is warm enough that it heats the ear instantly.
 
The size of the blood drop only needs to be about the size of a straight pin. Or about one quarter the size of a grain of uncooked rice.
 
Another thought - how do you feel about another member coming round to show you? Another member in Georgia might be nice enough to come round and help advise?

Wendy
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top