Struggles with BG testing - any advice?

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Djamila

Djamila

Member Since 2015
So Sam went to the vet to start insulin, and based on the home testing results, the vet suggested waiting a couple more weeks to see if his lower numbers at home would be consistent (he's been high 300's at the vet, but much lower at home), but wants me to keep monitoring him at home before each meal. Great news! Except that the past few days I haven't been able to get a reading at all. I prick his ears and nothing....NOTHING...comes out. I can see little bruises on his ears and I'm wondering if I should just leave him alone for a few days.

Any suggestions?

I'm also curious about your thought on his numbers. I'm using a human meter from Target.
 
@Djamila ...your spreadsheet isn't visible to us right now. You need to change the "permissions".

Go to the top right corner and click on the blue "Share" button....a new box will pop up. Down at the bottom right, click on "Advanced" and then choose "Anyone with the link" and then "Done"

Are you heating up his ear before trying to poke? A little sock with some rice in it and microwaved or a small pill bottle full of warm water work well
 
Oops. Sorry 'bout that! I think it's fixed now. I did try heating it up today, but honestly, it's been in the high 80's/90's this week and his ears are always pretty warm to the touch anyway. He's even nice enough to have light colored edges to his ears so I can see the vein. The first few days were so easy!!! He is really bothered by the testing so I've been hesitant to try more than two pricks to get the reading.
 
I never could get blood from the ears either, I found testing the paw pads much easier. I never had a problem getting blood and there isn't much feeling in them. The risk of infection is virtually nil as the hole is so tiny and closes up so fast that if you don't get a good test, you'll usually have to re-poke.
 
that's better!

My thoughts on your spreadsheet numbers are that he could use some insulin to get him into some better numbers....while those aren't awful numbers, they're still a little too high and could be doing damage to his internal organs, especially his kidneys
 
@Mogmom and Goofus, I was wondering about that. Do you use the little needle shooter thingy to test in the paw? If so, what number would you start at? I can test myself at a 3, but I'm not sure how kitty paws compare.

@Chris & China Thanks for your input on that. I was wondering about that, too. I don't relish the idea of starting insulin, but I also would rather help him now instead of waiting until it's really bad. Plus, I'm on vacation next week so I could keep an eye on him for a few days. My vet seemed a little vague about the whole thing so it was hard to know what to do.
 
@Mogmom and Goofus On a different topic, I just noticed you're feeding your kitties Evo. I just heard from my local pet store that they have been bought out and it looks like they might be shutting down. You may want to stock up!
 
The sooner you start insulin on a cat that needs it, the better the chances that their pancreas can heal and resume working properly and being diet controlled!

Giving twice daily shots really isn't hard....the needles are so tiny that most cats don't even feel them
 
I had a hard time early on but things got easier. A few days practice and poking the furry side with a small piece of paper towel backing made a big difference.
 
Try putting a light coating of Vaseline or Neosporin (the clear ointment not the white cream) on his ear. That helps the blood bead up. I use it every time, otherwise the blood spreads out into the ear fur. It works like a charm.

Even though it's warm in your home, it still helps to warm up the ear to get blood flowing. Some people put a wet washcloth in the microwave then put it in a Baggie. I just microwave a dry washcloth and put it on an ear. Keep trying, it really will get easier.

Most cats don't like having their ears messed with. You can try get him more used to it by rubbing his ears quickly and then giving him a low-carb treat. Then he may associate having his ears played with as a good thing.

I second what Chris said: you should start him on a little bit of insulin (Lantus or Prozinc). That will help him more than waiting. A small dose for a couple of months may be all he needs. But the longer you wait, the more internal damage might be occurring. A lot of vets are wishy-washy about treating cats with diabetes. Yours may just not have a lot of experience with diabetic cats. If Sam were my kitty, I'd push to start insulin. It's great that you're home next week so you can get him started and keep an eye on him. it's really really easy. Poking the ear is harder IMO than giving insulin!

Shane
 
Also, what gauge is your lancet? A thicker needle (lower number) might help get more blood. If you're using a really fine needle like a 28 or higher, you may want to get a 26.
 
I heat a small baby sock filled with ricin the microwave. Not too hot, as to burn the ear. The heat helps to dilate the capillaries (tiny blood vessels) just under the skin. The, I prick and always get blood. After I compress the sit for about 30 seconds and then apply a small amount of vaseline to keep the ear soft and supple. It rarely fair;s to work. Good luck from Jane and Stewey
 
So I went and got bigger lancets and holy moly did his ear bleed! Also, he seemed to react to it less. Normally he really winces at the prick and this time he held still, so the larger size might be the trick. His numbers are looking pretty consistent at this point, so I'm feeling more comfortable pushing to start the insulin. Thanks everyone for your help!
 
I am with you, our Ernie has light colored ears, so the vein is super easy to see. We have had luck with the 30 gauge lancets, but alot of people reported struggling with that small. Are you using a lancet device or using the lancets by themselves? Alot of people reported not liking the lancet device, because you don't know for sure where it is going to prick.

I will tell you that over time, they become more used to it, it doesn't bother them as much, & they "teach" themselves to bleed easier. After pricking, you can also squeeze / milk the ear around the pricked site in order to help it ooze easier.

It gets better & remind yourself & the cat, that it is for their own good. Hang in there!
 
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