? Suddenly less blood for testing

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Sugar’s Mama

Sugar’s Mama

Member Since 2022
Hello!

Over the past 3-4 days when we test Sugar's ear it is a VERY small droplet. So small that we often have to prick him 2-3 times to get enough to test. You will see very few tests over the last couple days on our spreadsheet because I don't want to keep stabbing him! We tried warming his ear up (which we didn't do before with many successful pokes). Is there any reason this is happening? Should I be concerned? Before I buy another lancet device (which could be the problem?), is there anything else I can try?

Thanks!
 
I have been noticing the same thing with Taz. I started switching to his other ear, which he hates. I think in his case, the area that we've been testing for months is bruised? I'm interested in hearing others experiences though.
 
I rotate ears often but maybe the 'sweet spot' is getting bruised/tougher? I thought their ears were supposed to build up more capillaries to bleed easier.

Love your head butt photo! So sweet!
 
Sugar’s Mama said:
I rotate ears often but maybe the 'sweet spot' is getting bruised/tougher? I thought their ears were supposed to build up more capillaries to bleed easier.

Love your head butt photo! So sweet!
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I thought so too. That's why I thought maybe bruising was affecting it. Sometimes his normal ear bleeds really well, but sometimes it takes several tries. It makes me feel really bad.

Thank you. That's one of my favorite photos of Taz. :)
 
I could only use Noah's left ear, it was as if the right ear was dead. Once a week he'd flinch and I'd shred the poor guy's ear but he never panicked when he saw me coming. I always used a paper towel damp with warm water to compress his ear after testing. I did all this freehand but I doubt the lancet device is the cause. Are you using any kind of antibiotic ointment? I'm on my first coffee, what to use will come to me in a few hours.

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No antibiotic use for now. He seems to heal quickly and only once was his ear bleeding beyond a drop. Should I add it into our routine? Do you use this daily or occasionally?

Last night and this morning while testing the droplet was a normal/testable size. So, perhaps it was just a weird couple of days.
 
I was told by somebody here, that if the drop isn’t big enough, you can kind of squeeze the blood up from lower in the hear, like getting the gravy out of a packet of cat food. It does work sometimes. Also a little Vaseline on the ear first helps it bead up and not get absorbed by the fur.
 
if you're using a lancet device, make sure you're not accidentally adjusting the depth of the poke so it's no longer deep enough. We had a member who suddenly could not get enough blood and that was the cause. They never realized the device even has a setting for depth, and had inadvertently adjusted it down.
 
Merlin’sMama said:
I was told by somebody here, that if the drop isn’t big enough, you can kind of squeeze the blood up from lower in the hear, like getting the gravy out of a packet of cat food. It does work sometimes. Also a little Vaseline on the ear first helps it bead up and not get absorbed by the fur.
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I have found this to work! But, just not over those three days of teeny-tiny drops.

I haven't tried Vaseline but have seen it mentioned. Do you wash it off after?
 
Hendrick Cuddleclaw said:
if you're using a lancet device, make sure you're not accidentally adjusting the depth of the poke so it's no longer deep enough. We had a member who suddenly could not get enough blood and that was the cause. They never realized the device even has a setting for depth, and had inadvertently adjusted it down.
Click to expand...
Thanks for this suggestion, though it wasn't our problem this time I can totally see how someone new to the lancet device wouldn't notice. I think it took me a couple of days to realize.
 
Sugar’s Mama said:
I have found this to work! But, just not over those three days of teeny-tiny drops.

I haven't tried Vaseline but have seen it mentioned. Do you wash it off after?
Click to expand...

I honestly cannot imagine out doing it without Vaseline, we tried and tried and were never successful without it. We use cotton rounds and wipe off any residual Vaseline afterwards yes. It only takes a tiny amount to help the droplet bead up and not get lost in the fur. but if the droplet is too tiny to begin with, Vaseline won't help
 
When I test I usually wipe the excess petroleum jelly off but I only “wash” her ears every few days. The jelly’s non toxic and my line of reasoning is it helps keep her ears moisturized which “should” help healing and can help prevent scaring. Putting slight pressure on after your done also helps. I always use a lancing device because my hands are large and clumsy and the last time I tried to freehand it left a mark for a month and a half (went too deep then she flinched and it nicked the vein). Oreos ears only just started to get easier to bleed after a total of like 120 test.
 
Sugar’s Mama said:
No antibiotic use for now. He seems to heal quickly and only once was his ear bleeding beyond a drop. Should I add it into our routine? Do you use this daily or occasionally?

Last night and this morning while testing the droplet was a normal/testable size. So, perhaps it was just a weird couple of days.
Click to expand...
If it happens again, yes, you can kind of "milk" the ear a bit to gently squeeze up enough blood for a test.
 
Sugar’s Mama said:
Hello!

Over the past 3-4 days when we test Sugar's ear it is a VERY small droplet. So small that we often have to prick him 2-3 times to get enough to test. You will see very few tests over the last couple days on our spreadsheet because I don't want to keep stabbing him! We tried warming his ear up (which we didn't do before with many successful pokes). Is there any reason this is happening? Should I be concerned? Before I buy another lancet device (which could be the problem?), is there anything else I can try?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
It’s not unusual for one ear to bleed much better than the other.
 
I cannot get enough blood without multiple pokes.and sometimes the sensor times out as I try to get more blood then I have to start all over again so one BG test can result over 6 pokes and well no wonder he’s getting upset. His little ears are so bruised. He’s becoming wary and head shy. I really hope they start to bleed easier. Will hunt for thicker gauge lancets today. Local drug store only had the thinnest.
 
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