Testing Question

[Cinnie Cole]

I looked at the Testing and Shooting tips but I don't see which side of the ear to test. Do you test on the outside or the inside of the ear? Thanks!

 

[Cinnie Cole]

Follow up - poor Zoot! has suffered a lot with our using a lancing device. I finally got up the nerve to test freehand and was able to do it in one try. It is scary, but at least I could see where the needle was going. He was lying on his side, and he didn't try to get away at all when I did it. I am hopeful that it will be less painful and stressful for him (and me) now. I poked him on the furry side (outside) of his ear in the sweetspot that they show in the tips. I still would like to know if that is the correct side.

 

[Jerry dutchboy]

Follow up - poor Zoot! has suffered a lot with our using a lancing device. I finally got up the nerve to test freehand and was able to do it in one try. It is scary, but at least I could see where the needle was going. He was lying on his side, and he didn't try to get away at all when I did it. I am hopeful that it will be less painful and stressful for him (and me) now. I poked him on the furry side (outside) of his ear in the sweetspot that they show in the tips. I still would like to know if that is the correct side.

Well done. I alway poke on the outside ( the furry side) and I think most people do as well.

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

Yes on the furry side, I never used the device to test, always free hand so you could see where needle is going, good job on testing free hand, I'm sure Zoot will be less stressed , sometimes my cat is sound asleep and I test him and he doesn't even move lol

 

[Idjit's mom]

 

[nslade001]

Hi, you can poke on either side, the furry top side or the less furry bottom side(most do the furry"top"side ; either way poke around the "sweet spot" though I also go up to the tip area of her ear.

I mentally divide her ear into 3 sections (near the bottom(1)of the sweet spot, near the top(2) of her sweet spot, and near the tip(3)). Then I alternate ears left (l) and right (r) along with spots when I poke, so they get equal "wear" lol. Also learn that way where she bleeds best when I need it fast. So I start amps with L1, next poke is R1, then L2, R2 etc.

Last, I still put the Lancet in the device and hold the whole thing, instead of just holding the tiny Lancet; I just leave the tip/cover off and poke freehand. Whatever works for you both is fine.

I've used the nonfurry underside when it just doesn't seem to want to bead, or sometimes if I poke through the ear (still happens!) it beads better on the bottom and is easier to collect.
Hth, with love, nikki

 

[CandyH & Catcat]

there may be times when the prick goes too far through, and the blood beads up on the inside (skin side) of the ear -- you CAN collect the blood from there, either with the strip in the meter, or with a spoon, spatula, or your fingernail -- but most cats, including mine, shy or jerk away from something coming near the ear

make sure, too, to fold the cotton ball, cotton square, folded tissue, whatever, over the ear after you collect the droplet, hold it tightly for 20 - 30 seconds so the prick heals up, any excess blood is absorbed -- some immediately put Neosporin or equivalent on, some don't .. ECID !!!

 

[Cinnie Cole]

Hi, you can poke on either side, the furry top side or the less furry bottom side(most do the furry"top"side ; either way poke around the "sweet spot" though I also go up to the tip area of her ear.

I mentally divide her ear into 3 sections (near the bottom(1)of the sweet spot, near the top(2) of her sweet spot, and near the tip(3)). Then I alternate ears left (l) and right (r) along with spots when I poke, so they get equal "wear" lol. Also learn that way where she bleeds best when I need it fast. So I start amps with L1, next poke is R1, then L2, R2 etc.

Last, I still put the Lancet in the device and hold the whole thing, instead of just holding the tiny Lancet; I just leave the tip/cover off and poke freehand. Whatever works for you both is fine.

I've used the nonfurry underside when it just doesn't seem to want to bead, or sometimes if I poke through the ear (still happens!) it beads better on the bottom and is easier to collect.
Hth, with love, nikki

Yeah, I was constantly poking through, now I feel more in control. Will alternate similarly to what you suggest.

Speaking of beading - people said to use Vasoline but is Neosporin +Pain Relief ointment okay as well? Do either or both these have ingredients that might affect the values?

Thanks!

 

[Cinnie Cole]

there may be times when the prick goes too far through, and the blood beads up on the inside (skin side) of the ear -- you CAN collect the blood from there, either with the strip in the meter, or with a spoon, spatula, or your fingernail -- but most cats, including mine, shy or jerk away from something coming near the ear

make sure, too, to fold the cotton ball, cotton square, folded tissue, whatever, over the ear after you collect the droplet, hold it tightly for 20 - 30 seconds so the prick heals up, any excess blood is absorbed -- some immediately put Neosporin or equivalent on, some don't .. ECID !!!

I wasn't holding the ear that long, and his poor ears do look terrible. It makes me feel like such a bad mom. I only want him to be better .

 

[Idjit's mom]

Neither should affect the values, the pain relief ointment is petroleum based. I do not use the lancing device, I just use the lancet free hand, and go in at an angle, so I don't completely pierce the ear. I have read before about the bevel on the pointy end of the lancet and try hard to make sure I have it in hand properly.
This from CandyH and Catcat on another thread: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/...o-test-just-gave-insulin.215562/#post-2389187
"one thing I haven't heard mentioned (at least that I noticed) -- just as with the insulin injection, if you are looking at the lancet, you will see it is beveled (I find it hard to see even with reading glasses, but I look for the "shiny" side) -- you want the pointiest end of the bevel (am sure there's a technical word but you know what I mean) to go in first
so make sure the shiny bit is upwards, then the skinniest part of the lancet (or the insulin needle) will go in first, less painful, smoother insertion
if you're using a lancet device/pen, it's more difficult to spot this, but I think it makes a difference, both to you and the cat"

This from another member in a 2018 post: Make sure the bevel on the lancet is facing upwards and keep the lancet at an angle of about 45 degrees to the ear when doing the poke (much easier to do when freehanding).

 

[Idjit's mom]

I wasn't holding the ear that long, and his poor ears do look terrible. It makes me feel like such a bad mom. I only want him to be better .

You aren't a bad mom at all. It takes practice to be good at testing, and even long time members have problems sometimes. Not too long ago, I hit the vein in Idjit's ear and left a big bruise. I felt really bad too.
Maybe Zoot! will let you gently press a cold washcloth on that part of his ear to help reduce bruising and discomfort?

 

[Cinnie Cole]

You aren't a bad mom at all. It takes practice to be good at testing, and even long time members have problems sometimes. Not too long ago, I hit the vein in Idjit's ear and left a big bruise. I felt really bad too.
Maybe Zoot! will let you gently press a cold washcloth on that part of his ear to help reduce bruising and discomfort?

It worked really well this time - I made sure the bevel is up and get it first time. But as a result I dosed him about 10 minutes earlier than the last dose. I don;t know how strictly I need to be on the dosing schedule - do you all wait to dose exactly at the 12 hour time? Thanks so much all for this handholding!

 

[Idjit's mom]

Cinnie, I am not experienced enough to advise about dosing, but, in my opinion..only my opinion, I don't think 10 minutes is going to make a huge difference. It's difficult to dose exactly 12 hours each time, but it's the goal to get as close as possible, in my understanding. If there are significantly larger or lesser time spans before an injection, then dosing will be like an increase or decrease, and you want those to be intentional. I have read that some members need to change the dosing schedule and some move the shot time up 15 or 30 minutes each day, but I have never done this. The veteran members would be the best ones to advise on that.

 

[Cinnie Cole]

Cinnie, I am not experienced enough to advise about dosing, but, in my opinion..only my opinion, I don't think 10 minutes is going to make a huge difference. It's difficult to dose exactly 12 hours each time, but it's the goal to get as close as possible, in my understanding. If there are significantly larger or lesser time spans before an injection, then dosing will be like an increase or decrease, and you want those to be intentional. I have read that some members need to change the dosing schedule and some move the shot time up 15 or 30 minutes each day, but I have never done this. The veteran members would be the best ones to advise on that.

Thanks!