Testing

[Thelma & Sinbad]

I have tried to test Sinbad for weeks now, but not able to get any blood amount that would read on the meter. I have changed the lancet size, but still not able to get enough. This is a picture of his ear in an area that I attempted just once! Looking at the mark on his ear, I am very hesitant to try again. I don't want him to suffer because I am trying myto keep an eye on his BG. This is simply frustrating!!

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

The place you want to aim for is the "Sweet spot" along the edge, not so much in the "middle" of the ear. It's also important to make sure the ear is warm before you try. A small sock filled with rice and microwaved for 15-20 seconds or a small pill bottle filled with warm water are both great ways to warm the ear first. (Test on your wrist for temperature like you would a baby bottle)

As you poke more and more, new capillaries will grow in and it'll become easier and easier to get that precious blood drop! I think I could just LOOK at China's ear and it'd bleed now.....LOL

Once you've got the drop, make sure you apply some gentle pressure for several seconds to minimize bruising

Hang in there! You can do this!

 

[Cat Ma]

Looks like you hit the vein, which is what most of us have done and our cats survived. CJ's ears looked like Sinbad's ears when I was starting out and I thought I had damaged her ear for life but the ear heals quickly. Cats have few nerve receptors in their ears, hence the poking isn't painful. If you haven't already done so, put a tiny dab of neosporin or polysporin on the area you poked. Aiming for the sweet spot, as Chris shows above, will minimize the chance of hitting the vein.

Neosporin or polysporin is also great for beading up blood so you can get it on the strip more easily. Just be sure to put a very tiny amount on with a q-tip; too much ointment will affect BG readings.


Don't let this discourage you. You will get it right!

 

[granadilla]

It helps me if I put a thin layer of vaseline or polysporin (the clear ointment, not the white cream) on the ear before I poke. That helps the blood bead up. Otherwise it can spread out into the fur.

When I was first testing, I saw a post that also helped because Marshmallow (like all cats) didn't like having her ears messed with: rub his ears and then give him a treat when you're NOT testing him. That way he'll get used to having his ears touched and won't be as fussy when you try to test him. That will make it easier for you, and if you're less stressed about it then he'll be less anxious... it's a cycle.

Don't worry, you will get the hang of it. I thought I never would but both Marshmallow and I have adjusted.

 

[MrWorfMen's Mom]

I'm so sorry you are having trouble testing Sinbad. We can help. It looks like a bruise on his ear and while it looks bad, it will go away!

We've all been there through this so take a deep breath and we'll get you started.

Are you using a lancing device to test? If so, are you trying to use it with the cap on? If you take the cap off you will have a better view of where you are poking Sinbad. Most of us who use the lancing device take the cap off. some people just use the lancets free hand.

What is the gauge of the lancets you are using? There should be a number between 26 and 31 on the box somewhere. If the device/lancets came with your meter there is a very good chance the lancets are a 30 or 31 gauge which is very small, and works fine for human fingers but doesn't work as well for kitty ears. You really need to get lancets that are 26-28 gauge.

Make sure Sinbad's ear is warm before you poke. You can put some rice in an old sock and warm it in a microwave for a few seconds. (Just make sure it isn't too hot). Hold this on Sinbad's ear for half to 1 minute before testing. It will get the blood flowing.

Last but not least, it looks like you were using the tip of Sinbad's ear. You want to poke the ear along the outer ridge between the edge and the vein. If you get a flashlight and hold it behind Sinbad's ear you'll see where the vein is. You don't want to poke the vein but just beside it toward the outer edge of the ear. You can poke from either the outside or the inside of the ear. The inside is easier to see where you are poking as there is less fur.

Here is a link to some information about testing and links to pictures of the "sweet spot", videos etc. I'm sure you will find these helpful and if you need any more help, just holler. There's always someone here to help.

Let us know how you get on.

 

[Thelma & Sinbad]

Thank you everyone. Yes, I was using 31, but switched to 26. I also warm his ear. It helps that I place him in my lap - it seems to calm him (or maybe me). I also give him a treat so that he does not associate the testing as something bad. I never thought taking the cap off - that's a great suggestion. I forgot to use the Neosporin/Vaseline, but believe me I will next time. The vet recommended against testing at home, now I understand why.

 

[Shiloh & Rhonda (GA)]

You will get this! And just my two cents, your vet probably recommended against home testing because a lot of pet parents don't want to take the time to do it, I had more there, but not going to bash the vet without knowing anything about them.

 

[Cat Ma]

Many vets simply aren't familiar with home testing. Mine wasn't and didn't know how to even home test till a tech showed him how easy it was. Other vets are simply set in their ways and insist the vet way is the only way and will try to talk you out of home testing. But if you want a well-regulated cat and want to avoid unnecessary, expensive vet and emergency visits, home testing is the way to go.

Do try the ointment. It makes the job of beading up the blood easier.

One day soon, you'll be guiding newbies here and telling them it gets easier!

 

[Thelma & Sinbad]

I hope that day is sooner than later. I understand negative feelings about vets. I learned the hard way to be very selective when it comes to choosing an animal doctor. Sinbad has a great doc now I truly appreciate and trust her. Home testing should and will continue in my house... just need to learn how, lol.

 

[heyhollis]

My Jai Jai hates pricking his ear so much, and I previously hit on his vein instead of the sweet spot because it was the way the vet assistant taught me. His ears had a lot of bruises but I managed to use some extra-virgin coconut oil on them. Coconut oil is anti-inflammatory, speeds up the healing time needed. Please give it a try if you wish to.