Trouble lancing: using free-poke

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SamsonsMom

SamsonsMom

Member Since 2017
I've having a dog of a time getting any blood at all to surface from my cat's ear even tho I warm it sufficiently with my hand and with the warm rice-filled sock, and it's hard for me to torture him for more than 10 min so I'm not getting enough BG readings. I'm using the free-poke method and a 28 gauge lancet. Should I change something at least for the beginning until it gets easier? A bigger lancet? Should I use the ReliOn lancing device I have? If so, what "lance depth" should I use, from 1-7? Thanks in advance for any guidance!
 
I use a 26 gauge lancet for Smoky.
I use the first or second setting on my relion lancing device. I have a terrible time trying to freelance with him.
 
Or are there any other 26 gauge lancets that will fit in the ReliOn lancing device? I have one that looks like a OneTouch, I can't find the exact image online.
 
Relion is a Walmart brand but I never tried to buy the lancets anywhere else except Walmart and other online sites. Check out ADW and total diabetes supply websites.
 
SamsonsMom said:
Or are there any other 26 gauge lancets that will fit in the ReliOn lancing device? I have one that looks like a OneTouch, I can't find the exact image online.
Click to expand...

I started out with the Relion 26 gauge lancets without using the device, without having much luck. I ordered the Care Touch lancing device from Amazon and the Relion lancets fit it. Buddy does not mind the click of the device but it made one of the other cats 'jump' a little every time. I'm also a diabetic myself and tried the Delica lancing device that came with my OneTouch meter, but I did have much luck with it. I don't know if the lancet gauge was too fine or the depth wasn't sufficient. I don't think that the OneTouch lancing devices use the 'standard' type of lancets (I have two different lancing devices that came with my OneTouch UltraMini meters, and they both use the same type of lancet).

Good luck!
 
I haven't had much luck free-handing it, but the lancet device that came with my AlphaTrak2 works really well--and much to my surprise, the click doesn't seem to bother my kitty at all!
 
You're all lucky. Noah only has one ear that can be poked and if you miss that teensy tiny spot he'll let you know it. I free-hand with a 28 gauge AccuChek. I've often wondered if there's a safe/non toxic magic marker that I can mark his ear with, the spot really is that small!
 
Or a "Tramp Stamp". I don't see the attraction in that at all, apologies to anyone with one. Just get it burnt off with a laser, 5 minutes and no pain at all! On the other hand, as my 60th birthday approaches I'm getting a lot more hair growing out of my ears. I blame those stupid bathroom mirrors that magnify everything. Every morning it's something else, "Oh now what, is that a hair or a tree stump?"
 
We free hand with no issues but if your having trouble and still prefer to free hand you may want to try using the terumo needles 25 gauge....they work great and they are so sharp I wouldn't even call it a poke. I barely graze Dre's ear and have blood.
 
SamsonsMom, did I give you link to Sieden's video testing Peanut? I think she mentions setting 4 on lancing device. Can you get a picture of where you are poking?
 
ear_01.JPG
 
I didn't get notifications for any of these responses! Thanks, all, for weighing in. The 26 g. lancets arrived yesterday and I just used my lancing device with Samson and got a drop of blood IMMEDIATELY. He's a cat who doesn't get easily bothered (thank god - if I had to go thru this rigamarole with my other cat, Boo, who is a princess, it would be a SNAFU) - so he doesn't care about the click. I think I'm on my way to more regular testing! :D However, the reading I just got was 378 :'(

Noah and Me, in the photo above, are we looking at the ear from the front or the back? Ie, is that "sweet spot" on the right or the left of the ear? THANKS!
 
Noah & Me can confirm, but I think in that picture we're seeing is looking at the ear from the back. If not, I'll be interested to know! But I've found that I have to alternate sites all along the rim of the ear in order to avoid bruising a single area too much. I need to get some of these good lancets; maybe then it wouldn't be a problem. I have also read people saying that if your cat's ear is really furry and it's hard to see what you are aiming at, it's ok to poke from the inside of the ear (the hairless part) rather than from the outside.
 
The picture is from the outside because it's easier to poke rather than trying to fold the ear to poke inside. Whichever is easier for you and Samson :). I would suggest if you go inside ear route, use a little alcohol wipe to clean it before poking and apply some neosporin (just a dot) after. ;) If Samson has darker fur ears (love if you get a picture of him for your avatar :cat:) you can use a little flashlight or bright desk lamp to shine on the inside, it will help you see the marginal vein better from the outside.
 
SamsonsMom said:
@Noah & me Hi! Is the illustration above looking at the cat's ear from the outside (the furry part) or the inside (the non furry part)? thanks!
Click to expand...
It works either way. The trick is finding, and remembering, where the cat doesn't flinch and you get enough blood. Thankfully most meters now only need the tiniest amount of blood and N2CATS, no two cats are the same. It's more art than science. In all these years I've only gotten blood from Noah's right ear 3 or 4 times. You don't need to hit that vein that runs along the outside edge, that hurts. Sometimes with Noah I barely touch him and get a good result. I've also gone right through his ear more times than I care to admit. The drawing is meant to get the point across to stay away from the tip, the part of the ear closest to his head and especially the base. Don't get discouraged, we've all poked big holes in our cats. Amazing they don't run into the basement when they see you coming with a nail and hammer.
 
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