Trouble with ear prick

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Jessica & furbaby Indie

Jessica & furbaby Indie

Member Since 2016
I am on my fourth round of bg testing and still have not had one single successful reading. Which means still no insulin shots. So every day I can't get a bg test, she can't get insulin. I feel like a failure and as though I am letting her down.

What is this sweet spot you all speak of? Am sure I could Google but saw u mention before and thought might as well ask you all directly :)

I am using the AlphaTRAK 2 at the 3 setting. With I believe 28 guage lancets and am using the device as I at this point am not comfortable using just the lancet.

I have received countless tips on the FB page and am forever grateful but still no success :(

Am curious how everyone gets blood eventhough my girls vein is as thin as the needle. And I can't hold the flashlight while doing it. So I have to flash the light, put it down. Then try and use the lancet device. How can I ensure accuracy??
 
You don't need to hit the vein... I used to use the device the first week.... But it's so much easier to be accurate freehand. The sweet spot is actually the outer edge of the ear.... Think between the vein and the outside. For me about a third of the way down from the tip. I have also found it easier if I rub the ear between my finger first. I also find it easier to get a drop of I poke from the furry outside then from the less hairy inside of her ear. I put a cotton pad on the inside and just poke... All the way through is FINE... And she doesn't seem to feel it any more than a shallow poke.
 
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Hi Jlynn,
Jlynn said:
I feel like a failure and as though I am letting her down.
Click to expand...
You're absolutely not a "failure".
You're a person who's trying as hard as possible to do the best for her kitty; and that makes you a 'success'. So, please be kind to yourself. :bighug:

Re where to prick, generally speaking you're looking to use the outer edge of the ear, probably from half way up. But some kitties' ears may bleed better a little lower or higher. (I often have most success close to the tip of the ears on my own diabetic boy.)

Some people are very specific about exactly where they aim the lancet. But my close vision isn't great, so I just aim in the general direction and hope for the best. This somewhat haphazard technique has served me well for nine and a a half years... ;)
Again, because my close vision isn't good, I use the lancet pen thingy rather than using the lancet freehand. But it really is a matter of what works best for you.

A few things that I learned:
1. Warm ears. Ears bleed so much more easily if they've warm. If they don't feel warm to the touch then briefly massaging can stimulate blood flow. Or you can hold something warm (ie a pill bottle filled with warm water) against the inside of the ear.
2. Resistance. The lancet needs something to 'resist' otherwise it can push the ear away rather than prick through it. Some folks hold a little bit of cotton wool or folded tissue against the underside of the ear, opposite to where they're pricking. I usually use a finger tip, but sometimes get blood from myself that way too..)
3. Two ear pricks can be better than one. Two ear pricks close together can often produce enough blood for a test where one ear prick might not.
4. Massaging below the ear prick with fingers and thumb can 'milk' more blood out. I almost always do this unless the ear is especially warm.
5. Vaseline: A teensy weensy smear of vaseline on the outer edge of the ear can help the blood to 'bead up' rather than disappear into the fur. My cat has black ears too, and in the early days I found it so much easier to see the blood droplet because of it 'sitting on top' of the vaseline.
6. Get comfortable. I find it much easier to test if I pop Bertie up onto my desk or a counter top. I find it easier to see what I'm doing, and I'm physically more comfortable. And my desk lamp is a good source of local light. ..Some people prefer to put their kitty on their lap, or are happy to test if the kitty is sitting alongside them. Find out what works best for you.
7. Remember to breathe... The more relaxed you are about the process the more relaxed your kitty is likely to be. Take deep breaths. Approach the situation in a 'matter of fact' kind of way if you can.
8. Rewards. Always reward the kitty for every attempted test, whether successful or not.

I use treats during the test itself. I crumble a few for Bertie and then test him while he's hoovering them up.

Note: A minority of people actually find it easier to test the paw pads rather than the ears. If that's something you'd like to try there are 'paw testers' here who can help you.

I absolutely believe you can do this. :cat:

Reassuring hugs to you,

Eliz
 
Last edited:
Jlynn said:
I am on my fourth round of bg testing and still have not had one single successful reading. Which means still no insulin shots. So every day I can't get a bg test, she can't get insulin. I feel like a failure and as though I am letting her down.

What is this sweet spot you all speak of? Am sure I could Google but saw u mention before and thought might as well ask you all directly :)

I am using the AlphaTRAK 2 at the 3 setting. With I believe 28 guage lancets and am using the device as I at this point am not comfortable using just the lancet.

I have received countless tips on the FB page and am forever grateful but still no success :(

Am curious how everyone gets blood eventhough my girls vein is as thin as the needle. And I can't hold the flashlight while doing it. So I have to flash the light, put it down. Then try and use the lancet device. How can I ensure accuracy??
Click to expand...

NO NEED TO HIT VEIN :)
oh dear no need to aim for the vein. dont worry about it. in fact if you hit the vein you'll get more blood than you need. i used to think the same thing - that i'd have to hit the vein. janetNJ's pic above shows its really the outer edge anywhere in that vicinity that you aim for is fine.

AS TO THE FLASHLIGHT :)
i look like a total geek at testing time. know what i bought? a miner's lamp. my boy is black as you can see and its impossible to see what i'm doing. leaves my hands free and has been a huge help. i also wear it when i give him his insulin. this isnt the brand i got but this is the idea
https://smile.amazon.com/Energizer-Vision-Headlamp-Batteries-Included/dp/B00TI8GSHY/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1471443996&sr=8-8&keywords=headband light
not much money. i suggest you make your life easier and get one if you can, or if you've got a penlight you can hold it between your teeth. i did that first but it wasnt ideal, so i dragged out my old headlamp and all is well.

:) and yes make sure you are holding a little cotton ball or folded gauze or something on the opposite side of the ear to give resistance, otherwise the ear just sort of flaps out of the way from the lancet. stated above as #2 in elizabeth&bertie's post.

HANG IN THERE it takes time and practice. you will get better.
 
I think I am having the same problem. I haven't gotten any good tests and haven't started insulin but I know he isn't right and needs it. I hope to follow this advice and retest tonight. Thanks and good luck to you too!
 
I read the comments but never thanked all of you. I was finally able to get a bg reading!! And have been ever since. Was beyond happy and all of your tips and words of wisdom were what helped. So thank you!!!! :-)
 
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