Trying to start home testing

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Kara & Ember

Kara & Ember

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So, I’ve not tried doing home testing before (I’ve just been using a libre) but I really can’t afford to keep doing that, and I hate being at the mercy of the infernal device if it decides to act up on me and die early. So today I bought a ReliOn Classic, and have started trying to get her used to seeing the kit, sitting still while I futz with her ear, and then giving her treats. I bought 33g and 30g lancets (hoping to just use the 33 because she abhors needle pokes, even her insulin shot (31g) she screams about, but bought the 30s too since it was only $2 and ive seen people say to use bigger needles at first) - I’ve done 3 test runs (no poking, just sitting and messing with stuff pretending to go through the motions), plus one poke (that didn’t yield any blood, so i dont think i did my part very well). She’s been handling it pretty well so far, which I’m pleased with.

but the question i had was:
Some threads/videos mention using neosporin, but others say this is toxic to cats? Should I be using this? Should I be using something else (either before the poke, after, or both)?

and wanted to confirm i want to do the outside of her ear? i.e., using her left ear, facing the same direction as her, I want to use the left side near the top, and not the right side which is closer to her right ear?
I’ve read the “tips and how tos” listed on the forums, know about using a light to find the vein, to NOT poke the vein, but between it and the edge of the ear, but i saw a vein all the way around so wanted to confirm the correct side.
 
When first starting you really need size 26 or 28 gauge lancets.
No don’t use the neosporin. You shouldn’t need it.
When the cat is facing the same way as you are poke on the hair side of the cat and the outer side. ie the left side which is away from the head on the left ear.
If you shine a torch behind the ear you will see the vein run right around the ear. Try to poke between the vein and the edge of the ear
 
Always aim for the sweet spot warm the ears up first, you can put rice in a sock and put it in the microwave, test it on the inside of your wrist to be sure it's not to hot, like you would test a babies bottle. You can fill a pill bottle with warm water and roll it on the ears also.Just keep rubbing the ears with your fingers to warm them up
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6. As the ears get used to bleeding and grow more capilares, it gets easier to get the amount of blood you need on the first try. If he won’t stand still, you can get the blood onto a clean finger nail and test from there.
When you do get some blood you can try milking the ear.
Get you finger and gently push up toward the blood , more will appear
You will put the cotton round behind his ear in case you poke your finger, after you are done testing you will fold the cotton round over his ear to stop the bleeding , press gently for about 10 or 20 seconds until it stops
Get 26 or 28 gauge lancets
A lot of us use the lancets to test freehand not the lancing device
I find it better to see where I'm aiming
Look at the lancet under a light and you will see one side is curved upward, that's the side you want to poke with

Try putting a thin layer of Vaseline on the ear so the blood will bead up
 
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