Trying to test at home... NO BLOOD!!!

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Nicole

Member Since 2015
Ok so I can't seem to do this right. I've tried the ear and side of paw pad and I'm not getting enough blood for a reading, any tips?
 
Hi Nicole.

Getting blood samples can be a bit tricky at first. Are you warming the ear? If yes, try warming it for a little bit longer. Also, it helps to smear a little Vaseline on the test site to help the blood form a little 'bead' instead of wicking out into the fur.
 
Hi. Sorry for not getting back to you till now. You can make a little warming bag with rice and a small, fine-weave sock. Simply put the rice grains into the sock and tie it off with a rubber band or a piece of wool/string. Then you can microwave it to warm it up. Alternatively, if you have a small plastic pill bottle, you could fill that with some warmed water. A third way would be to soak some cotton wool or a small cloth in warmed water, put it into a plastic bag and then apply to the ear. Whatever method you choose, remember to check the temperature on the inside of your wrist or on your neck to make sure it's not too hot before warming your little one's ear (just like you would if checking the temperature of a baby's bottle).
 
Hi Nicole and welcome to FDMB,

I made a rice sock and use it every time. It really does help.

Also, a 27-29 gauge Lancet helps too. I started getting blood easier when I switched Lancets.

You can also use Neosporin + pain relief on his ear instead of the vasoline but both work fine.

It takes about 2 weeks to get the hang of it. Also, the more you test, his little ear will make more capillaries and that will make it easier to get a blood spot.

Keep trying, you're doing fine. You're keeping your sugar kitty safe by doing home testing.

Any other questions, just ask away.

Kimmie
 
Definitely rice sock. I put some rice into a sock and tied a knot in the sock. I microwave it for 30 seconds. Apply to ear while scritching chin for 30 seconds to a minute, until ear is warm to the touch.

Funny moment: before Nipper was diagnosed, I had the testing kit in my end table drawer for Scout's monthly OTJ check. My partner and I were sitting on the couch talking about how I wanted to learn to juggle. He said, "What you really need is a sock filled with rice." Without getting up from the couch, I reached into the drawer and pulled out... a sock filled with rice. He looked at me like I was some kind of wizard. :cat:
 
See my signature link Secondary Monitoring Tools for addition assessments you can make to monitor his health status, particularly urine ketone and glucose monitoring.
 
I want to add my love for the warm rice sock. I had made little hand warmers (just cotton circles filled with rice) for all the women in my family as gifts a few years ago that they could microwave and put in their coat pockets/gloves. I now use mine on Tasha's ear. I've noticed a big difference in the willingness to bleed if it's not warmed up properly.

Or maybe your kitty is some kind of vampire? You may need to consider the possibility. ;)
 
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