Update: Struggling (a little less) with home testing

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knolet

knolet

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Yesterday was the first day that I had tried home testing, and I tried doing the curve test as well because we're going back to the Vet this week and I wanted to be able to show him some results. In hindsight, I don't think it was the best thing to try a curve when Zeus and I were both so new to it. It was hard for both of us.

I've only tested once today, and it wasn't a good experience. Had to poke him 4 times, wasted three strips, and I think I may have contaminated the last one - you aren't supposed to touch the end are you? (although watching youtube, people have held the strips every which way - including the end, so maybe it doesn't matter? I'm sorry for being so stupid about this) Everytime I thought I'd have enough blood, and tried to pick up the meter, he'd shake and there goes the blood. I really wish I had a couple extra hands. But his number was 197 at +6. Yesterday it ranged between 295 to 338 with only one dip down to 265.

I've watched tons of youtube videos about how to test the blood, but their cats all sit still for it... Zeus does not. I wasn't able to find any where the cats don't behave so nicely. If anyone has a link to some that I could watch, I'd so much appreciate it.

Thanks!
Kathie
 
Re: Struggling with home testing

Actually you're doing good! I agree, a curve isn't the ideal way to start testing. Don't worry about contaminating the strips, I handle them by the sides. If you look at them,

The strip is usually slick on 2 sides with 'something' sandwiched between - maybe cardboard? plastic?

one end is more like a tiny motherboard - it makes the techy stuff inside the meter work when you plug it in. Since it's small, things like a dirt bit can affect that.

The other end is actually an open slot in the center material with coverings on each side - this is what causes the 'sip' or syphon action. If you scrape it over your skin you MIGHT get something in that slot but normal handling won't as long as you use 'normal' caution.

Head flicking - luckily KT's only done that a few times but others do it lots. When you get the blood, quickly transfer it to the back of your fingernail rather than trying to get the meter and then the blood. It's fine to do it that way.

ALL of us have walked your SAME shoes - there's NO 'STUPID' questions other than the ones not asked! Ask away!

Hope this all helps a bit....TREATS....LOTS of low carb TREATS! He will learn soon too! When you feel yourself getting frustrated, quit and just pet for a bit, your frustration transfers to him.

HUGS!
 
Re: Struggling with home testing

In the beginning, we used a kitty burrito on Oliver. We'd plop him down on a towel on the couch next to the arm. Then wrap him up until only his head was showing. When I was testing alone, I could lightly press him into the arm and keep him there.

The fingernail tip is a great one. Are you sure warming the ear? That is so important in the beginning - you might need to warm it for a minute or more. What size lancets? The 31 gauge are often too small at first; 25-27 gauge may work better.

Don't get the idea that everyone here got this right the first time and made a video. :lol: We spent an entire weekend poking poor Oliver before we got a drop. The lancet size and heating the ear made the difference for us. It is a difficult thing to master and takes practice. You will get the routine that works for the two of you and it will get easier each time - promise.

Meanwhile, 3 tries and quit. Time for treats for Kitty and parent.

PS If you want to have some numbers for the vet (and I think that is a great idea. His numbers are likely to be higher than yours), how about changing the appointment for a few days on. That will give you more time to get used to this process.
 
Re: Struggling with home testing

Thank you so much for the kind words, and the advice. I will try the fingernail next time.... I think that will be easier than trying to hold Zeus, hold his ear, push the strip in and grab the meter :YMSIGH: I tried the kitty burrito once, it didn't work well, but I was trying to hold him in my lap. I'll try the burrito using the arm of the couch, thanks for the suggestion. That's how I started giving his shots (minus the burrito) and it worked well, not sure why I didn't think to try it for the bg test.

Warming the ear? Yes and no. I have been, but it seems not for long enough... note to self, must be more patient and not try to rush it.... it's just that Zeus doesn't like to be "held against his will" :-D Also, I bought the wrong lancets :cry: I got the 30 guage ultra-thin. I was thinking thinner would be better - less pain, like with the needles. I'll have to put these away, and get the lower guage ones. I can use these when Zeus becomes a better bleeder. :smile: I did poke myself several times today to test the lancing device, I got blood each time. I was wondering if there was something wrong with it since I wasn't getting blood from Zeus.

Anyway, thank you again. I appreciate the support and the advice. This board is great, and the members are wonderful. I've learned a lot already from all of you. Thank you, thank you!!!
 
Re: Struggling with home testing

Hershey has never given Doug a problem, but the cats seem to know he's a no nonsense kind of guy. ;-) I always turn the lamp on, get the lancet ready and the strip pushed in before putting Hershey in my lap. I use a rocker/recliner (the arms help him feel confined, reminding him to stay with me ;-) ), cross my legs 'man-style' around him and rub his head area (partly my sneaky way of checking his ears to see how warm they are). In one motion, I reach across the top of head and hold his ear, using the other hand to put the folded napkin in place, then put a little Vaseline on his ear and POKE! We've been doing this since Jan (I've been testing since the end of Jan) so we've had a good deal of practice and it DOES get easier! :smile: Initially, I had to turn the gauge on the lancet pen to '4' - now use it on '1' or '2.' He's gotten so used to the routine that he comes when he hears me click the lamp on. :-D And, one of my biggest problems was not using enough pressure when I go to poke.

And, yes, we wasted some strips in the beginning...and still waste some...it happens. Another reason it's good we switched to a meter that uses cheaper strips! :-D :-D

Take care and keep telling yourself 'it WILL get easier!'

Libby (and Hershey, too!)
 
Re: Struggling with home testing

I crunch up freeze dried chicken while I warm Missy's ear. She doesn't pay much attention to what I am doing, because she is so intent on her 'kitty crack'. I have a dish on the floor and kneel over her, one leg on each side and legs crossed behind her, so she can't back out. But for me, just a couple pieces of kitty crack keeps her so occupied, she doesn't care what I am doing. And it DOES get easier, have no fear. SHE comes to find ME, when it is time to do a a shot, if I am running late. You'll get your routine down and it will be 'easy' in no time.
 
Thanks to everyone for the great suggestions - last night I was able to get the blood on my fingernail, and it worked OK. This morning, I warmed the ear for longer, and it was better. I don't think I heated the rice sock up enough though.... it was barely warm on one side and cool on the other. Tonight, I warmed the sock a bit longer, and decided to give it a try on a blanket on the floor - had all the supplies waiting for me. Warmed Zeus' ear with him between my knees, and then the poke and the meter. He did shake a couple of times, but I was better able to control him and everything else that I was doing. It seemed so much quicker and easier tonight. Thank you, thank you, thank you :-D Your advice and support was purr-fect.

Hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day. I went shopping for low-carb cat treats. Glad I had something special to give Zeus tonight. He didn't like the freeze dried salmon, but loved the chicken.
Kathie
 
knolet said:
I've watched tons of youtube videos about how to test the blood, but their cats all sit still for it... Zeus does not. I wasn't able to find any where the cats don't behave so nicely.
Click to expand...


I can assure you, none of those You Tube videos were made on the first day of testing. Remember, this is a new experience for your cat and some take longer than others to adjust to it.

Boo was a difficult cat until we sat down one day and had the talk, where I told him that I was making this decision totest him as the mom and he was just going to have to learn to deal with it. He seemed to get much better shortly after that.
 
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