Very hard getting blood

[Noah & me (GA)]

Our current patient had a brother, also diabetic, who you might have to "poke" twice to get a big enough sample but it he never a problem. This is the problem with Noah; he has one tiny vein in his left ear and it is the only place I've had success with. I've never had any luck with his right ear. I've even used a small flashlight to back-light his ears and I cringe when I tell you I sometimes have to poke him 5 times. I rub his ear prior to testing. I use an Aviva Accuchek which only needs an incredibly small sample and I use 33 gauge lancets. Is it possible to push the vein aside with the lancet? Has anyone had better luck with a thicker lancet? I've seen videos of people getting blood from a paw pad but that seems like washing your dishes in a toilet!

 

[Misterbeesmom]

those lancets could very well be too small. i dont have good luck with small lancets. i use 28g. i suggest using a 28g and see if that helps.

i used to think we had to aim for the vein. this was a misunderstanding. have you seen the pic of the "sweet spot"?

are you holding behind where you lance, to support the ear and make sure it doesnt flick away when poking? i either put my own finger or hold a little piece of paper towel on opposite side of where i am poking.

a warm ear works best. if mr b's ear tips are cool, i cup my hand around the ear and gently exhale from mouth my warm breath onto ear. he not only seems to really enjoy this, but it warms up fast.

 

[MrWorfMen's Mom]

Hi Nigel. Most of us use gauge 26-28 lancets at least early in the game. As time goes on they grow more capillaries and do start to bleed better but honestly, while most of the time I can get enough with one poke, there are times a second poke is needed here too. My girl is black and it's hard to see the blood bead so the other trick I learned here is to put a very tiny skim coat of Vaseline on the spot you intend to poke and that helps keep the blood from just going into the fur so you can snag it better. Make sure you keep the ear well supported too but use a Kleenex or makeup pad behind to protect your finger.

 

[Larry and Kitties]

I use 33 gauge lancets.

That is the problem.
I use 28 gauge and sometime 30 gauge. 33 gauge is too small dimeter.
The 28 gauge one are typically marked for alternate site testing in humans. The preferred site for humans are the finger tips and "alternate" is any other site
https://www.bd.com/us/diabetes/blood-glucose-monitoring/how-to-test/alternate-site/

 

[Misterbeesmom]

yes, and i'll add i end up poking sometimes twice but rarely more than that, so repeated pokes is a thing sometimes necessary.

but i do think your gauge is too small.