What do do when you just can't get a blood sample to test

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Mystery

Mystery

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This morning, Beauregard was tolerant enough for two ear pokes, neither of which resulted in a blood drop. I haven't quite got the hang of that whole thing yet, obviously. By the third attempt, he had been tolerant for about 10 minutes, and had had quite enough, so he bit and scratched me (I need a transfusion!), and took off. He wandered back into the kitchen, and I tried to swoop him up for another test, but he scratched again and this time he kind of growled too and he never does that so I gave up trying to test this morning. By this time, he was already around 30 minutes overdue. I gave him his breakfast and a shot of .5 units (Prozinc U40), the same as he had yesterday morning, and then yesterday evening's test was 268 so I'm fairly confident the .5 will be a good dosage for the day.

It was so frustrating, and he's all frustrated and stressed out now. I don't want to torture the poor little guy, and I don't want to torture him and have him revolt entirely against his new lifestyle. So, what should I do when I just can't get a blood drop? If this happens again, should I give him a shot and try for a test a bit later, or wait until evening? The next three weeks at work are going to be super busy, and finding time to come home during the day is going to be nigh on impossible.
 
Re: What do do when you just can't get a blood sample to tes

When we first started testing Oliver, we used the kitty burrito until he got used to it, and until he realized there was a treat coming after each poke. I put a towel down on the sofa next to the arm. Plopped Oliver on the towel and wrapped him up with only his head showing. (could be a small treat given at this point). I could lightly press him into the arm of the couch to keep him there while I poked.

You are heating the ear, right? That and a big enough size lancet are often the key.
 
Re: What do do when you just can't get a blood sample to tes

Hi Sue - yes, I've done the ear warming thing the past three tests. First two were great, this morning's not so great. And I'm using the lancets that came with the all-in-one package I got from the vet. I'm not sure what size they are but will look when I get back home.

Yesterday morning I tried the purrito method, but he would have none of it. I think it gave him flashbacks to the dark times, when I had to give him pills and steroid shots every day. He really hated me for that, for the first two years we were together. It was a nightmare. So, I don't want to traumatize him with trying purrito again if it can be avoided.
 
Re: What do do when you just can't get a blood sample to tes

Me? I'd give the shot. Is it 100% safe? Nope, but what is the alternative? You have to balance a lot of things right now, and there is no point in stressing both of you out completely.

How are you setting up for testing?

I'd sit on the floor with Squeak between my legs with my testing stuff beside me. I'd brush him with one hand and warm his ear with a rice sock in the other. Put down the brush, grab the lancet device, keep the sock in the ear and test. Usually get enough blood the first time, if not the second. This is the cat who is terribly difficult to pill and toenail clip and all the rest. It did take us a little bit to find out what works though....
 
Re: What do do when you just can't get a blood sample to tes

If you do get a blood drop, you can scoop it onto your fingernail and test from there if he is wiggling to much to hold the meter to the tiny drop. I agree with Sue, sometimes you just have to wrap and try it.

Beans' right ear will not bleed! grrrrrr.........but the left, with warming will do just fine. Sometimes she will not hold still after the lancet poke, so the fingernail has worked for me a time or two.

Treats treats treats after as well....I would give Bean 2 treats before pokie poke and 2 or so after and lots of gooooooooooood girls when we were done.
 
Re: What do do when you just can't get a blood sample to tes

Are you using the device or "free handing"the lancet? A good "starter lancet" size is 28 or 26 gauge.
Carl
 
Re: What do do when you just can't get a blood sample to tes

Sorry. Yes, some kitties hate to be restrained. You might just pick up some 25-27 gauge lancets on the way home. Most humans use the smaller size (30-31), so at least with human meters, that is the size usually included.

If all else fails, we have had people go into a bathroom with the cat, with gloves on, to get the sample until the kitty gets used to the treats and used to the process. It is one of the things that we have to do - just like having our human babies get their shots, even though they scream and cry after. Try just muttering under your breath, "I HAVE to do this, Boo Boo. It is going to save your life."
 
Re: What do do when you just can't get a blood sample to tes

Jen & Squeak said:
Me? I'd give the shot. Is it 100% safe? Nope, but what is the alternative? You have to balance a lot of things right now, and there is no point in stressing both of you out completely.

How are you setting up for testing?

I'd sit on the floor with Squeak between my legs with my testing stuff beside me. I'd brush him with one hand and warm his ear with a rice sock in the other. Put down the brush, grab the lancet device, keep the sock in the ear and test. Usually get enough blood the first time, if not the second. This is the cat who is terribly difficult to pill and toenail clip and all the rest. It did take us a little bit to find out what works though....
Click to expand...

Hi Jen, and thanks for he tips. Unfortunately, Boo doesn't like to be handled too much, so I've been setting him on the couch, and then kind of trapping him between the couch's arm. He's almost fine with that until I start messing with his ears, then the purring stops and the ear-itation begins. He'll be an almost good boy for one poke, two pokes get him all in a tizzy, and in the unfortunate circumstance of me totally screwing up and having to try a third, he gets violent - I think I've established his tolerance level for ear poking at least!
 
Re: What do do when you just can't get a blood sample to tes

Gotcha. Squeak likes handling, just not for any purpose other than brushing or rubbing.
Many people have found success with the technique you are using, so just give it time. Often, even difficult cats soon learn that the poking coincides with them feeling better and they settle down. Not all but...
 
Re: What do do when you just can't get a blood sample to tes

ohbell said:
If you do get a blood drop, you can scoop it onto your fingernail and test from there if he is wiggling to much to hold the meter to the tiny drop. I agree with Sue, sometimes you just have to wrap and try it.

Beans' right ear will not bleed! grrrrrr.........but the left, with warming will do just fine. Sometimes she will not hold still after the lancet poke, so the fingernail has worked for me a time or two.

Treats treats treats after as well....I would give Bean 2 treats before pokie poke and 2 or so after and lots of gooooooooooood girls when we were done.
Click to expand...

You know, Boo's left ear doesn't seem to have problems producing drops. I tried the right ear this morning because I'd been poking the left ear for the past two tests...because the test before that on the right ear didn't produce any blood drops!

Does Bean's left ear do ok with always being the target of the lancet? No scarring or other troubles?
 
Re: What do do when you just can't get a blood sample to tes

carlinsc said:
Are you using the device or "free handing"the lancet? A good "starter lancet" size is 28 or 26 gauge.
Carl
Click to expand...

Good Morning, Carl! I've been trying to use the device, and setting it to spring and all, but I just found a couple threads here indicating that the device can be, well, less than effective shall we say. Tonight I'll try just using the device as a holder, and manually poke. I'm making a rice sock too! I tried the hot water in a pill bottle the past couple of days, and while that was effective for warming, it's very awkward handling it.
 
Re: What do do when you just can't get a blood sample to tes

Depends on which lancet device you are using. The softclix pen works awesome, while some of the ones that come with glucometers are less so...
 
Re: What do do when you just can't get a blood sample to tes

Yes, lancet pens very a lot. I have tried many and the best is the one that came with the One Touch Ultra.Some I have that came with other meters are terrible and I have a very hard time getting blood with them.
 
Re: What do do when you just can't get a blood sample to tes

NO, her ear was doing great - no scarring but some things I did from the advise from here, is to get a small flash lite and shine it from the under side so that I did not poke in the same place. I also bought some neosporin w/ pain that I rub a dab on the area that I am going to poke and I will hold the tissue that I use as a backer on the poked area for a bit to stop the bleeding and help with bruising. I hold it from under(inside the ear) and wrap it around to the top of the ear where I poked and hold it there while she gets her treats and told over and over what a special one she is and she gets told what her number is (lol).
 
Re: What do do when you just can't get a blood sample to tes

oh, I also put the lancet at about 8 on a 9 max. setting. I have used larger and smaller size lancets as well.
 
Re: What do do when you just can't get a blood sample to tes

I'm new here, but I've been testing since the beginning. We paw test instead of ears. I couldn't get the hang of it and he tolerates the paw stick.

I used the burrito method at first, but now all I have to do is turn him upside down in my lap and (freehand) poke. The back feet are easier for me.
I poke, get the glucometer ready, then squeeze for the drop and test. Almost always good on the first try. As soon as Revson hears the beep he squirms to get down and gets a treat. Someone suggested freeze-dried chicken (buy the dog bag and break into pieces - it's cheaper). Rev will let me do most anything for a chicken or shrimp!

Hope this helps.
Amy
 
Re: What do do when you just can't get a blood sample to tes

I think I wasn't warming Boo's ear enough. I think the first couple of attempts I rubbed and warmed for just a minute, but I really believe his ears were just too cold. The past three tests, done with the rice sock warming up his ear for a least a couple of minutes, seems to be the trick! No problems with last night, this morning or this evening's pokes - and the little guy is really, really thankful to you all for the advice!
 
Re: What do do when you just can't get a blood sample to tes

Good news! Soon you will be helping "newbies" trying to join the Vampire Club. :smile:
Testing is probably the "hardest" part of learning this new dance. You and booboo are there!
 
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