Failed glucose guest

Attempted first glucose test today. Tried to burrito Jazpurr in a towel I sprayed with Feliway. Was a fight . Got a good drop of blood but when I touched the strip to the blood I got an error. Now he's under my bed and I will be lucky to get him out for his shot. Help me....when do I have to attempt this again? Hard to do alone, I'm sad

 

I'm sorry that your first attempt was as mess. When I first started it was very stressful. Did you try to do it without restraining him? Maybe just tempt him with his favorite treat? Believe it or not, if you keep it up, it will get better. Mia now jumps up in her tower (that's our testing spot) to get her treat (shredded chicken), and she actually pauses to let me poke her ear before she starts eating. So, cute.

The more you do it, the easier it will become. Pre-shot tests are the most important so you can make sure they are high enough to get the shot, but mid-cycle tests help you see the impact the insulin is having. Don't be sad. You can do it!

 

Does he let you stroke his ears? Try desensitizing him to having his ears touched.

Have him enjoy a snack and do a quick poke. If he's squirming you can scoop the drop onto your nail and test from there.

 

Could be that the strip was inserted into the meter too long before the blood was applied. Try inserting the strip almost all the way but not quite. When you have the drop of blood, quickly push the strip into the meter and hold to the ear.

 

I can so relate to what you're going through. My Ruby girl has only been diagnosed 2 weeks ago and the insulin shots are a walk in the park compared to bg testing. The ear pricks seem to really hurt her ears and we've had some mighty stressful moments. But as a word of encouragement things are already starting to change and the biggest help has been to have cuddle time first away from testing spot and using a heated rice-ball sock (look for bg testing videos which show the balls on one of them) to warm her ear (helps to get good blood flow with just one prick required!) Then when you're set up with your monitor (test strip poised but not fully inserted to ensure it doesn't time out) get a small dish of food (hopefully yours is a good eater because distraction has been my saviour) and then do your prick. See it as a ritual together and try to be as calm yourself before starting (easier said them done!) because they pick up on this so much. Be kind and patient with yourself there's no perfect way to do this but you will find your groove with time...you got this!

 

Strip in the meter too long, happens all the time. My meter needs 3 seconds after inserting the strip and then times out (turns itself off) after 15. Try to keep from touching the strip as much as possible, it's a chemical reaction. It's a big deal to some cats if it hurts even once, they never forget. We all have our little bag of tricks including singing, back rubs etc.