Problems getting blood for home glucose testing

Hello everyone,

My name is Thomas and I have a beautiful and very loving cat called Dexy.

First off apologies as this topic has been posted about many times on here. I have read through all the posts and watched all videos but I am still having trouble.

He was diagnosed with diabetes around 4 weeks ago. For the past two weeks he has been on his insulin injections with a Vetpen.
At first it was very daunting but me and partner quickly got used to it and now give him his injections just as he starts eating (keeps him distracted).
The vet has asked us now to check his blood levels so we bought a home testing kit and I have watched lots and lots and lots of videos about ear pricking, the post here was very useful: https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/struggling-with-ear-pricks.197553/

However, Dexy has proved to be quite a challenge. He absolutely is not keen on his ears being touched, even when massaging, after a few moments his ears go back and he's ready to attack.

Me and my partner have tired a few times this week to prick his ear but he won't sit still and wriggles like crazy to get away after his ear has been pricked. The lancet device is shockingly bad too so we use the needle independently.

Yesterday I bought some Emal cream, applied it to both sides of his ear and waited twenty minutes, I got his food ready to distract him and as it got placed down in front of him I quickly pricked his ear (success) but not enough blood came out! As a result he has a large red sot on his ear today.

Today I have tried to paw prick him but he kept clawing at me .

I was happy initially to take him to the vets to get tested but he hates going there and has to be completely knocked out and kept in in order to get blood as he won't let the vets near him with a syringe. I obviously can't go through that again because it is way to stressful for him and costs a lot.


Me and my partner are worried because his symptoms are getting worse (thirsty, urinating a lot, hungry all the time, weight loss) and we need get at least two readings so the vet can decide how much to increase his insulin with.

To make matters worse because he is hungry all the time he is very restless. The vet has said they would like a reading 4 hours after he has eaten but he is usually very hungry again by then and runs to his bowl any time someone moves!

I should mention we have an automatic timed feeder that feeds him 5 portions of food a day.

He eats 8am, 10,am 2pm, 6pm and 9pm. The vet said that it is fine to keep it like this as it it is similar to how a cat would eat in the wild catching a few small prey every day.

I'm feeling maybe a firm hand is required at first to get the results but I just can't do that as it needs to be a comfortable and positive experience for him.

Does anyone have any experience with their cat really not comfortable with any of this? I feel like I am running out of options.

Kind regards,

Thomas

 

Hi Thomas my name is Kyle and this is all very new to me as well, my cat was diagnosed on 5 January 2022.

At first I thought the home testing was going to be impossible. I was so discouraged. But with help from people here, it is now routine.

Some things you've probably already read and/or tried:

swaddling (rolling up) in a towel and hold between your legs
pick a location in the home for the test spot, always do it there, always give a treat after
sing a little song
use a warm sock or handwarmer
always apply some petroleum jelly to the ear so the blood drop beads up
I wear a LED headlamp so I can see what Im doing better, and my reading glasses

 

Hi Kyle,

Thank you so much for replying.

I googled swaddling and found a great video on how to gently wrap a cat up:

This looks very comfy the cat so I will give this a shot.

Just bought some Vaseline too.

So I am very shortly about to swaddle him, put some Vaseline on his ear and try again to get his glucose.

Thank you for the suggestions!

 

Failed unfortunately!

However, it does seem a much easier way try and get the blood sample.

Dexy was not too bad for a good few minutes whilst wrapped up.

I used Emal to numb his ear 30 minutes before and put some Vaseline on before I pierced his ear. He let out a meow as soon as I pierced it, I felt a bit bad. Then, as I tried to collect the sample he shook his head like crazy and his blood smooshed into my thumb! Then he really struggled to get out so we unwrapped him and gave a him a treat for doing so well.

I guess this is what I need to keep trying until I get it?

Also should I be trying to do this a few times a day until I get a reading? I'm thinking once a day until I get it as it seems pretty stressful for all involved.

 

sounds like progress!! good work

as far as how often to try...I think that is up to you and Dexy. Making it more routine is good, but stress is bad as well so I guess, take it day by day. Maybe try twice a day

 

Always aim for the sweet spot warm the ears up first, you can put rice in a sock and put it in the microwave, test it on the inside of your wrist to be sure it's not to hot, like you would test a babies bottle. You can fill a pill bottle with warm water and roll it on the ears also.Just keep rubbing the ears with your fingers to warm them up

6. As the ears get used to bleeding and grow more capilares, it gets easier to get the amount of blood you need on the first try. If he won’t stand still, you can get the blood onto a clean finger nail and test from there.
When you do get some blood you can try milking the ear.
Get you finger and gently push up toward the blood , more will appear
You will put the cotton round behind his ear in case you poke your finger, after you are done testing you will fold the cotton round over his ear to stop the bleeding , press gently for about 20 seconds until it stops
Get 26 or 28 gauge lancets
A lot of us use the lancets to test freehand
I find it better to see where I'm aiming
You can even put the drop of blood on a clean finger nail and test it from there

Here is a video one of our members did
VIDEO: How to test your cat's blood sugar

 

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Thanks for sharing this Diane. Can you tell me why not hit the marginal vein? I've seen videos that tell you to hit this exact vein because it will deliver more blood.

I've hit the sweet spot twice and not had anything come out. Does this take time to happen?

Thanks in advance.

 

I'll tell you what I know: hitting the marginal vein is much more painful, takes more to heal, and causes bruising of the ears. One time I hit the marginal vein and it hurt Hendrick so badly he immediately vomited. So much pain it caused him intense nausea. Never again!

sure it gets more blood out -- WAY more than you need though. It is overkill.

Regarding the sweet spot. Even now, as I feel that I have this whole thing down pat....I sometimes hit the sweet spot 2 or 3 times and get nothing. I move to a slightly new spot along the same edge and try again.

Another good tip is to look closely at the end of the lancet. It is tapered, and you want the longer edge facing down towards the ear, the longer edge should be contacting the ear first. Rotate the lancet if needed to do this. Also your approach angle should be around 45 degrees.

 

I don't know if this will help you at all but here is a video of me and Hendrick

 

Warming the ear, vaseline and using a larger size lancet (28 GG) than comes with the kits and understanding the "sweet spot" helped me improve my ability to get a dab of blood. I was so fearful I wouldn't figure it out but when we started administering insulin I knew I had to figure it out. Having said that my cat has been surprisingly a real trooper about it. I could understand the difficulty if the kitty is not a cooperative partner in the process. I wish you patience and persistence! Best Wishes

 

I just LOVE that head torch! Going to see if I can get one too...
...Have been testing blood glucose for 15 years, but just the other day when my kitty was dozing in a dark spot I thought it would be great to have a bit more light...

 

Amazon has them very affordable, usually takes a couple AA batteries or three AAA

I don't NEED the light anymore but I still wear it because I like to be able to see what I'm doing and that LED is super bright and crisp. Delivers nice clarity.

 

This is magic thank you. Still been unsuccessful but it's getting a wee bit more routine now. Thanks for the prompt response Kyle.

 

You're welcome!

I don't know much yet but I am on the computer all day for work so I try and look out for ways I can contribute, small though they may be.

 

It can take time. So do be patient with yourself. (((Hugs)))

With both of my diabetics the key to success with testing has been 'desensitization' and 'counter conditioning'.
My first diabetic was a large and strong willed cat, and there was no way I'd be able to test unless he was OK with that... My current diabetic girl absolutely hates having her ears touched, so she presented a particularly difficult challenge at first (Note: some cats are fine with paw testing, but my girl hates her feet being touched too...)
Neither of my cats has tolerated being held or restrained in any way at all. So, I've had to use 'distraction' to keep them relatively still while I quickly test.
I could distract my first diabetic with some crushed cat treats and test him while he was hoovering up the treat crumbs. My diabetic girl likes to be brushed. So, I just sneak a test into the middle of a little brushing/grooming session and she barely notices. Singing to her while I brush her seems to help too... ....This did take a bit of time, but with patience and persistence all kinds of things are possible...

With both my cats I've had to go slowly, introducing just a very low level aspect of testing at first, but not enough to spook or upset them.
....This is something that I wrote for another group, just copying it here in case it's helpful...

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GETTING KITTY USED TO BEING TESTED - ‘DESENSITISATION’
Some kitties take to being tested like proverbial ‘ducks to water’, they are just not bothered by it at all. Other kitties take a bit more work, and with a minority of kitties it can take a quite a bit of dedicated effort to get them used to the process.
Please be reassured that ‘most’ kitties can be tested, and ‘most’ people can learn to do it. Honestly!

One really useful way to get kitties used to testing is to ‘desensitise’ them to the sensations and sounds involved in the test process. And a really good thing to do at first is just to get them more used to having their ears touched.
So, whenever you are stroking or cuddling the kitty use that opportunity to include very gentle ‘ear touching’ when you stroke them, just for a second at first. Make ear touching ‘ordinary’ and nothing to fear...

You can also go to wherever the cat is chilling out, then stroke them, hold or massage an ear for a second or two, and then immediately reward with a yummy treat and some praise. This starts to condition them to associate ear touching with rewards. And this is what you want to happen.

You can also get them used to the test kit itself. For example, you can rattle the test strip container, or click the lancing device a few times (it can be used a bit like a training clicker), and immediately give the kitty a treat. Then just walk away, leaving them with their reward. They can soon come to associate those sounds with rewards just like when they hear the sound of the can opener...

I did these kinds of desensitisation techniques with my kitties about 6 or 7 times a day at first during the first couple of weeks. It only takes a minute or two each time, maybe only seconds. But that repetition is key to success. Repetition, repetition, repetition...

It can be often be helpful at first to test in the same location so as to establish a routine. I tested my first diabetic on a table top. I test my current girl in her favourite armchair. You can get the kitty used to the test spot by taking or calling them there and just rewarding them with strokes or brushing, or treats.
Make the test spot a place where nice things happen.
If you can get the kitty to the test spot and hold or massage an ear for a second or two and then reward with a treat and praise, you really are most of the way to being able to test on a regular basis.

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HOMETESTING TIPS & TRICKS

1. WARM EARS. Probably THE most important thing. Warm ears bleed very much more easily than cold ones. You can warm an ear by massaging it, or by holding something warm against it; ie a pill bottle filled with warm water, or a ‘rice sock’ briefly warmed in the microwave.

2. MASSAGING immediately below the ear prick, with finger and thumb, can ‘milk’ more blood out. I almost always do this, if only for a second or two.

3. VASELINE. A teensy weensy smear of Vaseline on the outer edge of the ear will enable the blood to ‘bead up’ and stops it disappearing into the fur. This also makes it easier to see the blood droplet if the kitty has dark ears.

4. RESISTANCE. The lancet needs something to ‘resist’ otherwise it can push the ear away rather than pricking it effectively. Some folks use a piece of cotton wool or folded tissue. I use one of my fingers, but sometimes do accidentally take a blood sample from myself that way.

5. TWO EAR PRICKS close together can often produce enough blood for a test when one ear prick might not.

6. SCOOPING THE BLOOD DROP ONTO YOUR FINGERNAIL. Doing this is a game-changer for some people. If you can get that drop of blood on your finger or thumb nail you can then let the kitty go and finish the test without her/him.

7. TREATS. It is important to reward the kitty for each attempted test, whether the test was ‘successful’ or not. Cats very soon learn to associate tests with treats. And some will soon come running for their tests. A ‘treat’ is usually a food reward of some kind, but some folks reward their kitties with a cuddle or a grooming session. I actually crumble a few treats for my cat and test him while he’s hoovering up the crumbs.

Remember to reward yourself too. Chocolate is good…

8. GET COMFORTABLE. If you are physically comfortable you’ll be more relaxed, and also less likely to try to rush the process. Some people like to test their cats on a counter top or a desk, maybe next to a desk lamp. Some people prefer to hold their cats on their laps when they test. Some folks incorporate testing into a grooming session. You’ll find what works best for you. And once you get used to home testing you’ll quite possibly be able to do it anywhere, and maybe even while the kitty is asleep.

9. RELAX. Cats pick up on our moods. The more relaxed and ‘matter of fact’ we are, the more relaxed and confident the kitty is likely to be. Some people chat or sing to their cats while they test him. Try it. It might help you too.

10. PATIENCE. Be kind to yourself. You’re learning something new. (And you’re learning something wonderful!)

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Re desensitization and counter conditioning, there is a good little video here showing a real life example. The (very fast talking!) vet in this vid is getting a food-motivated cat used to injections. But the principles of desensitization and counter conditioning can be used in many situations.



Eliz

 

awesome, awesome post @Elizabeth and Bertie

I had forgotten about the conditioning aspect of giving a treat at the 'spot' regardless of ear pokes happening. As well as lots of other great tips you included. gold star post right there

 

@Elizabeth and Bertie thank you for that post! Lots of amazing information! I'm honestly so overwhelmed with the helpfulness, compassion and empathy from everyone. Reading all your replies is instilling me with confidence.

@Hendrick's mom and dad ALMOST A GREAT SUCCESS!

So with yesterdays test I gave Dexy boiled chicken as a reward. As soon as he heard the meter beep he came running through to his spot lookig for his chicken. He was puring like crazy. So I got vaseline on his ear, warmed his ear up with a sock (he really let me do it for a while this time) and I prick his ear a good few times making sure it was at a 45 degree angle and that the needle was the right way up. Minimal fuss from him, he kept looking for his chicken. Then I managed to get a sample! I couldn't believe it! But the meter said it wasn't enough!

Then his timed food bowl went off and he ran and ate it, then he came straight back to me for his chicken I noticed another blood droplet had formed on his ear so I quickly got it and success! Except the reading doesn't count as he just ate a few minutes ago!

He then got this chicken and is happily cleaning himself whilst lying on his testing spot next to me!

Getting closer to getting the right one but massive progress just now! I am very happy!

 

oh no no no, that is TOTALLY a great success! You got a reading, who cares if it was possibly invalid due to food consumption, at least YOU GOT IT

The first time I ever did it I was shaking after. So happy I could cry and knowing me I probably did LOL

 

@Hendrick's mom and dad WE DID IT! Just now I got the sample successful. He wriggled around a lot and I had to prick a good few times but we did it! I am so happy! Just need to get one tomorrow and Sunday and then the vets can figure out how much more insulin he needs!

Thank you Kyle and everyone else that has provided advice on here! Me and Dexy are very grateful! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

 

wooohooo!! Good job Thomas, you are doing great

 

I don't mean to hijack this thread but I just have to give a HUGE THANK YOU to @Elizabeth and Bertie. I have a cat who also does not like to be handled, at all. BUT... thanks to your post and kind sentiments behind your words, I don't feel so overwhelmed.
After employing the techniques you described over the course of two weeks I am happy to say that we are now at the point where I have been able to get her to accept my poking her ear with the lancet! I have done it successfully twice - yesterday evening and again this morning.
Unfortunately I have not gotten a reading yet as I did not get enough blood nor did I make it to the meter in time and she ran away from me before I could get more blood but two successful attempts and only the blood was coming from Cleo's ear.
(Ahh you win some you lose some )
I think I'm going to have to find a real jackpot treat to get her to stay still long enough to get the blood to the meter.
Thank you again and to all the support here at FDMB!

 

@Angela & Cleo this is so nice to read! No worries on posting on this thread. I am glad you are making progress! I thought the world had ended before I got advice on here and now manage to get a reading from Dexy every time. The advice from people here is priceless.
Sounds like you are super close!