Mal and Tubby (GA)
Member
Right ear blasted. my back hurts.
too early for such shenanigans. :sad:
too early for such shenanigans. :sad:
21/1 Tubby amps 291
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Terri and Lucy
Active Member
Sorry about your back, but you got two preshots in a row!
Vicky & Gandalf (GA) & Murrlin
Very Active Member
Yeah and those preshots aren't bad. Try to get a +8 within a couple days. It takes a few cycles (generally 6 cycles or 3 days) to see a response after a dose change.
Mal and Tubby (GA)
Member
Going for a +8 today. Reducing the b/g tests to nadir.
Way too hard on the cat.
Way too hard on the cat.
pamela and tigger
Very Active Member
Mal and Tubby said:
So you think the nadir is +8? I am not sure if you could know that this early in your test/data-gathering. I know you are trying hard though and just getting the preshot tests has been an accomplishment!
When you say too hard on the cat, what do you mean? I know you mentioned in another post that you turn the ear inside out and poke the inside of the ear? There are some that do that successfully I'm told, but to me it seems awkward and I know I would get an unpleasant reaction from Tigger doing it that way.
Has anyone ever suggested the outside front edge of the ear? I just put my finger behind the ear and poke. Over and done with quickly. My lancet device is set at number three and that helps.
Sheila & Beau GA & Jeddie GA
Very Active Member
Mal, you might try a couple of things. One is to test the top, outside edge of the ear as Pamela mentioned.
But rather than only test nadir, maybe test at different times of the day on different days? am preshot one day, nadir next, pm PS next, etc - and vary the nadir time from +5 to +9. I had Beau drop low at +3 on his third shot. I am just saying that without a lot of data you can't assume anything is always the same day after day.
Also, too hard on the cat is subjective, I know, but how is he about being put in a carrier and then a car and taken to the vet? Remember, it doesn't really hurt them. There may be a momentary sting but that is it.
What lancets are you using? Did you get the BD Ultra Fine II ones? I swear by them and no other lancet is as "smooth" as they are. Beau is a testing megaball lottery win who comes and jumps up on the table, purrs, sits quietly (mostly) even with another cat getting in his face. He flinches when I use other brands and I have trouble getting the drop. With the BDs he barely knows it happened. He just knows it will be soon after the meter beeps when I insert the strip...
Also, you said your back hurts? Are you leaning way over him to test? I had to move the testing operation to the dining room table, but the kitchen counter is an even better testing height for standing and leaning over a bit. I use a folded blanket for them to sit on. Jeddie needs to be wraped in a second blanket because he won't stay and won't "sit" down. And he definately doesnt purr!
But rather than only test nadir, maybe test at different times of the day on different days? am preshot one day, nadir next, pm PS next, etc - and vary the nadir time from +5 to +9. I had Beau drop low at +3 on his third shot. I am just saying that without a lot of data you can't assume anything is always the same day after day.
Also, too hard on the cat is subjective, I know, but how is he about being put in a carrier and then a car and taken to the vet? Remember, it doesn't really hurt them. There may be a momentary sting but that is it.
What lancets are you using? Did you get the BD Ultra Fine II ones? I swear by them and no other lancet is as "smooth" as they are. Beau is a testing megaball lottery win who comes and jumps up on the table, purrs, sits quietly (mostly) even with another cat getting in his face. He flinches when I use other brands and I have trouble getting the drop. With the BDs he barely knows it happened. He just knows it will be soon after the meter beeps when I insert the strip...
Also, you said your back hurts? Are you leaning way over him to test? I had to move the testing operation to the dining room table, but the kitchen counter is an even better testing height for standing and leaning over a bit. I use a folded blanket for them to sit on. Jeddie needs to be wraped in a second blanket because he won't stay and won't "sit" down. And he definately doesnt purr!
Mal and Tubby (GA)
Member
I am using 25 ga lancets.
+9 was 278
+9 is very convenient for me. I get back at that time from shopping and cat hasnt been fed for two hours.
Lots of small meals all day. Actually I feed Tubby when he asks for food.
Urine output is way up.
The testing has affected my other cats negatively. Lots of fighting. not good. Tubby is the alpha cat.
I will try a different hour each day.
Inside outside on the edge on the inner side of the vein on the forward part of the ear on the rearward side.
Over 10 strips in two days.
Back legs seem a little better.
+9 was 278
+9 is very convenient for me. I get back at that time from shopping and cat hasnt been fed for two hours.
Lots of small meals all day. Actually I feed Tubby when he asks for food.
Urine output is way up.
The testing has affected my other cats negatively. Lots of fighting. not good. Tubby is the alpha cat.
I will try a different hour each day.
Inside outside on the edge on the inner side of the vein on the forward part of the ear on the rearward side.
Over 10 strips in two days.
Back legs seem a little better.
pamela and tigger
Very Active Member
Mal and Tubby said:I am using 25 ga lancets.
Hmmm, maybe a little too large a gauge...I think that would hurt...ouch! Maybe try a 28 gauge or higher.
Lots of small meals all day. Actually I feed Tubby when he asks for food.
How much do you feed him at a time? Small meals are fine but does he get one main meal at shot time? Also try not to feed a few hours before his shot time since you may not have a 'true' reading at shot time because of a food spike. Besides being hungry at shot time is a good thing. It guarantees he will eat and he will understand the testing routine is followed by food (which he is hungry for).
Urine output is way up.
The testing has affected my other cats negatively. Lots of fighting. not good. Tubby is the alpha cat.
I will try a different hour each day.
Inside outside on the edge on the inner side of the vein on the forward part of the ear on the rearward side.
LOL Okay, outside edge, on the side that is facing you as you are looking down on his sweet little head.
http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m267 ... etspot.jpg
Over 10 strips in two days.
Back legs seem a little better.
Vicky & Gandalf (GA) & Murrlin
Very Active Member
Yeah, agree with Pamela. 25 gauge in a lancet would be huge! I use the same ones Sheila uses, 30 gauge BD Ultra Fine II. They are so small I can freehand them no problem.
If you're afraid 30G won't be big enough to get a good blood drop, have you read about using a rice sock warmed in the microwave to place on the ear for a few seconds and warm it up? Warming the ear greatly helps with getting the blood to come out! You can also *milk* it a little, but not too hard as he may not like that. Some cats don't like their ears messed with too much.
We've each had to find our own way to make testing and giving shots as easy for ourselves and the cat as possible. Perhaps some of the things we have used will help you make it easier for you two.
If you're afraid 30G won't be big enough to get a good blood drop, have you read about using a rice sock warmed in the microwave to place on the ear for a few seconds and warm it up? Warming the ear greatly helps with getting the blood to come out! You can also *milk* it a little, but not too hard as he may not like that. Some cats don't like their ears messed with too much.
We've each had to find our own way to make testing and giving shots as easy for ourselves and the cat as possible. Perhaps some of the things we have used will help you make it easier for you two.
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