Thank you! The most helpful video I've yet seen on how to find the vein! I can't tell you the relief I'm feeling right now after finally having gotten an easy read!
Thank you so much for this! I feel more confident now to attempt it with Mojo the Terrible. Although I don’t think he will be anywhere as accepting as Peaches was. LOL
Do you go straight down or at an angle in the ear? Also do you prick the vein directly or beside it? I'm scared to go through the ear. My cat would be scared of the lancet noise so I'm going to try it by hand.
I tried this for the first time today after watching multiple TH-cam videos and getting my confidence up. It didn't go smoothly at all. He wouldn't bleed. My glucometer gives me two minutes after inserting the strip before it times out. I had two time out on me, and I finally got a reading on the third attempt. This would probably be easier if I had a buddy. I could see his vein by shining a light through it, but I couldn't hold the flash light and prick him at the same time. So every time I pricked him, I was flying blind. I wonder how high my glucose is right now from stress.
I'm not sure if it's all test strips or just certain ones, but instead of wasting a test strip you should be able to pull it out and reinsert it to reset the machine. But hey I'm still learning too! So I don't know, like I said, if it's all strips. Good luck! I haven't even tried yet!
Thank youuuu! My 9 year old Brutus just got diagnosed diabetic yesterday and after a good cry(because he’s my baby and diabetes maintenance seems expensive and stressful 😂) I’ve been googling and searching up a storm in preparation for the phone call with the Vet tomorrow to see what we do next. He’s a really docile bub, I got him used to nail trimmings and such young so I think we can handle this part at least. I’m sure I’ll find out from the phone call, but can you use the same glucose meters for cats as humans? Should the numbers be in a similar range?
Thank you I didn't have a very good idea of what I was gonna have to do other than I thought the footpads were the only place thank you thank you thank you now I can do his blood sugar tests at home how often should I do them I do them who's getting point 2 of of 3 Insulin twice A-day... He does get down to 70's in the morning... Please what is good or normal for me feline. I am also a Diabetic, my ideal range is between 70 and 150 ...
What about your cats who AREN'T the good candidates for this?? I can't possibly imagine my cat letting me do any of this to him, from the gathering up to making him stay in place to the poking him to the squeezing the ear to the keeping him there until I get a blood sample. He won't stand for any of this unless I dope him. I'm lost.... Any advice?
You can try wrapping him up in a towel, like a burrito, (or purrito) we have to do this to our two cats when we give them Comfortis for fleas. It is better if you do not have to restrain them too much, but you may not have a choice. You need a second pair of hands, someone to help. We just started doing the for our 14 year old male. Definitely a learning curve. We have only done this 3 times, and so far hit or miss. Just be patient, don't get frustrated, and keep trying. Also watch all the videos you can find. Good luck to you and your precious cat.
@@davidappell3105 i cant speak to the ear prick specifically but when i need to give my cat her insulin or something similar, it's kind of awkward but ill kind of pin her under me, either if shes already laying ill come over and lay on top or if shes on the ground ill kneel down and have her between my knees. VERY important to make sure you aren't putting any weight on the cat (and be mindful of the tail)!!!! You're just using your body or legs to block escape routes while your hands do the shot/etc. Hope this helps!
our 12year old mix has diabetes, having devils own trouble trying to get blood. WIll have to try it without the actual device and just using the lanceit. She is not a helpful cat tho. Insulin no worries she just meows but touching her ear is a no go apparently
In case you still need help. My cat HATES her insulin injections but is surprisingly good for BG test. I use a sock with 1/4 cup rice in it, heat in microwave for 10 seconds, then rub the ear with it for a couple minutes before sticking to get the blood flow going. She really seems to like the warm sock on her ear. I use the lancing device that came with the AlphaTrak 2 on depth setting 3. Lots of reviews say they're junk but mine works well. I feel I would be hesitant to poke so I like the device to do it. I try to aim between the marginal vein and the edge of the ear with a small flashlight in my mouth. Also a very thin layer of vaseline on the edge of the ear will make the blood bead up nicely.
How do you know how hard to poke? I am SO frustrated at this stupid lancing device that came with AlphaTrak. Utterly worthless, needle doesn't even come within a half damn inch of protruding.. so now I have to literally stab my cat manually...
I keep hearing to get the blood from the vein, but then I've also been told to avoid the vein! So I'm not sure which is accurate? Also wouldn't it be easier on the inside of the ear? Where there's no fur?
Well done video, thank you. But you don't need to go into the vein I think. Around it is fine. I always warm my cat's ear gently with my fingers before I take her BG. It makes all the difference... I was really nervous in the beginning but now, after three days, it's a piece of cake!
Irwin, I am glad it proved educational! I have had 5 diabetics over the years and this is definitely the most accurate way to manage diabetes. If you are a cat lover please check out and "like" my Facebook page of the same name, you may find it quite informative!
Thank you! The most helpful video I've yet seen on how to find the vein! I can't tell you the relief I'm feeling right now after finally having gotten an easy read!
You are so welcome!
Yes! Great informational video. Exactly what I needed for my senior diabetic cat. Thank you.
Thank you so much for this! I feel more confident now to attempt it with Mojo the Terrible. Although I don’t think he will be anywhere as accepting as Peaches was. LOL
Do you go straight down or at an angle in the ear? Also do you prick the vein directly or beside it? I'm scared to go through the ear. My cat would be scared of the lancet noise so I'm going to try it by hand.
I tried this for the first time today after watching multiple TH-cam videos and getting my confidence up. It didn't go smoothly at all. He wouldn't bleed. My glucometer gives me two minutes after inserting the strip before it times out. I had two time out on me, and I finally got a reading on the third attempt. This would probably be easier if I had a buddy. I could see his vein by shining a light through it, but I couldn't hold the flash light and prick him at the same time. So every time I pricked him, I was flying blind. I wonder how high my glucose is right now from stress.
I'm not sure if it's all test strips or just certain ones, but instead of wasting a test strip you should be able to pull it out and reinsert it to reset the machine. But hey I'm still learning too! So I don't know, like I said, if it's all strips. Good luck! I haven't even tried yet!
@@jadeSLenin I did eventually get the hang of it. It just took some practice. Good luck!
Thank you
I read where you do NOT pierce the vein. You get the blood from a capillary, not the vein.
Thank youuuu! My 9 year old Brutus just got diagnosed diabetic yesterday and after a good cry(because he’s my baby and diabetes maintenance seems expensive and stressful 😂) I’ve been googling and searching up a storm in preparation for the phone call with the Vet tomorrow to see what we do next. He’s a really docile bub, I got him used to nail trimmings and such young so I think we can handle this part at least.
I’m sure I’ll find out from the phone call, but can you use the same glucose meters for cats as humans? Should the numbers be in a similar range?
Can you please use a difficult cat so those of us that don't have light-colored cats or sit there still? Thanks
peaches is a high quality kitten
Thank you I didn't have a very good idea of what I was gonna have to do other than I thought the footpads were the only place thank you thank you thank you now I can do his blood sugar tests at home how often should I do them I do them who's getting point 2 of of 3 Insulin twice A-day...
He does get down to 70's in the morning...
Please what is good or normal for me feline. I am also a Diabetic, my ideal range is between 70 and 150 ...
What about your cats who AREN'T the good candidates for this?? I can't possibly imagine my cat letting me do any of this to him, from the gathering up to making him stay in place to the poking him to the squeezing the ear to the keeping him there until I get a blood sample. He won't stand for any of this unless I dope him. I'm lost.... Any advice?
You can try wrapping him up in a towel, like a burrito, (or purrito) we have to do this to our two cats when we give them Comfortis for fleas. It is better if you do not have to restrain them too much, but you may not have a choice. You need a second pair of hands, someone to help. We just started doing the for our 14 year old male. Definitely a learning curve. We have only done this 3 times, and so far hit or miss. Just be patient, don't get frustrated, and keep trying. Also watch all the videos you can find. Good luck to you and your precious cat.
Treats! Pettin's. Toys? Positive reinforcement.
@@stephanielardner9150 - OK, but I live alone and don’t have a second pair of hands.
@@davidappell3105 i cant speak to the ear prick specifically but when i need to give my cat her insulin or something similar, it's kind of awkward but ill kind of pin her under me, either if shes already laying ill come over and lay on top or if shes on the ground ill kneel down and have her between my knees. VERY important to make sure you aren't putting any weight on the cat (and be mindful of the tail)!!!! You're just using your body or legs to block escape routes while your hands do the shot/etc. Hope this helps!
our 12year old mix has diabetes, having devils own trouble trying to get blood. WIll have to try it without the actual device and just using the lanceit. She is not a helpful cat tho. Insulin no worries she just meows but touching her ear is a no go apparently
In case you still need help. My cat HATES her insulin injections but is surprisingly good for BG test. I use a sock with 1/4 cup rice in it, heat in microwave for 10 seconds, then rub the ear with it for a couple minutes before sticking to get the blood flow going. She really seems to like the warm sock on her ear. I use the lancing device that came with the AlphaTrak 2 on depth setting 3. Lots of reviews say they're junk but mine works well. I feel I would be hesitant to poke so I like the device to do it. I try to aim between the marginal vein and the edge of the ear with a small flashlight in my mouth. Also a very thin layer of vaseline on the edge of the ear will make the blood bead up nicely.
Grazie per il video!
How do you know how hard to poke? I am SO frustrated at this stupid lancing device that came with AlphaTrak. Utterly worthless, needle doesn't even come within a half damn inch of protruding.. so now I have to literally stab my cat manually...
I keep hearing to get the blood from the vein, but then I've also been told to avoid the vein! So I'm not sure which is accurate? Also wouldn't it be easier on the inside of the ear? Where there's no fur?
I thought we avoid the vain when we give the insulin specifically. Then you don’t go near a vain
Some do it inside some do it on the paws
Well done video, thank you. But you don't need to go into the vein I think. Around it is fine. I always warm my cat's ear gently with my fingers before I take her BG. It makes all the difference... I was really nervous in the beginning but now, after three days, it's a piece of cake!
I find the outer margin beyond the vein on the edge is too tiny to poke! but that's where everyone recommends
estou com muita dificuldade em conseguir furar a orelha e tirar a gotinha de sangue.... parece tão facil!
It look harder than you thought 😂
Did not know that you can get a blood glucose reading on a cat! Learn something every day.
Irwin, I am glad it proved educational! I have had 5 diabetics over the years and this is definitely the most accurate way to manage diabetes. If you are a cat lover please check out and "like" my Facebook page of the same name, you may find it quite informative!
we've been to the fricken moon irwin