Re: Mickey and home testing
Don't get discouraged, it just takes time, practice and finding what works for you. I doubt that you broke your lancet device, but they only go together one way. Everyone has found the way that works best for them. I use to use the lancet device, but doing it by hand is more reliable and easier for me.
When doing it by hand I leave the area flat and then quickly jab all the way in and out while petting him. Sometimes I will stretch the skin a little so it's tight. After, if I need a little bigger drop, I gently press on each side of the puncture to get a little more blood if necessary, but don't squeeze too hard. The AlphaTrak only needs a tiny amount of blood. Just touch one edge of the test strip to the blood drop and wait for the meter to beep before moving it away from the test site. If necessary to do a second stick, you can add blood to the test strip for up to 2 minutes, just be sure to add it to the same side of the test strip you have already used.
I have a feeling that you are possibly being a little tentative about the lancing for fear of hurting Mickey. If using the lancet device, I press firmly into the site before triggering it. By hand, I make one quick jab all the way in and out, not a little prick. If it hurts Mickey, he will let you know, if he doesn't react, you will have learned something from it either way. All part of the learning process.
Trying once and then waiting so as not to stress Mickey too much at once is a good way to go. Eventually, you will get that first drop of blood that gives you a reading and from then on, each one becomes easier. Even now, I still have times when Bailey just doesn't want to give up any blood, or the meter just won't read it and gives me an error message and I need to try 2-3 times with new test strips to get a reading.
You're doing great, let us know how the next one goes.
Pat
Don't get discouraged, it just takes time, practice and finding what works for you. I doubt that you broke your lancet device, but they only go together one way. Everyone has found the way that works best for them. I use to use the lancet device, but doing it by hand is more reliable and easier for me.
When doing it by hand I leave the area flat and then quickly jab all the way in and out while petting him. Sometimes I will stretch the skin a little so it's tight. After, if I need a little bigger drop, I gently press on each side of the puncture to get a little more blood if necessary, but don't squeeze too hard. The AlphaTrak only needs a tiny amount of blood. Just touch one edge of the test strip to the blood drop and wait for the meter to beep before moving it away from the test site. If necessary to do a second stick, you can add blood to the test strip for up to 2 minutes, just be sure to add it to the same side of the test strip you have already used.
I have a feeling that you are possibly being a little tentative about the lancing for fear of hurting Mickey. If using the lancet device, I press firmly into the site before triggering it. By hand, I make one quick jab all the way in and out, not a little prick. If it hurts Mickey, he will let you know, if he doesn't react, you will have learned something from it either way. All part of the learning process.
Trying once and then waiting so as not to stress Mickey too much at once is a good way to go. Eventually, you will get that first drop of blood that gives you a reading and from then on, each one becomes easier. Even now, I still have times when Bailey just doesn't want to give up any blood, or the meter just won't read it and gives me an error message and I need to try 2-3 times with new test strips to get a reading.
You're doing great, let us know how the next one goes.
Pat
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