Recently diagnosed with Pancreatitis, my friend Rusty underwent a couple of days in the hospital. Upon returning home with antibiotics and instructions for administering insulin injections and ultimately performing glucose tests at home, we have had quite an ongoing battle.
When performing lancing device blood sample pokes, success is very unpredictable. I have watched numerous videos laying out the ease of the glucose test. Rusty is not like any of these docile dogs. The lips are untouchable. The ear is a very closely guarded area except when he wants me to rub inside. I have only one alternative at his time and it is his paw pad. Even that area is sensitive to my terrier friend.
As we have proceeded with our insulin balance program, I have performed two glucose curves at home. By the time I performed the second curve, I had to purchase a muzzle, as Rusty was beginning to nip at the poker. If I could get a good blood drop the first poke, I believe I could convince Rusty to cooperate, but many occasions it takes several pokes to get a good blood drop. Poking and squeezing his paw pad while telling him “almost done” is very difficult when he thinks I am lying.
I started out with a “Free Style” lancing device and it was very difficult to get a good drop, though Rusty felt every attempt. I gave up on the Free Style and reverted to poking with an insulin syringe, but Rusty really hated that. I finally acquired an “Accu-Chek Fast Click” which worked better with less response from Rusty, but still unreliable at getting a good sample the first time. I have the lancing device set on the deepest poke setting.
When I get a blood drop the first poke both Rusty and I are in heaven. Even the numerous tests of the glucose curve (which I am getting ready to perform again) would be workable if I could get a good blood sample the first time every time. My question is this: Has anyone encountered this paw pad glucose test sample acquisition difficulty?
When performing lancing device blood sample pokes, success is very unpredictable. I have watched numerous videos laying out the ease of the glucose test. Rusty is not like any of these docile dogs. The lips are untouchable. The ear is a very closely guarded area except when he wants me to rub inside. I have only one alternative at his time and it is his paw pad. Even that area is sensitive to my terrier friend.
As we have proceeded with our insulin balance program, I have performed two glucose curves at home. By the time I performed the second curve, I had to purchase a muzzle, as Rusty was beginning to nip at the poker. If I could get a good blood drop the first poke, I believe I could convince Rusty to cooperate, but many occasions it takes several pokes to get a good blood drop. Poking and squeezing his paw pad while telling him “almost done” is very difficult when he thinks I am lying.
I started out with a “Free Style” lancing device and it was very difficult to get a good drop, though Rusty felt every attempt. I gave up on the Free Style and reverted to poking with an insulin syringe, but Rusty really hated that. I finally acquired an “Accu-Chek Fast Click” which worked better with less response from Rusty, but still unreliable at getting a good sample the first time. I have the lancing device set on the deepest poke setting.
When I get a blood drop the first poke both Rusty and I are in heaven. Even the numerous tests of the glucose curve (which I am getting ready to perform again) would be workable if I could get a good blood sample the first time every time. My question is this: Has anyone encountered this paw pad glucose test sample acquisition difficulty?
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