CAT MAY BE IN VERY LOW NUMBERS - 24 on ALPHATRAK - HELP NEEDED ASAP

Status
Not open for further replies.
MrWorfMen's Mom said:
Yes, that's what I am expecting too Mary Ann. Mogs summoned me to the "party" 'cause she just got Saoirse home and is still feeling totally wasted from the last week or so she's gone through. Thanks for chiming in! :D
Click to expand...

I saw Mogs post and was so glad you were here. She has had such a rough time lately and shouldn't have to handle a crisis (or potential one :) )

It is a good thing there are a decent number of AT2 users here
 
Janelle, it's quite the family here and we make sure EVERY KITTY is safe and their Beans (short for humans ) are not left alone to deal with any hypo or potential hypo situations.

@Tuxedo Mom Good point Mary Ann. I kept thinking the 08 didn't sound right but it didn't totally register with me. Gotta let supper settle a bit before my brain clicks in I guess. As for the AT meters, I am amazed by the number of new users recently. Been keeping tabs and need a new page in my notebook!

Oh my Menace alarm. Gotta go look after my sugar! Will check back in around 11:15 and await that pre ZZZ reading!
 
Janelle said:
OK, just used control slution and got reading of 146 mg/gl. Info in inst inert states proper reading is between 100-185 mg/dl for cats, so sounds like thats good?
Click to expand...

It should be in the range on the bottle of strips.
 
Last edited:
Yes Mogs I think it's safe to take down the 911.

Glad to hear Saoirse has eaten for you. You have the magic touch with her and being in her own environment with those she loves will make things much more comfortable for her. :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
MrWorfMen's Mom said:
@Critter Mom @Tuxedo Mom Just checked my list of kitty codes we are aware of and 08 is one of them. :confused: Interesting that Janelle got such a low number as I never expected the algorithms to be that different. Really interested to see what that pre-bedtime reading is now!
Click to expand...


I have had code 08 on some of my strips (in Canada). I believe that is one of the codes that you get on AT2 strips only in Canada. I have no idea if the strips in the US and Canada are made in the same place or if they come from different plants. Also it is possible the meters in Canada are set up different since they are set for mmol/l rather than mg/l. Interesting observation though.


ETA The most important thing is getting a test reading within the correct range of numbers as listed on the strip vial. I believe this range will always be the same. My vial shows 100-185 mg/l or 5.5-10.27 mmol/l. As long as the reading falls within the control solution range then it should be good.
 
Last edited:
911 now taken down from thread title.

MrWorfMen's Mom said:
Interesting that Janelle got such a low number as I never expected the algorithms to be that different. Really interested to see what that pre-bedtime reading is now!
Click to expand...

Very interesting indeed. Unless it just happened to be a really wonky test. (On very rare occasions my Alphatrak 2 has thrown me some seriously out of whack readings.)


Mogs
.
 
Critter Mom said:
911 now taken down from thread title.



Very interesting indeed. Unless it just happened to be a really wonky test. (I've had a few of those on the Alphatrak 2.)


Mogs
.
Click to expand...

It could be a combination of a wonky strip AND the wrong coding. Once I get some more AT2 strips I would like to do some playing around with codes ...just for fun :)


ETA This does show the importance of doing test solution testings with each new container of strips!
 
Tuxedo Mom said:
I have no idea if the strips in the US and Canada are made in the same place or if they come from different plants. Also it is possible the meters in Canada are set up different since they are set for mmol/l rather than mg/l. Interesting observation though.
Click to expand...
If you check your boxes of Freestyle and AT strips they are all manufactured in Ireland. Whether all the control testing to get the codes for the AT meter are done in Ireland or elsewhere is anybody's guess. According to my meter manual customer care for US and Canada are at the same number so likely in same location and under specs it says it reads either mmol or mg. So I don't know exactly how they differentiate between those of us in Canada, US, UK etc. Uk has a different customer service number but I guess that's to be expected.

@Critter Mom Yes, there has been the odd wonky reading here too and the odd bad strip that just wouldn't read at all , :banghead: so anything is possible. Isn't technology grand!?! Ohh! forgot being able to take the laptop to the kitchen.....nix that remark!
 
MrWorfMen's Mom said:
If you check your boxes of Freestyle and AT strips they are all manufactured in Ireland. Whether all the control testing to get the codes for the AT meter are done in Ireland or elsewhere is anybody's guess.
Click to expand...

Just to further hijack this thread...interesting thing I found out. The test solution for the FS Lite meter works fine with the AT2 meter. So the solutions are probably the same for the AT2 and the FS Lite and only the meter settings are different.
 
Tuxedo Mom said:
The test solution for the FS Lite meter works fine with the AT2 meter. So the solutions are probably the same for the AT2 and the FS Lite and only the meter settings are different
Click to expand...
That's too funny! I've been using AT control solution on the Freestyle strips and it works! I'm too am betting they are the same!
 
MrWorfMen's Mom said:
That's too funny! I've been using AT control solution on the Freestyle strips and it works! I'm too am betting they are the same!
Click to expand...


I got 2 bottles of FS Lite solution for free from the company and tried side buy side comparisons (as I am so inclined to do) with AT2 meter/AT2 strips with bothe solutions and AT2 meter/FS Lite strips with both solutions and they all were within range. I have spent a small fortune on strips on experimenting but I just can't help myself :smuggrin:
 
Just checked again and his GB was 234 at 11:17 pm eastern. Any thoughts as to whether or not I should give him insulin now or wait till the am?
 
Janelle said:
Just checked again and his GB was 234 at 11:17 pm eastern. Any thoughts as to whether or not I should give him insulin now or wait till the am?
Click to expand...


Trooper's number is certainly safe to give insulin, but will you be able to do another test(s) tonite and will that mess up your schedule for giving insulin?
 
Janelle, you usually shoot every 12 hours so if you shoot now, are you going to be able to keep to a 12 hour schedule with the new shot time (i.e. 11:30am or is this going to mess with your life? If no problem, then yes you can give Trooper his shot. If yes, I suggest you hold off until tomorrow morning after a test and feeding providing his numbers are high enough for a shot and if there is any question, post here for some guidance. Usually for new folks without a lot of data, we recommend not shooting with any reading below 200 as long as your cat has not got any ketones or any history of Diabetic ketoacidosis. If there is a history, some insulin but at a reduced dose may be the better choice thus suggesting posting for guidance.
 
Thats what Im wondering too! His max dosage right now is 1 unit. I usually give him a half unit of Pro Zinc when his sugar is between 150-199.
 
Janelle, you hold the needle so if you are comfortable giving 0.5units, then do that. If you can stay up to test again around +3, then you could give 1u to test again and make sure Trooper is safe. I tend to err on the side of caution and without any data to look at it's impossible to tell you that 1u is OK.
 
I think I may give him a half unit tonight, then resume regular schedule in the am, around 7:45 am. I want to thank each and every one of you for all your assistance tonight! I was almost in tears when I saw the reading of 24 and had no clue what to do!!!! Mr Worfmen's Mom, your baby looks a lot like my Trooper. Handsome, black short hair. My Trooper is also an amputee. He really does live up to his name!
 
Janelle, if you give the insulin now, you can't give it again until around 11:30am tomorrow. You have a little flexibility but not that much with ProZinc!
 
Oh I see. I have to work tomorrow, so I cant stay up for 3 more hrs to check, so I will check him around 7:15 in the am. He is acting very normal, so I guess that will be the best way to go. I feel sure I will probably need to administer insulin in the am, based upon his legit readings tonight. My computer shut off suddenly (what can u expect from an 8 year old mac) so had to sign back on!
 
Janelle, you are more than welcome. We love sweet kitties and their parents and just want to help! My avatar is my Menace and she too lives up to her name and I love her for it!

I would suggest you print this out and hang it on your fridge or somewhere handy so if yu happen to encounter a low number in the future, you know how to respond to it.

I also suggest you set up a spreadsheet to track Trooper's readings so when you need assistance or guidance, there is data available to the folks here to see and give you reasonable suggestions. The instructions for the spreadsheet are here and if you have any problems, we can always set it up for you to get you started. I personally find it one of the best tools in my armoury.
 
Those are awesome ideas! Going to print this now and then sign off for the night. You folks are just God sends!! I hope I can repay the favor someday and play it forward!
 
If I am correct the last insulin Trooper had was around 7:30AM your time and it is about 11:30PM.
Janelle said:
Oh I see. I have to work tomorrow, so I cant stay up for 3 more hrs to check, so I will check him around 7:15 in the am. He is acting very normal, so I guess that will be the best way to go. I feel sure I will probably need to administer insulin in the am, based upon his legit readings tonight. My computer shut off suddenly (what can u expect from an 8 year old mac) so had to sign back on!
Click to expand...


That sounds like the best plan. If you want to change the times you do the insulin, if an earlier time suits you better, you can certainly do that tomorrow morning.
MrWorfMen's Mom said:
I also suggest you set up a spreadsheet to track Trooper's readings so when you need assistance or guidance, there is data available to the folks here to see and give you reasonable suggestions. The instructions for the spreadsheet are here and if you have any problems, we can always set it up for you to get you started. I personally find it one of the best tools in my armoury.
Click to expand...

Linda is giving some excellent advice. Having a spreadsheet makes it easier for you to follow Trooper's progress and allows ready information for anyone to assist you with advice.
 
One last thing before we all hit the sack....(Oh Mary Ann may be up a little longer :p), you no doubt will see a much higher number tomorrow AM so don't panic. But until you get some data and understand the meter and see how Trooper is doing, maybe stick with the 0.5u for a few days just to get a baseline if you aren't around all day to watch him. Data is a godsend with our kitties! Sweet dreams all!
 
MrWorfMen's Mom said:
One last thing before we all hit the sack....(Oh Mary Ann may be up a little longer :p), you no doubt will see a much higher number tomorrow AM so don't panic. But until you get some data and understand the meter and see how Trooper is doing, maybe stick with the 0.5u for a few days just to get a baseline if you aren't around all day to watch him. Data is a godsend with our kitties! Sweet dreams all!
Click to expand...

I am off to bed..shot time is just over 4 hours from now.

As Linda said without the shot tonight Trooper will most likely be higher, but not to panic. Just continue with the 1/2 unit until you have more data and your spreadsheet set up. Tomorrow you can post a new "thread" on the Feline Health forum(where you are now):

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/feline-health-the-main-forum.28/

Or you can post on the prozinc forum:

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/prozinc-pzi.24/

Then you can see where you go from there. Have a good night :bighug:
 
Love your avatar! Trooper is indeed adorable and handsome. He does look a lot like my Menace! Are you the runner in the family? I think your avatar is a wonderful advertisement for a rescue group! Well I have got to go get some shut eye. Will be watching for you in the days to come!:D
 
Yes, there is a rescue group in Raleigh, NC called Safe Haven for Cats. A wonderful place for homeless kitties . They do have a 5k each year to raise funds. I like to work out, but sadly, Im not a great runner. I do enjoy that race and helping raise money for a great cause! Good night! Talk to you soon! :)
 
Janelle said:
I was almost in tears when I saw the reading of 24 and had no clue what to do!!!!
Click to expand...
I'm so glad that you posted for help, Janelle, and I'm even more glad that Trooper is doing fine. That's one handsome kitty you've got there, and a great avatar pic! :)

I see Linda has already given you the link to the hypo document. Make a written note on your printed that 68mg/dL is the lower limit of BG on an Alphatrak meter and the point where you need to intervene with honey/karo to bring blood glucose levels back up.


Mogs
.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top