? Different meter readings

[Lisa and Smoky]

I recently took Smoky to the vet on Wednesday. He was checked for pancreatitis and his test results came back. His pancreas is inflamed and the vet also gave me a B12 supplement to give him.
I took along my Relion Micro to compare with the one they use at the vet, the Bayer Contour. Their meter runs 20 higher then their machine in the lab. My Relion meter runs 90 higher, does anyone have any insight into different meters and how accurate they are?

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

Don't drive yourself crazy by trying to compare meters!!

ALL meters are allowed to have up to a 20% variance from what you'd get in a professional lab on the same drop of blood, so if you get a test of 200, it could be as low as 160 or as high as 240...or anything in between

Pick one meter and just stick with it....what we watch for are "trends" more than individual numbers....."Is the current dose usually getting them where we want them?" is the question we ask

The really important number on a human meter is 50.....If you get a test under 50, that's your "time to act" (by giving a little high carb food or Karo/honey/syrup) because although 50 is safe, it's as low as we want to see them since there's not much of a safety net below that

 

[BJM]

See my signature link on glucometer and lab reference numbers.

 

[Critter Mom]

Hi Lisa,

I'm sorry to hear that Smoky's pancreas is inflamed. Here are two resources that are very helpful:

Nausea & appetite problems and treatments (great resource for learning about clinical signs to be aware of)

IDEXX pancreatitis treatment guidelines

I recommend you bookmark the pages for future reference. The IDEXX document is extremely helpful.

A full course of B12 injections can help a lot and IDEXX recommend monthly B12 jabs for maintenance.

If Smokey does get nauseated ondansetron can work very well to help such problems. It can be a little constipating (some generics more so than others). In the UK ondansetron generic is less than 1/10 the price of the branded version, Zofran. Not sure about prices where you are.

Make sure you always have a supply of the necessary supportive meds for nausea and appetite problems at home so that you are in a position to give treatments promptly should the need ever arise: a prompt response can help stop a potential flare in its tracks. Needless to say, always keep your vet in the loop.

Watching for nausea clinical signs when Smoky eats (e.g. 'yawny' lip licking or meatloaf crouching/hiding after eating) may give you a guide to which foods agree with him better than others. (If only they could talk ...) Seeking out cooler surfaces to lie on is another sign of discomfort.

Smaller, more frequent meals can also help a lot (a timed feeder is invaluable in this respect) as is keeping Smoky properly hydrated.

Sending special anti-inflammatory vibes to Smoky.




Mogs
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[Lisa and Smoky]

Thank you for those resources! they were very helpful. Smoky does have meds for nausea which have worked well for him. I also have pills to increase his appetite which is so much better now.
I do feed him at least 3 to 4 smaller meals per day which his vet suggested. He has also started on a regimen of B 12 injections.

 

[jacereske]

Thank you for those resources! they were very helpful. Smoky does have meds for nausea which have worked well for him. I also have pills to increase his appetite which is so much better now.
I do feed him at least 3 to 4 smaller meals per day which his vet suggested. He has also started on a regimen of B 12 injections.

Lisa, my other diabetic kitty also has pancreatitis. Are you on Facebook? There is a very helpful support group called IBD kitties. A lot of people there have kitties with pancreatitis and other GI issues.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/IBDKitties/

How are you and Smoky doing?

 

[Lisa and Smoky]

Lisa, my other diabetic kitty also has pancreatitis. Are you on Facebook? There is a very helpful support group called IBD kitties. A lot of people there have kitties with pancreatitis and other GI issues.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/IBDKitties/

How are you and Smoky doing?

I do have a FB account so I will check on the link you sent a little later. Smoky and I are doing OK right now. He is bugging me for his food a lot of the time now. It's actually a good thing as he is eating more now and gaining a little of his weight back. His numbers are a little high at times, he is up to two units of vetsulin twice a day now.