? Ketone Testing Question

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MiCo

MiCo

Member Since 2016
Quick question--
I'm having a hard time collecting fresh urine samples from my Cliff. Can anyone let me know if testing blood is OK for ketones, and if anyone does this--what device is recommended?

I was reading this link (from 2006) http://www.felinediabetes.com/ketones.htm
which recommends the Abbott Precision X meter

Does anyone have advise or experience with blood testing for ketones?

Thanks in advance!
 
I don't know the answer but put a question mark in front of your thread. you find it in the upper right side of page, just above the first post, it says thread tools, then edit and you can select the question mark. sorry if you already know about that, but I have to run and wanted to be sure you would know how to do it in case you didn't.
 
There are people on here who use a meter to test for ketones. You should get a reply from someone eventually.

Is Cliff shy about you approaching him in the litter box? I use a long-handled kitchen spoon (no longer in kitchen use!) and slip it ever so quietly under Teasel's bottom as he pees to collect a very small amount of urine. He often faces away when doing his business so it's not too difficult.
 
From the Health Links / FAQs about Feline Diabetes Forum:

Ketones, Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), and Blood Ketone Meters

Many of our members use either the Precision Xtra Glucose & Ketone Monitoring System or the Nova Max Plus blood/ketone meters.

The latest published research/studies in cats indicate ketones will begin to show up at readings of 2.4 and 2.55 on a blood ketone meter:

Measurement of ketones - Weingart_J VET Diagn Invest-2012(1).pdf
Measuring ketones - JSAP_Zeugswetter - 2012.pdf
 
Kris & Teasel said:
There are people on here who use a meter to test for ketones. You should get a reply from someone eventually.

Is Cliff shy about you approaching him in the litter box? I use a long-handled kitchen spoon (no longer in kitchen use!) and slip it ever so quietly under Teasel's bottom as he pees to collect a very small amount of urine. He often faces away when doing his business so it's not too difficult.
Click to expand...
Cliff is definitely shy, but also we live in a 3 story house and there are only litter boxes on the 1st and 2nd floors. It's hard to catch him in the act, and I can't hear from 2 floors up if anyone is in the box. I suppose I could add another box to the upper floor, but that's where we sleep and I don't know if they would use one in our bedroom. Sigh. I need more helpers around the house for testing and collecting samples!!
 
Jill & Alex (GA) said:
From the Health Links / FAQs about Feline Diabetes Forum:

Ketones, Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), and Blood Ketone Meters

Many of our members use either the Precision Xtra Glucose & Ketone Monitoring System or the Nova Max Plus blood/ketone meters.

The latest published research/studies in cats indicate ketones will begin to show up at readings of 2.4 and 2.55 on a blood ketone meter:

Measurement of ketones - Weingart_J VET Diagn Invest-2012(1).pdf
Measuring ketones - JSAP_Zeugswetter - 2012.pdf
Click to expand...
Thank you for the additional links! I swear that I do try to search the forums before posting my questions/starting new threads. Your patience with newbies is appreciated!!

I went ahead and ordered the Nova Max Plus meter directly from their site. They currently have a "free meter" deal if you buy testing strips: https://storefront.novacares.com/storefront/specials.html

I was hoping to find something in-store nearby that I could pick-up this weekend, or something that I could order same-day or next-day through Amazon, but I struck out. I think I'll just have to stalk the cat this weekend and try to get a urine sample, until this device shows up.
 
Hi MiCo,

MiCo said:
I went ahead and ordered the Nova Max Plus meter directly from their site.
Click to expand...
I don't think you'll regret the decision. I got one for Saoirse and found it great. The strips are pricey but one doesn't need to test for BBKs as often as one tests BG. The ability to check ketone status easily and predictably is very helpful indeed. Also it should give you an earlier warning to act than urine ketone testing.




Mogs
.
 
MiCo said:
I think I'll just have to stalk the cat this weekend and try to get a urine sample, until this device shows up.
Click to expand...
Try putting some plastic food wrap over the litter in the box - ideally in a 'favourite spot'. It should catch enough urine for you to test with a strip.


Mogs
.
 
MiCo said:
Thank you for the additional links! I swear that I do try to search the forums before posting my questions/starting new threads. Your patience with newbies is appreciated!!
Click to expand...
You're welcome! Your question was simply an opportunity to draw attention to a forum with a treasure trove of information... one that most don't even realize is there! Now anyone reading this thread will be reminded of another place to look for information. Thank you! :)
MiCo said:
I went ahead and ordered the Nova Max Plus meter directly from their site. They currently have a "free meter" deal if you buy testing strips: https://storefront.novacares.com/storefront/specials.html
Click to expand...
Nice! Thanks for the link!

Try a long-handled soup ladle to collect urine. It worked for us!
Good luck!

 
Critter Mom said:
Try putting some plastic food wrap over the litter in the box - ideally in a 'favourite spot'. It should catch enough urine for you to test with a strip.


Mogs
.
Click to expand...
Hi Mogs-
I have tried the plastic wrap. He avoided that box completely. :(
Right now we have a box lined with paper towels to see if we can catch something.
I doubt I will catch him "in the act" with a spoon, but I will try!
I might try aquarium rocks next, or even splurge for a litter box that collects the sample in a tray at the bottom. Oh my! :)
The fun never stops! This is what I spend my free time doing now... planning and researching ways to improve my diabtic kitty's life.
 
MiCo said:
Hi Mogs-
I have tried the plastic wrap. He avoided that box completely. :(
Right now we have a box lined with paper towels to see if we can catch something.
I doubt I will catch him "in the act" with a spoon, but I will try!
I might try aquarium rocks next, or even splurge for a litter box that collects the sample in a tray at the bottom. Oh my! :)
The fun never stops! This is what I spend my free time doing now... planning and researching ways to improve my diabtic kitty's life.
Click to expand...

:bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
My vet recently suggested using popcorn kernels--unpopped popcorn--in the litter box to get a urine sample. I haven't needed to try it & haven't seen it mentioned before, but it may be another option that would be inexpensive.
 
An update on ketones (with another question!) A bit of a cross-post, because I posted this in the ProZinc forum under a different thread:

On the topic of ketones:
  • The Nova Max Plus meter showed up today, yay!
    • Pro's: It's here.
    • Con's: There was no solution to do a control test.
  • I did a ketone strip test and it came back 0.6 -- which from what I can tell in the package insert and a quick google search online is right at the border of negative and trace ketones.
    • But if anyone has a better link to the ranges for blood ketones in cats, please let me know!
  • I saw there was a fresh urine sample in the downstairs box, so I did a urine test (or three) using the ketone stix and 1 of 3 looked "negative" while the other two *might* have been showing "trace." The difference between those two, negative and trace, sure is tricky!
So, I would I would lying if I didn't say I was concerned about Cliff's consistently high #s and the risks associated with that. While his energy did seem to improve when we started him on the insulin, I've noticed him being more lethargic since the end of last week. He is still eating, and peeing and drinking (but not excessively.) He has needed a little more prompting at his meal times to finish his plate, but he always gets up to eat, he always eats, and he always finishes his plate. No other symptoms to note.

My plan is to keep an eye on his ketones and general health, but I'm not sure how often to test, or when I should worry/contact the vet.*

*I am also trying not to stress out too much... so please, share your experiences on this topic, but try not to freak me out too much. :) Thank you!

QUESTION--does anyone testing ketones using blood/meter have a list of values that I should be looking at? I'm not sure what range is OK, and what range means I should be taking him to the vet.
 
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