New to home testing - correct supplies?

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I'm in Canada so I can't get ReliOn products but I think I've read here that the Prime test strips take more blood and that there are (different?) test strips that work for both the Micro and Confirm meters. Not sure about using Prime strips in a Confirm meter.

The Neosporin ointment, not cream, is what's recommended. It's greasy and will help the blood to bead up. Many put it on at night after testing is done for the day. Some people use it more often and wipe off the excess beforetesting.
 
It looks like these lancets ship slower so I might have to buy them in person. Where can I buy 28-gauge lancets? In a drugstore or...?
 
It looks like these lancets ship slower so I might have to buy them in person. Where can I buy 28-gauge lancets? In a drugstore or...?
Yes, you can buy them in a human pharmacy. The thicker gauges (26 or 28) are sometimes labelled "for alternate site testing". If you want to use the spring loaded trigger holder to poke you might have to match the lancets to the holder that goes with the meter. If you want to free hand the poking as many of us prefer to do you can buy any brand. A Walmart pharmacy should carry all of the stuff.
 
The prime/micro strips say a 0.3mm sample of blood. Is that tiny?
I can't say for sure. You might want to post specifically about ReliOn test strips on the main health forum. I think the Micro and Confirm use the same strips. I thought the Primes needed more blood.
 
Huzzah :D I'm bringing Samson back to the vet on Weds. to talk and get the insulin, and the vet wants to test his levels again but that's very $$$. Since I'll be home testing should I decline?
 
Huzzah :D I'm bringing Samson back to the vet on Weds. to talk and get the insulin, and the vet wants to test his levels again but that's very $$$. Since I'll be home testing should I decline?
You can do a full curve at home and put that money on insulin and test strips. :) Some vets get touchy about people using a human meter though.
 
Hi Kris, thanks! my vet mentioned testing at home without me bringing it up, so I think she'll be open to it. I still don't understand what a "full curve" means though? Like a certain amount of data ascertained from doing several tests?
 
A full curve is usually getting a test every two hours for the 12 hours between the two doses.
 
Hi Kris, thanks! my vet mentioned testing at home without me bringing it up, so I think she'll be open to it. I still don't understand what a "full curve" means though? Like a certain amount of data ascertained from doing several tests?
curve:

a blood glucose curve. A curve is done to determine a cat's reaction to the insulin dosage. A blood glucose (BG) test is generally taken every 2 hours for a 12-hour period. The curve can also be a full 24-hour curve or a "mini curve." [Cat Blood Glucose Curves Education]
 
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