Home Testing

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Ali Stretmater

Ali Stretmater

Member Since 2017
I'd like to start home testing using a Relion meter, but I'm at a complete loss how to do this! Also, is there a link somewhere to a conversion chart for the numbers? TIA!
 
Hi,

Are you looking for a video on how test your cat? I did a google of you tube - there was plenty of different options for methods. That said - it is going to be hard to begin with. Kitty needs to learn to bleed and you need to learn not be nervous. :) It is doable - don't give up.

Little confused on the conversion chart question though.

Here is one that one of our members did up.


 
Ali, could you summarize what you do know at this point about how to home test? Like, do you need "First, you must go to Store X and buy X, Y, and Z," or is it more "Here is the sequence to follow when you do a test," or "How do I get my cat to put up with this?"
 
Ali Stretmater said:
conversion chart for the numbers?
Click to expand...
If you mean a conversion chart for human meter numbers versus pet meter numbers, there isn't one. You have to become familiar with the BG range for too high, OK and too low on whichever type of meter you use and not try to think in both simultaneously.
 
It will get easier. Keep everything you need nearby, make sure you're nowhere near running out of anything and most of all don't be nervous. We've all been there. Noah is my second diabetic cat but I've been where you are now, thinking about poking holes in my cat, seeing the blood etc. Keep calm, figure out a place to test with good lighting, maybe even in his favourite basket, no distractions from other cats or loud noises. You'll need the right syringes, lancets, test strips and keep careful track of when you tested, amount injected, the blood sugar levels before and after testing and how all this affects his mood, eating habits and appetite. That seems like a lot right now but look how many members are in this group. Copy and read all the info in the forums and never ever be afraid to ask a question no matter how stupid you think it sounds. We all put our pride aside for the health of our cats. You wouldn't be here if you didn't care and love your cat. Otherwise you'd be one of those awful people who thinks it would just be better to put the cat "to sleep". It's not sleep, it's being too stupid and lazy to care. How easy can it get? I thump Noah's basket and he gets in. He knows what's coming and that it might hurt but he trusts me. Better than hiding behind the furnace. Did I say welcome to the group? You're always welcome here, we're not snobs and there's someone here 24/7.
 
Squeakycats said:
Ali, could you summarize what you do know at this point about how to home test? Like, do you need "First, you must go to Store X and buy X, Y, and Z," or is it more "Here is the sequence to follow when you do a test," or "How do I get my cat to put up with this?"
Click to expand...
What I need help with is how to test, and the sequence of testing/feeding/shooting. I've just bought a Relion Confirm meter and strips. As for the conversion chart, what I'm trying ask is what numbers I should be looking for (high, low, etc), since I've heard that the numbers on a human meter will be different from ones on animal meter
 
Thank you all so much for the advice and support, it really helps and means a lot! I bought a Relion Confirm meter and strips, and a few flavors of Fancy Feast classic pate for him, and I'm on the path of TikiCat (which is hard to find in my small town). I need to watch videos, etc, on home testing - IDK anything about it at all. So far, he and his sister have only eaten a little today and I'm trying to calm down as best I can, but TBH I'm fighting the urge to have a complete meltdown and/or cry, I'm still really stressed out!
 
More help is coming from people smarter than me. As the weekend starts there will be a lot more people on the site.
 
Ali Stretmater said:
What I need help with is how to test, and the sequence of testing/feeding/shooting. I've just bought a Relion Confirm meter and strips. As for the conversion chart, what I'm trying ask is what numbers I should be looking for (high, low, etc), since I've heard that the numbers on a human meter will be different from ones on animal meter
Click to expand...
Ok so what you want to do is about 20-30 min before the shot time you will test, then feed, then shoot. So say you shoot at 7 am and 7 pm, you will test at 6:30ish, then feed, then shoot at 7. Shots are 12 hours apart. You are using a human meter, so the "Normal range" (what you are ultimately aiming for) is 50-120. (It's a marathon, so it could take a while to find the right dose)... The most important number is that 50... That's the take action number. We don't want to go lower than that.

Have on hand honey/Karo syrup and some high carb gravy food just in case the cat ever goes too low. It's happened to almost all of us, but it's how you will steer the numbers back up. I have a testing video link in my signature.
 
Hi Ali! And welcome! It's great that you're getting started with home testing, but before you do that, it's okay to sit down and have that cry. This whole thing is really stressful at first. We've all been there, and I bet a bunch of us cried (at least I know I did!).

You're going to get through this, and you're already taking important steps to take care of your kitty, and to take control of this whole situation. We are all here to help and support you in any way we can, so please ask any questions you think of, or just come and vent.

Janet did a great job of explaining how to test/feed/shoot on Vetsulin, but other insulins have different "rules" around the timing. If I remember right, you are using prozinc, right? There is a forum for people who use prozinc at http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/prozinc-pzi.24/

You can post an introduction there and we can help you figure out how your insulin works. Sending you hugs :bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Don't worry, it's going to be ok!!!!!! I did a lot of crying--the first few times I pricked my kitty's ear, my hands were shaking so badly I almost couldn't do it, and his weight loss completely freaked me out; I was afraid he would die. That was just a few weeks ago, and the home testing has already become kind of routine for both him and me--I'm not saying either of us is nuts about it, but I know how to get the job done, and he likes all the special attention he's getting. The testing videos are helpful. For what it's worth, I still don't have much luck with the so-called "sweet spot"--I often have to just go for it and prick the actual vein, and so far that has been ok! And he has gained back all the weight he lost, eating low-carb food that seems to be good for him. His coat is shiny again, and he's out here meowing and complaining at me rather than hiding under the bed. People here say "every cat is different," but there seem to be an awful lot of success stories--I found it helpful to just look at the spreadsheets in people's signatures and see the different rates at which their kitties have made progress.

About the Tiki Cat, I often buy it online (via Amazon or PetFoodDirect or Chewy.com--whoever has the best deal at the moment). If you haven't fed it before, you may want to get one of their samplers to see what your kitties prefer. You could also try the Fancy Feast Classics if they don't like that and just aren't eating; a lot of cats do seem to love the stuff, and it's low carb and widely available (if you're in the US, anyway).

Hope your day is going ok!!!!! Lots of hugs to you and your kitties!
 
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