Question about using Freestyle lite strips

[kayteacat]

Hello,
Karo and I are very new in to the diabetes life style. I just received an alphatrak 2 BG monitor by mail yesterday, recommended by my vet. We've only done two tests so far, the first was yesterday, 4 hours after he ate, and it was at 297. He was diagnosed with diabetes at 479. This morning before his breakfast he was at 313.

First question is, is that a good improvement? In my joining the forums post I mentioned he is now strictly on wet food, 6 days in. Or could the difference from 313 to 479 just be the added stress from being at the vet. I'm assuming from being stressed that he may average 300's, and the stress was the increase.

Second question is, does anyone have any experience in using Freestyle BG strips in an Alphatrak 2 monitor, and what is your opinion, and hopefully advice? Alphatrak strips come out to a dollar a strip (50 for $50) as many are aware, but Freestyle doubles the amount of strips you get, 100 strips for 43 on Amazon. Or, if it's a better idea just to get a human one like Relion, what is the best one. I'm a little worried about using a human one since it's not specifically calibrated for animals

I'd like to use what is best for him and most accurate, especially just starting out. I'm rather nervous about all of this and want to make sure I'm doing what's best for him, but also not going in to debt buying these strips.

Thank you in advance for your time. <3

 

[Kris & Teasel]

We've only done two tests so far, the first was yesterday, 4 hours after he ate, and it was at 297. He was diagnosed with diabetes at 479. This morning before his breakfast he was at 313.

First question is, is that a good improvement?

These three numbers can't really tell you much other than the 479 at the vet's isn't surprising. The stress of being there will often raise BG. These BGs are definitely in the diabetic range. Is the wet food you're feeding low carb? Any of the sauce/gravy types are high in carbs. The Friskies and Fancy Feast pates are economical low carb options.

does anyone have any experience in using Freestyle BG strips in an Alphatrak 2 monitor

Yes, I've done that. The readings are fairly close to what the AT strips would give in the AT meter, often within 10%. You have to do some comparison tests on the same drop of blood every time you open a new vial of Freestyle strips to make sure you have a good idea of the difference.

Many people use a human meter because of the exorbitant cost of AT strips. Walmart's ReliOn brand is popular. Those people who have a vet that insists on data from a pet meter use the AT only when they're gathering data for the vet. They use a human meter day to day.

I'd like to use what is best for him and most accurate, especially just starting ou

Everyone on the forum understands how to interpret BG numbers on human and pet meters. They're both acceptable. A human meter will read lower and the difference with a pet meter will be less at low BGs and more at high BGs. There's no conversion factor though. It's a matter of learning to think in terms of one meter or the other - what too high, OK and too low is on each type of meter.

 

[kayteacat]

These three numbers can't really tell you much other than the 479 at the vet's isn't surprising. The stress of being there will often raise BG. These BGs are definitely in the diabetic range. Is the wet food you're feeding low carb? Any of the sauce/gravy types are high in carbs. The Friskies and Fancy Feast pates are economical low carb options.


Yes, I've done that. The readings are fairly close to what the AT strips would give in the AT meter, often within 10%. You have to do some comparison tests on the same drop of blood every time you open a new vial of Freestyle strips to make sure you have a good idea of the difference.

Many people use a human meter because of the exorbitant cost of AT strips. Walmart's ReliOn brand is popular. Those people who have a vet that insists on data from a pet meter use the AT only when they're gathering data for the vet. They use a human meter day to day.


Everyone on the forum understands how to interpret BG numbers on human and pet meters. They're both acceptable. A human meter will read lower and the difference with a pet meter will be less at low BGs and more at high BGs. There's no conversion factor though. It's a matter of learning to think in terms of one meter or the other - what too high, OK and too low is on each type of meter.

Karo is eating Fancy Feast classic pate in chicken. He doesn't care much for it, but gets hungry enough to eat it when there's no other option. I can tell he doesn't like the consistency.
This is all great information, thank you. I'll be picking up a Relion as well, then.
I'm waiting on my vet to call me back so I can relay info and make an appointment to be shown how to administer insulin.

When you say comparisons with the Freestyle strips, do you mean using a AT and a FS to see if they still read the same?

 

[Kris & Teasel]

Karo is eating Fancy Feast classic pate in chicken. He doesn't care much for it, but gets hungry enough to eat it when there's no other option. I can tell he doesn't like the consistency.
This is all great information, thank you. I'll be picking up a Relion as well, then.
I'm waiting on my vet to call me back so I can relay info and make an appointment to be shown how to administer insulin.

When you say comparisons with the Freestyle strips, do you mean using a AT and a FS to see if they still read the same?

Yes. Put an AT strip in the AT meter and get a test result. Then put a FS strip in the AT meter and test the same blood drop. This will give you an idea of how they compare. I suggest doing this a couple of times when you begin a new vial of FS strips. Leave the AT meter set to whatever the cat code number is for the vial of AT strips.

 

[kayteacat]

Yes. Put an AT strip in the AT meter and get a test result. Then put a FS strip in the AT meter and test the same blood drop. This will give you an idea of how they compare. I suggest doing the a couple of times when you begin a new vial of FS strips. Leave the AT meter set to whatever the cat code number is for the vial of AT strips.

Okay, gotcha. Thank you very much.

 

[Yong & Maury GA]

I do this too when I use my AT2 meter. Just make sure they are FreeStyle Lite test strips, they look identical to AT strips . Also, last time I checked for them on Amazon I couldn't find them anymore. There's an awesome listing on E-bay, ends in less than a day. Current bid is at $27 for 26g lancets and 100 strips Even if you pay $50, that still comes to half price of AT2 strips and you get some lancets!

 

[kayteacat]

I do this too when I use my AT2 meter. Just make sure they are FreeStyle Lite test strips, they look identical to AT strips . Also, last time I checked for them on Amazon I couldn't find them anymore. There's an awesome listing on E-bay, ends in less than a day. Current bid is at $27 for 26g lancets and 100 strips Even if you pay $50, that still comes to half price of AT2 strips and you get some lancets!

I'm having the same problem, I can find the meters but not the refill strips. Wow, that's a great deal!! I'm tempted to get it but I'm also thinking maybe I should just go ahead and get a Relion meter so I can start getting familiar with something that has the strips readily available.

I'm about to head to our Wal Mart and other stores to see what I can find. I'm hoping to get a low carb fancy feast today that hes more in to. He's still stuck on wanting just seafood.. little picky boy.

 

[Yong & Maury GA]

Might be too late but you could try those flavours that still have a seafood flavour but also Chicken. I know Friskies makes Chicken & Tuna and Chicken & Oceanfish

 

[kayteacat]

Might be too late but you could try those flavours that still have a seafood flavour but also Chicken. I know Friskies makes Chicken & Tuna and Chicken & Oceanfish

Thanks! I got a couple cans of FF oceanfish and the cod and shrimp one and did equal parts of each. I'll look in to the Friskies ones though. I've only ever really given them FF or real expensive stuff from Mud Bay, so I don't really know nutrition on other kinds. I thought I remembered seeing FF just overall looking the best in terms of carbs and fat %, but I'm new to this stuff..

 

[Marlena]

I use Freestyle LITE strips in AlphaTrak and did a lot of comparisons and I think it gives me a good idea that Freestyle strips are quite close. For example: BG of 117 measured with FS would give me 131 measured with ATr test strips. On a lower number like 72 both strips were reading almost the same value of BG so the higher the number the more of a difference you would notice.
The only thing is, I would maybe suggest that because you are just starting it would be best to stick to ATr test strips for now (if you can afford it) and see how you are getting on with it otherwise it might be a bit too complicated. I have been doing this diabetic dance for 3 years now so have plenty of experience with different meters and test strips.
Good luck, keeping my fingers crossed and sending healing vines to you and your kitty.
Marlena

 

[kayteacat]

I use Freestyle LITE strips in AlphaTrak and did a lot of comparisons and I think it gives me a good idea that Freestyle strips are quite close. For example: BG of 117 measured with FS would give me 131 measured with ATr test strips. On a lower number like 72 both strips were reading almost the same value of BG so the higher the number the more of a difference you would notice.
The only thing is, I would maybe suggest that because you are just starting it would be best to stick to ATr test strips for now (if you can afford it) and see how you are getting on with it otherwise it might be a bit too complicated. I have been doing this diabetic dance for 3 years now so have plenty of experience with different meters and test strips.
Good luck, keeping my fingers crossed and sending healing vines to you and your kitty.
Marlena

Thank you very much for the info, that's interesting about the numbers and I will keep it in mind.
I really can't afford to constantly use AT2 strips so I'm hoping that this Relion Prime will be okay. Just waiting the strips to come in the mail.
Taking him in tomorrow to be shown how to administer his insulin. I'm pretty nervous about doing it, but I'm sure anyone who isn't used to injections is at first.

 

[Yong & Maury GA]

If his ears are bleeding well, you shouldn't have any issues with the ReliOn Prime.
Going to leave you with the Spreadsheet instructions now: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/fdmb-spreadsheet-instructions.130337/
And if you wouldn't mind setting up your Signature with some information about Karo : http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/editing-your-signature-profile-and-preferences.130340/
Since you are going to start insulin, I will also leave you this to read ahead of time and hope you'll never need it: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-treat-hypos-they-can-kill-print-this-out.15887/

Don't be nervous, majority of kitties don't feel a thing . Just remember, all of this is to help Karo

 

[kayteacat]

If his ears are bleeding well, you shouldn't have any issues with the ReliOn Prime.
Going to leave you with the Spreadsheet instructions now: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/fdmb-spreadsheet-instructions.130337/
And if you wouldn't mind setting up your Signature with some information about Karo : http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/editing-your-signature-profile-and-preferences.130340/
Since you are going to start insulin, I will also leave you this to read ahead of time and hope you'll never need it: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-treat-hypos-they-can-kill-print-this-out.15887/

Don't be nervous, majority of kitties don't feel a thing . Just remember, all of this is to help Karo

You're very kind. Thank you for your time. Everyone here as been awesome, I really appreciate the support. <3
Not sure what to make of the spreadsheets as far as using them, I don't have Excel. :/

 

[Kris & Teasel]

You're very kind. Thank you for your time. Everyone here as been awesome, I really appreciate the support. <3
Not sure what to make of the spreadsheets as far as using them, I don't have Excel. :/

The SS lives online, not on your computer. You need a Google account/email address and there are techies on here who can set it up for you. We rely on it heavily when we offer advice.

 

[MJW]

Interesting that FreeStyle strips are similar or equal to AlphaTrak strips. I just ordered a 100 count box of FreeStyle 28 gauge lancets (made by Abbott) for about $9. In the Amazon picture they look exactly the same as the 100 count box of AlphaTrak 28 gauge lancets (made by Abbott) that sell for about $20.

 

[Kris & Teasel]

Interesting that FreeStyle strips are similar or equal to AlphaTrak strips. I just ordered a 100 count box of FreeStyle 28 gauge lancets (made by Abbott) for about $9. In the Amazon picture they look exactly the same as the 100 count box of AlphaTrak 28 gauge lancets (made by Abbott) that sell for about $20.

Those lancets are identical. I've had both side by side to compare. Yet another example of "If it's a vet product, let's jack up the price!"

 

[Marlena]

Those lancets are identical. I've had both side by side to compare. Yet another example of "If it's a vet product, let's jack up the price!"

It boils my blood!