Newly adopted kitty: was given Alphatrak and Lantus

ShilohVasquez

ShilohVasquez

Member Since 2016
I have a girl who was diagnosed with diabetes late last year. She was passed around between a few fosters since June, and I brought her home five days ago.

She is on 0.5 units of Lantus. I have her records and need to put them into a spreadsheet. But for now, I am wondering if I need to use something other than the Alphatrak meter. It came with Pet Sure strips that use code 22 but are not the Alphatrak branded strips. I have read on this site that they read low. I want to have accurate readings so I will know how to interpret the numbers I am getting.

I have a Contour Next human meter. Could I use that for a kitty? If so, what strips are recommended?

We go to the vet for the first time next week. I am just trying to be prepared. Thank you!
 
ShilohVasquez said:
I have a girl who was diagnosed with diabetes late last year. She was passed around between a few fosters since June, and I brought her home five days ago.

She is on 0.5 units of Lantus. I have her records and need to put them into a spreadsheet. But for now, I am wondering if I need to use something other than the Alphatrak meter. It came with Pet Sure strips that use code 22 but are not the Alphatrak branded strips. I have read on this site that they read low. I want to have accurate readings so I will know how to interpret the numbers I am getting.

I have a Contour Next human meter. Could I use that for a kitty? If so, what strips are recommended?

We go to the vet for the first time next week. I am just trying to be prepared. Thank you!
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Hi and Welcome! How wonderful that you adopted a diabetic kitty!!! I don't know enough to help you, but I wanted to say hello and bump you up to the top of the list. I hope someone who knows more will chime in.
 
ShilohVasquez said:
I have a girl who was diagnosed with diabetes late last year. She was passed around between a few fosters since June, and I brought her home five days ago.

She is on 0.5 units of Lantus. I have her records and need to put them into a spreadsheet. But for now, I am wondering if I need to use something other than the Alphatrak meter. It came with Pet Sure strips that use code 22 but are not the Alphatrak branded strips. I have read on this site that they read low. I want to have accurate readings so I will know how to interpret the numbers I am getting.

I have a Contour Next human meter. Could I use that for a kitty? If so, what strips are recommended?

We go to the vet for the first time next week. I am just trying to be prepared. Thank you!
Click to expand...
Hi and welcome to you both!:)
So glad you have found us.

Thank you so much for taking in a diabetic kitty. That is wonderful!

It is absolutely fine to use a human meter for cats......most of us do here.
The pet meter strips are very expensive and are an ongoing expense.

We recommend you do use a human meter as both our dosing methods are based on the human meter.
The human meter you have would be fine but I can't help you with the strips which go with it.
I'm not sure where you live but if in the US, Walmarts have very cheap human meters and strips....ReliOn brand.

Here is a link for new members which may help you

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/new-how-you-can-help-us-help-you.216680/

Ask us as many questions as you like.
Read all the yellow stickies at the top of this page
Bron
 
I use an Alphatrak and find freestyle insulinx strips are accurate in it. You can use a human meter but it reads lower than a pet meter. Normal on a human meter is 50-120 and on a pet meter it's 68-150.
 
Welcome, ur at the best place u can be on here, everyone is very helpful
And thank u for adopting a diabetic cat!!!!!!
 
I would agree with using a human meter - strips are much more affordable - just in case you get into testing multiple times a day like we do-we could easily go through $25 or $30 worth of strips on an active day! That's just not sustainable to get somewhat higher readings on a pet specific meter.

You're a wonderful person to adopt a kitty with diabetes - I'm sure you'll get back lots of love for saving her!
 
Mimis mom said:
Ok so I have freestyle lite strips and tried one in the meter and I think it worked!
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Ouch on those when you have to buy new ones. You can pick up a meter and strips at Walmart for a whole lot less...but of course use up what you have already first...and then keep in mind you can get a new meter and matching strips for half of what the FS Lite strips will cost you.
 
I’m really nervous to use cheap meter only because she’s been super sensitive and was just in ICU for DKA for 6 days
 
Mimis mom said:
I’m really nervous to use cheap meter only because she’s been super sensitive and was just in ICU for DKA for 6 days
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It's not about the price, but whatever you're comfortable with and can afford. Many members here have had very good results with human meters. :)
 
Thank you all for your replies and your kind words. My girl, Delilah, is still adjusting to her new home. I have had to adjust to testing twice a day and giving her lantus, too. We are finally getting into our routine. I'm still working on her spreadsheet but hope to have it done by tomorrow.
 
JanetNJ said:
I use an Alphatrak and find freestyle insulinx strips are accurate in it. You can use a human meter but it reads lower than a pet meter. Normal on a human meter is 50-120 and on a pet meter it's 68-150.
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I’d like to correct this fallacy of normal on a pet meter is 68-150. There is nothing that establishes this.

And, once again, I need to speak out against using human strips in a pet meter. It doesn’t matter how close your tests with the two are. It shouldn’t be done and I’m sure if you called the makers of the FS strips, they would advise you against it.
 
Which ever meter you choose will be fine. Many vets prefer that you use a meter for pets because they are more familiar with how those meters are calibrated. They are calibrated to be similar to laboratory tests. However, your vet will not be spending $1.00 per strip with an animal meter. Many of us have successfully used human meters with our cats. In fact, I used the previous generation of Contour meter with my cat for 6.5 years.

There is a huge volume of information in the sticky notes at the top of the board. They will help you to get oriented to this forum, Lantus, etc. Please take a look at the sticky on dosing methods when you have a chance. Selecting a dosing method is an important next step. Please let us know how we can help.

@Mimis mom, @JanetNJ:
I do have a problem with some of the information that has been posted. I would not recommend using a different manufacturer's strips in a meter. At one point, the Freestyle and AlphaTrack were made by the same company -- Abbott Pharmceuticals. The AlphaTrack was sold to Zoetis. Shoving a strip into a meter and getting a reading doesn't mean the strip is calibrated for that specific meter. IMHO, you may damage your meter, get inaccurate readings, or create any number of problems. Strips use a variety of different methods to arrive at a reading and the reagents on the strip may not match correctly with what the meter reads. Likewise, the price of the meter is irrelevant. Many meters are deliberately inexpensive so you will buy the meter. The biggest cost is the strips since they are an on going expense.
 
JanetNJ said:
I use an Alphatrak and find freestyle insulinx strips are accurate in it. You can use a human meter but it reads lower than a pet meter. Normal on a human meter is 50-120 and on a pet meter it's 68-150.
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only thing is I have tested the human against the pet (i have a freestyle lite and alphatrak2 and it read 222 on the human meter and 381 on the alphatrak??!)
 
JanetNJ said:
In that case you may want to also invest in a ketone blood meter. I use the keto MOJO from Amazon
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which one did you buy? I see one thats 59.99 for a meter, 10 ketone strips and 10 glucose strips.. I wonder if I can just buy the meter alone and the strips separate.
 
Mimis mom said:
only thing is I have tested the human against the pet (i have a freestyle lite and alphatrak2 and it read 222 on the human meter and 381 on the alphatrak??!)
Click to expand...
Mimis mom said:
which one did you buy? I see one thats 59.99 for a meter, 10 ketone strips and 10 glucose strips.. I wonder if I can just buy the meter alone and the strips separate.
Click to expand...

Rosa...it’s best to ask these question on a condo for Mimi. We try to avoid doing “condo hijacking” on another cat’s thread. :)

Thank you!!!
 
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