12/28 Tessa AMPS 281 +2 211 +3 201 +4 160 +6 161 PMPS 114 +2 88

[tessa's mom]

Yesterday: https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/thr...47-increased-dose-and-libre-wonkiness.272294/

I'm suspicious of the PM +6 and the pink at +9 being accurate because the Libre seems to read too high on the higher numbers but I guess it could be accurate.

I think the Libre sensor is failing. There's a gap in the chart overnight aside from the gap between when I went to bed and the 8 hours of data that the sensor can hold. It's also giving me the "scan again in 10 minutes" error over and over again this morning. My husband got a scan at 6:11am but I haven't been able to get any data since then and it's been over an hour and a half already.

I've closed off the bedroom so she can't hide under the bed because I think we'll probably be doing mostly manual tests today.

 

[Bandit's Mom]

And it looks like it might be a bounce clearing cycle to add to your fun!

You could go by the Libre and only verify suspicious/wonky readings to reduce the number of pokes.

 

[tessa's mom]

And it looks like it might be a bounce clearing cycle to add to your fun!

You could go by the Libre and only verify suspicious/wonky readings to reduce the number of pokes.

Super fun lol.

I did get some feedback on the sensor data from a human diabetic who uses the Libre sensors. They suggested that the wonky readings could be dehydration and I wonder if they're right. Tessa had a bit of very soft stool overnight. She gets diarrhea/soft stool sometimes and the vet isn't really sure why. She had a bacterial infection a few months back but we treated it when antibiotics and she still gets intermittent diarrhea/soft stool so I give her s. boulardii. I've been slacking on it lately but I'll add it back in today and that should firm things up.

I'll also add extra water to her canned food just in case. We'll see if the readings get more accurate. I did a manual test at +2 because the app gave me the "wait 10 minutes" error.

 

[Suzanne & Darcy]

So frustrating (the Libre being wonky). So far yellow today. Hope the testing goes well... funny you keeping her away from the bed... she likes to go there if you start annoying her with too much testing?

 

[tessa's mom]

So frustrating (the Libre being wonky). So far yellow today. Hope the testing goes well... funny you keeping her away from the bed... she likes to go there if you start annoying her with too much testing?

Yep, she runs under the bed and hides in the middle. We do have a split king so I can push the beds apart to get her out but I'd rather just keep her out of the bedroom. She has plenty of cozy places to hang out outside the bedroom so I don't feel bad not letting her in there.

 

[tessa's mom]

The Libre and ReliOn meter are almost exactly the same for +4. Hmm, so maybe it isn't the sensor but it is the location or maybe mild dehydration? Very strange and very frustrating!

On the bright side, manual tests are getting much easier. The last 2 I did she was up on the cat tree (on a platform that's roughly shoulder height for me) and I just walked up, stuck her, and got blood on the first stick. While the test was processing, I pulled a cotton ball apart and put a piece on either side of her ear and held it for 10-15 seconds. She literally just laid there while I did it.

If only they were all this easy lol. Sometimes she just gets in a mood where she does NOT want me to touch her ears, she might have some small bruises from my past fumbles with testing.

 

[Bandit's Mom]

Don't waste any more time and energy comparing the Libre and the meter. It's an exercise in futility. Many have tried comparing a pet with a human meter or two human meters and have only come out more confused than before.

Just use a human meter to verify any numbers that will affect dosing decisions.

It's great that pokes are getting easier

 

[tessa's mom]

Don't waste any more time and energy comparing the Libre and the meter. It's an exercise in futility. Many have tried comparing a pet with a human meter or two human meters and have only come out more confused than before.

Just use a human meter to verify any numbers that will affect dosing decisions.

It's great that pokes are getting easier

Good point! At this point, I am just trying to determine whether to replace this sensor early or not. I am leaning towards leaving it on for now especially since I don't have the adhesive remover I ordered yet. I have some other adhesive remover but I'm unsure whether it's pet safe. The stuff I ordered is Brava Adhesive Remover which isn't sold as a pet product but comes highly recommended by the Libre for pets FB group because it has no scent and doesn't leave an oily residue.

What I have on hand is PDI adhesive tape remover wipes but they smell bad and leave an oily residue.

If I do decide to replace it early, I might try to remove it with a bit of cooking oil (like vegetable oil maybe?) on a cotton swab. That should be safe for her skin and the cotton swab should keep it from going everywhere and making it hard to clean up.

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

, I pulled a cotton ball apart and put a piece on either side of her ear and held it for 10-15 seconds. She literally just laid there while I did it.

Hi you might want to get cotton rounds instead of pulling a cotton ball apart , just fold it in half and put it on the ear. You can get them in any store

 

[tessa's mom]

Hi you might want to get cotton rounds instead of pulling a cotton ball apart , just fold it in half and put it on the ear. You can get them in any store

Ooh, good idea! I've been using cotton balls because they give a good base behind her ear so the lancet can't go too far and stick me too. I use the deepest depth since I often have trouble getting enough blood from her, although that is improving a bit.

I think the cotton rounds should be thick enough to not allow the lancet to stick me, at least I would hope so. I might actually have some under the bathroom sink, I think they're square but they're the same thing.

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

Ooh, good idea! I've been using cotton balls because they give a good base behind her ear so the lancet can't go too far and stick me too. I use the deepest depth since I often have trouble getting enough blood from her, although that is improving a bit.

I think the cotton rounds should be thick enough to not allow the lancet to stick me, at least I would hope so. I might actually have some under the bathroom sink, I think they're square but they're the same thing.

They are perfect , I even use the same one about 2 or 3 times

 

[tessa's mom]

We went ahead and replaced her sensor. Hopefully this one will be better. We put it in the same spot as the first sensor she got so it should be a good location for interstitial readings unless we hit her ribs or something. She gave me such a dirty look when I put the sensor on but she didn't act hurt or anything.

I think she was just mad because she was tired of being handled. We had to take off the first sensor, then trim the hair down on the other spot for the new sensor, then wipe it down with alcohol, then add skin tac, and then put the sensor on. She just wanted us to leave her the heck alone.

 

[tessa's mom]

Looks like her bounce is going to clear overnight. I gave her a bit of extra food with her PM +2 meal but I think I'm not going to leave any food out overnight and see how things go. The new Libre sensor is still "warming up" so the numbers won't be completely accurate overnight but so far they seem decent, the readings have been around 90-100 which is very close to the numbers on the ReliOn meter. Really hoping that this sensor works out better than the last one!