Question

[Hercules]

Hello,
I use the alphaTrax 3 meter and my cats glucose was 81 today. Is that too low or is that in a good normal range?
I know about the high end of the range but I am not sure about the low end..and when googling it told me multiple different things
Also on the alphatrax 3 box it said it was okay to prick on the paw for the reading, I was unable to get enough blood from the ear so I tried it this way instead and it worked. Does anyone else prick on the paw?

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

We do have a few people who prick the paws, but not a lot.
The lower end of normal for an alphatrak meter is 68. If you get a lower reading than that, you need to give some higher carb food or Karo/honey and retest after 20 minutes to see the BG is rising.

 

[Hercules]

We do have a few people who prick the paws, but not a lot.
The lower end of normal for an alphatrak meter is 68. If you get a lower reading than that, you need to give some higher carb food or Karo/honey and retest after 20 minutes to see the BG is rising.

So today I tested his glucose again and it was 71. I called my vet and they said that 71 is still within a normal range and because Hercules is not on insulin that this isn’t as worrisome he said that I should be more worried if he’s over 200 or at a high number. I asked him about the honey, and he agreed if it got too low, but he said these numbers do not have the same concern, because of being on bexacat. He said obviously if it goes under normal range, I would probably want to come in, but he seems not to worry. He also said I’m bexacat that I don’t need to test glucose every day, but I should be looking at ketones. I plan to just continue to monitor his glucose, and monitor for any vomiting or diarrhea, and his diet. I do have some higher carb percentage food just in case. I think the most frustrating thing about all of this is that due to Bexacat being a new drug there just isn’t a lot of information out there.

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

Are you still using Bexacat? While Hercules may not be getting "insulin," it's an SGLT2 inhibitor that treats diabetes. It's similar to Jardiance in humans. (FWIW, they are now using Bexagliflozin in humans with the side note that it's been tested in cats!) It would be helpful to see Hercules' spreadsheet. We consider normal range BG to be 50 - 120. That said, I'd be attentive if you're seeing a reading of 71 and it's sell before nadir. With a 71 and absent any BG data, I would suggest giving your cat some low carb food to flatten out the cycle.

I also think one of the challenging issues is that with a pill, you don't have much flexibility with the dose. I have no idea whether the pill can be cut and still be effective.

Your vet is correct with regard to testing for ketones. However, from what I've read, the most critical period is when you first start your cat on Bexacat.

 

[JL and Chip]

We consider normal range BG to be 50 - 120.

I just want to clarify that that’s what’s considered normal for a human meter. For a pet meter, such as the Alphatrak3 you’re using, normal is 70-120 or 70-130.

 

[Hercules]

I just want to clarify that that’s what’s considered normal for a human meter. For a pet meter, such as the Alphatrak3 you’re using, normal is 70-120 or 70-130.

Thank you so much for this clarification! I appreciate your time