Accu Chek Glucose Reader?

[Catbug91]

Hi there!

I am trying to find the best, most painless way to do the glucose readings at home. I read the Accu Chek Soft Clik is the best for humans. I've seen that human glucose readers are fine to use on cats, but haven't seen any information about using the Accu Chek specifically on cats . . . .

Has anyone had luck with this brand? What level (1-11) did you use on your cat's ear? I'm going to try testing for the first time tonight so I'm trying to prepare myself as best I can!

Thank you

 

[squeem3]

Any Human blood glucose meter works for a cat. The Relion brand is what a lot of FDMB members in the US use because the test strips are inexpensive. Relion is a WalMart only brand and I'm not sure if you can buy it from the WalMart web site.

I use the AccuChek Aviva meter with the Soft Clik lancet device. My lancet device is set to 2 but your cat may need a different setting depending on the thickness of your cat's skin and how long you warm the ear for and how warm the rice sock / other warming method is.

 

[Catbug91]

Any Human blood glucose meter works for a cat. The Relion brand is what a lot of FDMB members in the US use because the test strips are inexpensive. Relion is a WalMart only brand and I'm not sure if you can buy it from the WalMart web site.

I use the AccuChek Aviva meter with the Soft Clik lancet device. My lancet device is set to 2 but your cat may need a different setting depending on the thickness of your cat's skin and how long you warm the ear for and how warm the rice sock / other warming method is.

Thank you so much! I have the Soft Clik so I will try 2 for the first time tonight. I was just afraid of going through his ear . . . or having the setting too low and not getting blood at all.

 

[Catbug91]

Any Human blood glucose meter works for a cat. The Relion brand is what a lot of FDMB members in the US use because the test strips are inexpensive. Relion is a WalMart only brand and I'm not sure if you can buy it from the WalMart web site.

I use the AccuChek Aviva meter with the Soft Clik lancet device. My lancet device is set to 2 but your cat may need a different setting depending on the thickness of your cat's skin and how long you warm the ear for and how warm the rice sock / other warming method is.

Sorry, another question, but if his insulin becomes very regulated, do you still test every single day twice a day? My vet said if we get it regulated I could just come in every six months for a curve and that would be it. . . .

 

[squeem3]

Sorry, another question, but if his insulin becomes very regulated, do you still test every single day twice a day? My vet said if we get it regulated I could just come in every six months for a curve and that would be it. . . .

If the cat needs insulin to keep the bgs regulated in a healthy range, then you must test before giving each insulin injection. That's the only way you know what the bg is and if it's a number that you can safely give insulin on..

Diabetic cats who are diet-controlled and no longer need insulin don't need to be tested daily. I think some people still like to check bgs on occasion.

You don't need to take the cat to the vet for curves. If you're testing at home, you can easily do a curve. A curve is just testing approximately every 2 hours from one insulin injection time to the next. Most people start with the morning insulin shot and go until the evening insulin shot. Cats don't always cooperate so if you can get at least 4 tests done spread throughout the day that still gives an idea of how the cat is responding to the insulin.

You'll need to keep track of all the bg numbers you get from testing. FDMB users use a Google based spreadsheet. The instructions are here: https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-create-a-spreadsheet.241706/

Once you have it set up correctly, you can share the link with your vet. Hopefully your vet will review the spreadsheet on a somewhat regular basis and advise you if a dose change is needed or not. You may need to check in with the vet weekly or so and remind him / her that the spreadsheet is updated and to take a look.