12/16 - Gen, PMPS >400 Libre

Allie & Gen

Allie & Gen

Member Since 2025
Yesterday's wild ride.

Sigh. I woke up early this morning to an alarm; this time, because Gen had apparently ripped off his sensor.

I tried putting gabapentin in his breakfast. I think he got most of it. I'm going to give it a little while to work (🤞), and then we'll embark on a Libre installation attempt. I only have one available, frustratingly (I thought I had two, but remembered incorrectly). I need to figure out where to put it, as the skin on both of his previous installation spots (one on each shoulder) is not super happy (on the one, probably because there is still some surgical glue in there that I can't get off, and the other, because ripping a sensor off without any anti-adhesive spray is a bad idea, silly cat).

@Staci & Ivy, @Lauren & Esse - any tips on placement?

If this sensor fails, well. I called out of work today. Hopefully I can run to Costco before I have to go to my own annual physical late this afternoon.

I hope everyone has a lovely Tuesday, and that your kitties surf safe - and don't do silly things like mine!
 
Here are some thoughts from the Facebook group's (much longer) guide re: placement--
From Abbott: “Select an area of skin that generally stays flat during normal daily activities (no bending or folding). Choose a site that is at least 1 inch away from an insulin injection site.”

The goal is to find a spot:

  • Flat and stable (not over joints or folds)
  • Out of reach from scratching, chewing, or licking
  • Unlikely to be pressed on when your pet lies down (pressure can cause false low readings, also called “compression lows”)

Sensor Placement Guidelines​

✅ Do:

  • Choose a flat area with minimal movement. If the filament gets dislodged it will cause false lows
  • Stay at least 1 inch away from insulin injection sites
  • If your pet receives fluids: always make sure the fluid site is opposite of where the sensor is (fluid affects readings)
🚫 Avoid:

  1. Bony areas or directly over the spine
  2. Skin folds or areas that bend with movement
  3. Any spot your pet often lies on or rubs against
⚠️ If the sensor is placed on a bony or folding area, it can dislodge or fail to reach tissue fluid—causing inaccurate or no readings. Also, if your pet is skinny, you may need to look for a "meatier" spot.
Click to expand...
And they have some examples (obviously the dog pics aren't as helpful, lol)--
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Staci told me you can put a tiny bit of coconut oil on the irritated skin if you like, it can be soothing and is okay for them to lick if it's not totally covered. We definitely did that in the beginning when he was still healing from the vet's application attempts.

Edit: We use the ribs! Here are some pics where you can see the sensor on Esse--
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Lauren & Esse said:
Here are some thoughts from the Facebook group's (much longer) guide re: placement--

And they have some examples (obviously the dog pics aren't as helpful, lol)--
View attachment 75838

Staci told me you can put a tiny bit of coconut oil on the irritated skin if you like, it can be soothing and is okay for them to lick if it's not totally covered. We definitely did that in the beginning when he was still healing from the vet's application attempts.
Click to expand...
Hrm. Most of the cats in these photos seem to have theirs close to where Gen did (the third one in the top row and the last one in the second row in particular), but he still managed to get at them. I'm not really sure where he won't be able to lick, apart from his scruff area which is where I do injections. And he's underweight and bony, too. I can try the rear area (last one in the top row), but I'm not sure I have a cover that will protect it. The shirts I have are too loose towards the bottom. The harness miiiight do it. I can give it a look.

Thanks! I have seen these directions before, but the reminder is still helpful.

Where do you place Esse's?
 
I have medicated wipes from the vet which I've been using on the area where they used the glue, but I'm still having trouble getting some of the dried stuff off (with the wipes and with Brava spray), and he will keep licking at it, which I think is irritating the skin further. I'm starting to wonder if we need to try a cone for a bit.
 
I edited my post with some pics of Esse's for comparison! But yeah, I think "an area they can't reach" makes more sense for dogs than cats. Esse can 100% reach the spot we use, which is why we make him wear the nice long shirts. And even then sometimes he tricks us... while I was out of town this weekend Esse took a nap under the covers on the bed and somehow managed to take his shirt off using the blanket somehow. Like a magic trick! Sam had to give him a super high value treat meal to get it back on by himself, hah. At least the sensor stayed intact.
 
We definitely have folks here who have used the cone for protecting them from overgrooming shaved skin. Their tongues are just too rough! The flat or inflatable cones tend to be the least disruptive. We have this one.
 
Hee, I like how they call that cone an "Elizabethan collar" as one of the descriptors. Thanks! The ER vet gave me a stiff plastic cone in case he started pawing at his abscess, but he hasn't, and I've been a bit reluctant to use it.

Will be making the attempt shortly ... here we gooo.
 
Allie & Gen said:
The ER vet gave me a stiff plastic cone in case he started pawing at his abscess, but he hasn't, and I've been a bit reluctant to use it.
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Yeah, we also had a fabric-covered stiff cone from the ER vet (also for an abscess!) and it wasn't great. Our little Pixar lamp. He couldn't see out of his periphery at all and was very distressed at first and banging into everything, getting 'stuck' on corners, etc. We had to go BACK to the ER vet for a second debridement and thank goodness the tech had a better idea of what kind of cone we needed.

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Photos mostly for comic relief. Good luck with the Libre application!
 
Lauren & Esse said:
Yeah, we also had a fabric-covered stiff cone from the ER vet (also for an abscess!) and it wasn't great. Our little Pixar lamp. He couldn't see out of his periphery at all and was very distressed at first and banging into everything, getting 'stuck' on corners, etc. We had to go BACK to the ER vet for a second debridement and thank goodness the tech had a better idea of what kind of cone we needed.

View attachment 75843 View attachment 75844

Photos mostly for comic relief. Good luck with the Libre application!
Click to expand...
He looks so sweet in that second photo. 🥹

Well, the Libre is on, and I put him in his new harness (a Kitty Holster, which I'm a bit worried is too small for him even though I bought it based on his measurements ... I might get a size up to try as well, just in case). He's very mad at at me and also possibly a bit on strike (walking like a frail, elderly old man). I'm concerned that I may have burned the freeze-dried tuna treats, at least for now.

I'm not sure if the gaba worked or not. He was still upset, but he didn't struggle as much as last time. I guess that could just be that he learned it didn't do him any good, though.

Sigh. I hate it when he's mad at me; I know it's all for his good, but I feel like such a jerk. I have another 38 minutes before the sensor should start providing data, if it's on properly. 🤞
 
Allie & Gen said:
He looks so sweet in that second photo. 🥹

Well, the Libre is on, and I put him in his new harness (a Kitty Holster, which I'm a bit worried is too small for him even though I bought it based on his measurements ... I might get a size up to try as well, just in case). He's very mad at at me and also possibly a bit on strike (walking like a frail, elderly old man). I'm concerned that I may have burned the freeze-dried tuna treats, at least for now.

I'm not sure if the gaba worked or not. He was still upset, but he didn't struggle as much as last time. I guess that could just be that he learned it didn't do him any good, though.

Sigh. I hate it when he's mad at me; I know it's all for his good, but I feel like such a jerk. I have another 38 minutes before the sensor should start providing data, if it's on properly. 🤞
Click to expand...
I'm waiting another 15 minutes for mine. 🤞
 
Pixar lamp 🤣 The first time Leroy wore a cone he was either crashing into walls or dragging his head because the cone was sooo heavy :rolleyes:

Does Gen go out for walks?
 
Allie & Gen said:
He's very mad at at me and also possibly a bit on strike (walking like a frail, elderly old man).
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That is definitely what on strike looks like. We always joke that he looks like one of those creepy robot dogs.

Allie & Gen said:
Sigh. I hate it when he's mad at me; I know it's all for his good, but I feel like such a jerk.
Click to expand...
This is SO relatable. Truly the eternal refrain for those of us here with less tolerant kitties.
 
squeem3 said:
Does Gen go out for walks?
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Alas no, though it's something I'd like to try. I bought the harness (and a leash) so I can give him the option of coming out of his carrier in the car when we travel for the holiday. My thought is if he tries to climb up the driver's seat and distract my brother, or run out the door if we need to stop, etc, it will let me rein him in. And if he gets used to it, maybe we can try walks when the weather's warmer!
 
squeem3 said:
Someone in your general area became sort of locally famous for taking her cat on the subway in a stroller. This was probably a little over 10 years ago. The Herald Goes Big on 'Stroller Cat'
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Pfff. I don't remember that, but taking cats out and about isn't rare enough to make the news these days (and really, I can't believe it was then either). There's a woman who walks her Bengal around my neighborhood all the time, and I've met other leash-trained cats around. I don't know if Gen would want to go on "walks" in the sense that dogs do, but I figure it might be nice to bring him to hang out outdoors with me now and then. There's a park up the hill where he could poke around a little without too much transportation to worry about.
 
Well, the sensor appears to be working! Aaand he's sky-high, which I suppose makes sense after all the stress.

I don't think the harness is the most comfortable thing to lounge in ... I don't think he can curl up into a cinnamon roll in it. I'd like to put him in a shirt instead, but I'm concerned that he might access the sensor (and/or the bare patches). Maybe I can find some more snugly-fitted shirts.
 
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Allie & Gen said:
Yesterday's wild ride.

Sigh. I woke up early this morning to an alarm; this time, because Gen had apparently ripped off his sensor.

I tried putting gabapentin in his breakfast. I think he got most of it. I'm going to give it a little while to work (🤞), and then we'll embark on a Libre installation attempt. I only have one available, frustratingly (I thought I had two, but remembered incorrectly). I need to figure out where to put it, as the skin on both of his previous installation spots (one on each shoulder) is not super happy (on the one, probably because there is still some surgical glue in there that I can't get off, and the other, because ripping a sensor off without any anti-adhesive spray is a bad idea, silly cat).

@Staci & Ivy, @Lauren & Esse - any tips on placement?

If this sensor fails, well. I called out of work today. Hopefully I can run to Costco before I have to go to my own annual physical late this afternoon.

I hope everyone has a lovely Tuesday, and that your kitties surf safe - and don't do silly things like mine!
Click to expand...
I’m so sorry he pulled off the Libre. Bad kitty.

These are my general facility areas I use. Make sure not on the ribs/bones.
I always feel for placement to assure I’m to the side of the spine, not on it!
Good job with tht installation, Allie!
And yes, try coconut oil once or 2x a day with a qtip gently massaging the area to see if you can get it to come off from the oil.
Sigh. Darned vets.
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Jessica & Indy said:
How is Gen doing now? Message for Gen: Stop stressing out your parent!!!
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Oh, he's sulking in his heated bed by my bedroom window. I'm giving him some space. He usually gets over these things fairly quickly, all things considered.

His BG is dropping, in the upper 200s now. Hopefully it won't do something like start hitting the 50s when I'm at my doctor's office in a couple of hours ... 😅

Thanks. ❤️
 
Allie & Gen said:
Oh, he's sulking in his heated bed by my bedroom window. I'm giving him some space. He usually gets over these things fairly quickly, all things considered.

His BG is dropping, in the upper 200s now. Hopefully it won't do something like start hitting the 50s when I'm at my doctor's office in a couple of hours ... 😅

Thanks. ❤️
Click to expand...
of course he is sulking! *laughs* Silly Gen.
 
He seems to have forgiven me, based on the cuddles I got when I returned from the vet. And I don't think he can do much to the sensor in his harness, though for his comfort it's probably not a long-term solution. Might try swapping it out for a shirt tomorrow, when I'll be home all day and can keep an eye on him.

He's all high, high, high again. Still bouncing, I imagine. I hope he comes down soon.

Goodnight, all! Thanks for the support as always.
 
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