New member

[Blitzy's Mom]

Hi! My name is Christy and I am Mom to Blitzen, a 15 year old newly diagnosed diabetic cat. I suspected Blitzen was diabetic when he was always drinking a lot of water and peeing a lot and eating a lot. It wasn't until I came home from a trip one time and noticed that he was very skinny even though his belly was quite big. I was worried about him and took him to the vet where are they confirmed that he was indeed diabetic, but otherwise healthy. His liver enzymes are a little raised but they were not concerned about that too much at the time. This was about a week ago. We started our insulin journey on Monday, he is on 2ml of Lantus. I immediately switched all the cats to wet food and made sure that it was low carb. I also mix it with a little bit of water to make it kind of a slurry. I also started separating them from each other when they eat because the other two cats would try to eat his food. So two that are not diabetic eat in their own room and then Blitzen eats separately so that I can see that he's eaten. I feed them twice a day, 12 hours apart and right after he eats, Blitzen gets his shot. So far he's been such a good boy. And I've noticed that his coat is better, and he seems to be more active and not as weak. This is not really a completely new journey for me. I had another cat that was diabetic but it was so long ago and I was so much younger and not as knowledgeable. There is still so much for me to learn, but when they gave me the choice between pills and insulin shots, I immediately knew I was going to do the shots.

I decided to join this group because I want as many resources as possible to go through this journey with Blitzen. I also want to prevent my other two cats from being diabetic and so I want to make sure I'm feeding them well and all that.

Anyway, we are getting used to our new normal and I'm looking forward to learning from you all.

 

[CORKY]

Hi! My name is Christy and I am Mom to Blitzen, a 15 year old newly diagnosed diabetic cat. I suspected Blitzen was diabetic when he was always drinking a lot of water and peeing a lot and eating a lot. It wasn't until I came home from a trip one time and noticed that he was very skinny even though his belly was quite big. I was worried about him and took him to the vet where are they confirmed that he was indeed diabetic, but otherwise healthy. His liver enzymes are a little raised but they were not concerned about that too much at the time. This was about a week ago. We started our insulin journey on Monday, he is on 2ml of Lantus. I immediately switched all the cats to wet food and made sure that it was low carb. I also mix it with a little bit of water to make it kind of a slurry. I also started separating them from each other when they eat because the other two cats would try to eat his food. So two that are not diabetic eat in their own room and then Blitzen eats separately so that I can see that he's eaten. I feed them twice a day, 12 hours apart and right after he eats, Blitzen gets his shot. So far he's been such a good boy. And I've noticed that his coat is better, and he seems to be more active and not as weak. This is not really a completely new journey for me. I had another cat that was diabetic but it was so long ago and I was so much younger and not as knowledgeable. There is still so much for me to learn, but when they gave me the choice between pills and insulin shots, I immediately knew I was going to do the shots.

I decided to join this group because I want as many resources as possible to go through this journey with Blitzen. I also want to prevent my other two cats from being diabetic and so I want to make sure I'm feeding them well and all that.

Anyway, we are getting used to our new normal and I'm looking forward to learning from you all.

Welcome to FDMB
Wow, you have won most of the newbies battles
Great job! We are here to help you in all yourconcerns. And yes switching to wet can food is a great choice, making sure the food is between 0-10% carbs, most members uses use Fancy Feast Pates up to 5%, the two main meals prior to shot and several small meals during the day, I will tag a couple of members that can Addis you with dosing concerns Are you in the US?

 

[Blitzy's Mom]

Welcome to FDMB
Wow, you have won most of the newbies battles
Great job! We are here to help you in all yourconcerns. And yes switching to wet can food is a great choice, making sure the food is between 0-10% carbs, most members uses use Fancy Feast Pates up to 5%, the two main meals prior to shot and several small meals during the day, I will tag a couple of members that can Addis you with dosing concerns Are you in the US?

Hi and thanks! Yes I am in the United states. And we are eating friskies pates for now to see if that will work. Blitzen, even though he is skinny in some areas of his body, is diagnosed as obese, although that may change after the next visit with the vet as I will probably be asking if I'm feeding him enough or if I need to feed him more. I did some research on what the ideal amount of food would be for a cat that is 11.1 lb which is about what he is and it's about half a can of cat food. I am asking tons of questions along the way here and trying to calibrate everything so that he is getting what he needs. I did look at the fancy feast. I'm super happy that I can buy something like Fancy feast or friskies and they are low carb. Friskies is at 1.0 crude fiber and I've been told that that is low carb. I also looked at the label on Fancy feast and that also looks great too.

I work during the day and the cats are free to run the house during the day, so I don't want to leave food out for him just in case, but I'll be talking to the vet to see what they think about that.

In about a week, they will be putting a libre 3 plus sensor on him. Technology has come so far since the last time I had to treat a diabetic cat. I'm just super thankful that they can put a monitor on him and I don't have to check his blood daily, at least for now. They told me that sometimes cats lick off the monitor, but I'm going to put a sweater on him so he can't get to it, lol. And see if that works.

 

[Blitzy's Mom]

Welcome to FDMB
Wow, you have won most of the newbies battles
Great job! We are here to help you in all yourconcerns. And yes switching to wet can food is a great choice, making sure the food is between 0-10% carbs, most members uses use Fancy Feast Pates up to 5%, the two main meals prior to shot and several small meals during the day, I will tag a couple of members that can Addis you with dosing concerns Are you in the US?

I guess I'll be filling out the spreadsheet next. Once I can figure out how to do that!

 

[CORKY]

Hi and thanks! Yes I am in the United states. And we are eating friskies pates for now to see if that will work. Blitzen, even though he is skinny in some areas of his body, is diagnosed as obese, although that may change after the next visit with the vet as I will probably be asking if I'm feeding him enough or if I need to feed him more. I did some research on what the ideal amount of food would be for a cat that is 11.1 lb which is about what he is and it's about half a can of cat food. I am asking tons of questions along the way here and trying to calibrate everything so that he is getting what he needs. I did look at the fancy feast. I'm super happy that I can buy something like Fancy feast or friskies and they are low carb. Friskies is at 1.0 crude fiber and I've been told that that is low carb. I also looked at the label on Fancy feast and that also looks great too.

I work during the day and the cats are free to run the house during the day, so I don't want to leave food out for him just in case, but I'll be talking to the vet to see what they think about that.

In about a week, they will be putting a libre 3 plus sensor on him. Technology has come so far since the last time I had to treat a diabetic cat. I'm just super thankful that they can put a monitor on him and I don't have to check his blood daily, at least for now. They told me that sometimes cats lick off the monitor, but I'm going to put a sweater on him so he can't get to it, lol. And see if that works.

Good thinking, you have multiple cats so I’m not sure if a wet food feeder will be ok, the great thing about Fancy Feast is that is US made regulated, so no waste goes into the food, and CHEWY.COM has the best price for FF free shipping auto ship that you can change date order as you please, I have 2 cats I buy 4 cases , four flavors, 1/2 can each feed 4 times a day 2 day shipping, all brands. Tge Libre is a good option since you are not home during the day, but is good to have a manual monitor handy, in case the sensor falls off or many times it stops working before the 14 days and the is inaccurate reading low 2 digit BG numbers, so always have an extra sensor handy, ABBOTT. Will replace it, so do not throw away the box of the sensor placed, and you cannot say is for a cat either.

 

[Blitzy's Mom]

Thanks for that info! My doctor gave me a prescription for the libre, but do I need it? Because if I go to the pharmacy, the prescription looks like it's coming from a vet and it says it's for a cat. So if there's a better way where nobody knows that it's for a cat, I'd love to know that. Also, I will check out chewy for the Fancy feast. I do know that Costco said that they had friskies on sale, $30 or something like $30 for 60 cans. But I'm still new at the wet food game so I'll take any advice I can get.

I'm a type 2 diabetic and I have a Livongo glucometer with strips. Do those work with cats? If not I'll probably have to talk to my vet and see what kind of a reader I need to get and find out how I am supposed to check his blood manually. I'm sure you all can tell me how to do that though. You all seem very knowledgeable!

 

[CORKY]

Thanks for that info! My doctor gave me a prescription for the libre, but do I need it? Because if I go to the pharmacy, the prescription looks like it's coming from a vet and it says it's for a cat. So if there's a better way where nobody knows that it's for a cat, I'd love to know that. Also, I will check out chewy for the Fancy feast. I do know that Costco said that they had friskies on sale, $30 or something like $30 for 60 cans. But I'm still new at the wet food game so I'll take any advice I can get.

I'm a type 2 diabetic and I have a Livongo glucometer with strips. Do those work with cats? If not I'll probably have to talk to my vet and see what kind of a reader I need to get and find out how I am supposed to check his blood manually. I'm sure you all can tell me how to do that though. You all seem very knowledgeable!

It does not matter with the pharmacy, is when you need to replace the sensor because it stopped working before the 14 days, they are expensive, and you can replace them yourself, you do not need a vet for that , yes any human meter is good

 

[Blitzy's Mom]

It does not matter with the pharmacy, is when you need to replace the sensor because it stopped working before the 14 days, they are expensive, and you can replace them yourself, you do not need a vet for that , yes any human meter is good

Okay so when it stops working, if it does and you have to replace it, would you just contact Abbott and pretend that it's for yourself?

 

[CORKY]

In order for all members and yourself to be on the same page, we would like you to create your signature and Blitzen's Spreadsheet, links below, download it on GOOGLE DRIVE, also sending you a Drs approved food list, the third column contains the carb %, and a cat carb calculator, we are looking for the DRY MATTER CARBS, you can also go on Chewy.com site find the food, click on the can, scroll down you will see the nutrient of the food to place in the calculator

0-10% low carb
11-15% Medium carbs
16-24% High Carbs
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/members/bron-and-sheba.12152/
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-create-a-spreadsheet.241706/

Info - Dr. Pierson - new Food Chart
Cat Food Nutrition Calculator | Elizabeth C Scheyder

 

[Blitzy's Mom]

Thank you! I'm on my phone right now but I was planning later on to get on the computer and do the spreadsheet from there. I think it's so great that you guys have that for people! I want to be really organized with all my numbers and everything.

 

[CORKY]

Okay so when it stops working, if it does and you have to replace it, would you just contact Abbott and pretend that it's for yourself?

exactly, they will ask you for all the numbers that are on the box of the sensor, and some other numbers from the monitor, let them know you need it NOW! they will ship in 48 hours

 

[Blitzy's Mom]

exactly, they will ask you for all the numbers that are on the box of the sensor, and some other numbers from the monitor, let them know you need it NOW! they will ship in 48 hours

Thank you so much! I will make note of that.

 

[CORKY]

Also, please create a HYPO KIT, this will include, some medium carb food, and some High carb foods, some KARO Syrup or honey, this is to be used in case the BG lowers 50 or less, we like to use food first, rather than Karo or Honey since this is only a Quick fix, we can guide you how to

 

[CORKY]

Wand yes you need a prescription, ask tge vet to give you a continuous script “PRN” this way you don’t keep spending $ on vet visits, replacement and sensor, which the vet will charge more tge best price for sensors are Walmart Pharmacy

 

[Blitzy's Mom]

Also, please create a HYPO KIT, this will include, some medium carb food, and some High carb foods, some KARO Syrup or honey, this is to be used in case the BG lowers 50 or less, we like to use food first, rather than Karo or Honey since this is only a Quick fix, we can guide you how to

I read about that and I will do that. There's so much! It feels a little bit overwhelming to me, but I love that you have the resource out here. I'm trying to do everything correctly.

 

[Blitzy's Mom]

Wand yes you need a prescription, ask tge vet to give you a continuous script “PRN” this way you don’t keep spending $ on vet visits, replacement and sensor, which the vet will charge more tge best price for sensors are Walmart Pharmacy

While we are getting him regulated I know I'll be going to the vet more often, but I will ask for a PRN prescription for sure.

 

[CORKY]

While we are getting him regulated I know I'll be going to the vet more often, but I will ask for a PRN prescription for sure.

actually, at the vets office, since cats are very sensitive to stress, getting him regulated at home is the best option, at the vet due to stress the reading will be unrealistic, causing unneeded increases. as well as if the vet suggests a curve, that is also done at home, is sim-ply testing every 2 hours of 1 cycle (12 hours) you will get a true reading at home, without stressing Blitzen,, this will help you and us stabilize him and truly determine the dose that works best for him

 

[Blitzy's Mom]

actually, at the vets office, since cats are very sensitive to stress, getting him regulated at home is the best option, at the vet due to stress the reading will be unrealistic, causing unneeded increases. as well as if the vet suggests a curve, that is also done at home, is sim-ply testing every 2 hours of 1 cycle (12 hours) you will get a true reading at home, without stressing Blitzen,, this will help you and us stabilize him and truly determine the dose that works best for him

Testing him manually is something I'm really not comfortable with. I know how to do it for myself, but I don't know how to do it for cats. This is partly why I come to this forum cuz I know that you guys know how to do that. I need to become comfortable before I can do that. But would I be able to do that with the glucose monitor? The vet did talk about a curve but that wasn't her first suggestion. We both agree that he would be calmer and readings would be better if we were at home. So that's my plan.

 

[CORKY]

You got this!

 

[Blitzy's Mom]

You got this!

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

Welcome to FDMB.

@Staci & Ivy is a veteran CGM user and can provide you with all sorts of resources. This post on getting started with CGMs may also be helpful. I'm honestly not sure if your need a prescription from your vet for a monitor or sensors. You don't need any of this for a handheld meter but Staci or another CGM user will be able to fill you in on more of the FAQs. As far as a handheld meter, any meter is fine. Many people here use the Walmart Relion meter because the strips are inexpensive. However, if you are OK with using your meter, that's not a problem.

You are also correct. We have resource posts on lots and lots of topics! This is our post on home testing. If you're looking to do some "leisure" reading, you can mind most of the resource posts on our Health Links page.

Are you concerned that your non-diabetic cats will eat Blitzen's food or that they are more food motivated and he won't get enough to eat? It made my life considerably easier when a member here pointed out that it was fine to feed my diabetic and non-diabetic cats the same food. Low carb is species appropriate for all cats. (Cats are obligate carnivores and don't process carbohydrates well. All of your cats can eat the same food as Blitzen.) This website is great for information on feline nutrition. There's also a link to a chart containing a list of most of the canned foods available in the US along with their carbohydrate, calorie, and other nutritional information on the menu bar on the right side of the page.

Please let us know if you have questions. We're here to help. (And sorry to have deluged you with reading!!!)

 

[Blitzy's Mom]

Thank you for all that information! I'm excited to see what's out there and what I can learn about diabetes in cats. I am mostly worried that the other cats will eat his food, but I'm feeding them all the same food. It's just that they are so used to eating each other's food and since I'm giving him insulin, I want to make sure he gets all the food that he needs. Right now, sequestering them is working and I just work it into my day a half an hour in the morning and a half an hour in the evening. It's been working out. I'm going to check out all the links that you sent me and get my spreadsheet going this weekend.

 

[CORKY]

As long as you can keep them all on the same food same schedule you got this

 

[squeem3]

We started our insulin journey on Monday, he is on 2ml of Lantus.

FYI insulin is measured in units, rarely in ml. Your cat's dose is 2 units (could also be written as 0.02 ml but no one except for vets uses that notation).

Thanks for that info! My doctor gave me a prescription for the libre, but do I need it? Because if I go to the pharmacy, the prescription looks like it's coming from a vet and it says it's for a cat. So if there's a better way where nobody knows that it's for a cat, I'd love to know that.

Well, you need a prescription to buy Lantus from the pharmacy The pharmacist might ask if the patient is a pet because their system might not process the prescription without that bit of information. A Libre prescription is no different. A pharmacist can't refuse to sell you prescription items just because the patient is a pet.

I'm a type 2 diabetic and I have a Livongo glucometer with strips. Do those work with cats? If not I'll probably have to talk to my vet and see what kind of a reader I need to get and find out how I am supposed to check his blood manually. I'm sure you all can tell me how to do that though. You all seem very knowledgeable!

Any Human blood glucose meter works on a cat. You don't need a pet specific meter. Pet meters and their test strips are expensive and not sold in stores. If you can get a back up Human meter and test strips for your cat to use (maybe your insurance will cover an additional meter and supplies? Some members long ago who were also diabetic themselves were able to get Lantus and testing supplies that way), that would be great. You do need to have a meter and test strips on hand in case a Libre malfunctions or reads LO.

You test from the edge of a cat's ear. Here's info: Hometesting Links and Tips A paw pad is another place you can test from.

Info on the Libre: Getting Started With Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) for Diabetic Cats

People with multi-cat homes either feed all the cats the same low carb canned food only diet as the diabetic or use a microchip feeder either to keep the non-diabetics out of the diabetic's food or the diabetic out of the dry food the other cats eat. Food is one thing you can safely ignore the vet's opinion about.

 

[Blitzy's Mom]

As long as you can keep them all on the same food same schedule you got this

Yes, they all get fed at the same time.

 

[Blitzy's Mom]

FYI insulin is measured in units, rarely in ml. Your cat's dose is 2 units (could also be written as 0.02 ml but no one except for vets uses that notation).



Well, you need a prescription to buy Lantus from the pharmacy The pharmacist might ask if the patient is a pet because their system might not process the prescription without that bit of information. A Libre prescription is no different. A pharmacist can't refuse to sell you prescription items just because the patient is a pet.



Any Human blood glucose meter works on a cat. You don't need a pet specific meter. Pet meters and their test strips are expensive and not sold in stores. If you can get a back up Human meter and test strips for your cat to use (maybe your insurance will cover an additional meter and supplies? Some members long ago who were also diabetic themselves were able to get Lantus and testing supplies that way), that would be great. You do need to have a meter and test strips on hand in case a Libre malfunctions or reads LO.

You test from the edge of a cat's ear. Here's info: Hometesting Links and Tips A paw pad is another place you can test from.

Info on the Libre: Getting Started With Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) for Diabetic Cats

People with multi-cat homes either feed all the cats the same low carb canned food only diet as the diabetic or use a microchip feeder either to keep the non-diabetics out of the diabetic's food or the diabetic out of the dry food the other cats eat. Food is one thing you can safely ignore the vet's opinion about.

Thank you so much for all that information! And duh! I should have known it was two units, not 2 ml. Brain fart! Lol.

My ex-husband was a diabetic and so was my dad and I am sure that we have an extra glucometer somewhere around, but if not, I'm on a new insurance plan and can probably get myself a new glucometer with the test strips but I will give all of that some thought and figure out what to do so I have one specific glucometer for him and one for me.

I really appreciate all the great advice I'm getting from all of you!

 

[squeem3]

Maybe get a different brand of meter for your cat so you don't mix his up with yours. Or just keep the cat's meter and supplies in a clearly labeled container away from your own diabetic supplies. Brain farts happen and so does being semi awake and not having coffee yet

If you have FSA or HSA as well and you don't usually use up all the funds for yourself / family, you can use those funds for a new meter and test strips and syringes and even more Lantus when needed.

 

[Blitzy's Mom]

Maybe get a different brand of meter for your cat so you don't mix his up with yours. Or just keep the cat's meter and supplies in a clearly labeled container away from your own diabetic supplies. Brain farts happen and so does being semi awake and not having coffee yet

If you have FSA or HSA as well and you don't usually use up all the funds for yourself / family, you can use those funds for a new meter and test strips and syringes and even more Lantus when needed.

Great ideas and yes! I feed the cats before coffee so it's always good to have a box with cat supplies separate from human supplies!

 

[Staci & Ivy]

Thanks for that info! My doctor gave me a prescription for the libre, but do I need it? Because if I go to the pharmacy, the prescription looks like it's coming from a vet and it says it's for a cat. So if there's a better way where nobody knows that it's for a cat, I'd love to know that. Also, I will check out chewy for the Fancy feast. I do know that Costco said that they had friskies on sale, $30 or something like $30 for 60 cans. But I'm still new at the wet food game so I'll take any advice I can get.

I'm a type 2 diabetic and I have a Livongo glucometer with strips. Do those work with cats? If not I'll probably have to talk to my vet and see what kind of a reader I need to get and find out how I am supposed to check his blood manually. I'm sure you all can tell me how to do that though. You all seem very knowledgeable!

Hi Christy and Blitzen, welcome.
You’ve gotten lots of great information here. Regarding the Libre, please read the linked document when you can. Lots of great information we’ve compiled for you.
Yes, you do you need a prescription in the US in order to purchase the Libres.
It’s best to have several on hand if you were going to be using them because they’re is certainly a learning curve in the beginning with applying them or the cat trying to pull them off or it could stop working for various reasons.
I have been using a Libre for over 3 years with my cat. I always have at least six in the house at all times.
(I never want to have to be without one or wait for a prescription to be filled at the pharmacy. But that’s just me).
Anyway, the pharmacy should have no problem filling the prescription, even though it is for a cat.
Many of our members have found that Costco has the best pricing, somewhere around $30 each if you were a member.
I use the pharmacy inside of my grocery store and I pay about $38 each sensor, which is designed to last 15 days. The current sensor is the Libre 3 plus.
I highly recommend using the Libre 3 plus, as you do not have to physically scan the cat to get the data.
With a Libre 3 plus, Via apps on your phone, etc. the data can be sent directly to your phone, so you know exactly what’s happening with your cat 24/7.
You will need a dedicated phone (an older model phone is fine) with no service plan in order to read the data on the sensor. It stays near your cat to get the glucose data.
Check the Abbott website for compatible phones that will work with the sensor.

If you have any questions, please feel free to let me or any of us know, we are happy to help.

 

[Blitzy's Mom]

Thanks for all this information! I'm confused though. I need a dedicated phone to get the reading from my cats sensor? I have a phone I'm not using that I could do that with but if I'm at work and I want to see what's going on with my cat, am I not able to use my current phone to see that? And my cat goes all over the house. I'd have to attach my phone to him in order for it to be near him. Is it just okay for it to be in the house with him? Does that still work?

Also, I do have a prescription for the libre 3 plus, but I keep seeing prices that are over $80 for one. How are people getting them cheaper at the grocery store?

 

[CORKY]

Costco and Walmart have the best prices on the sensors, Staci to sugested ABBOTT.com SITE For comparable phones yours might work , Ivetread here that some members have gone to a phone store ad bought an old comparable phones yours might for almost nothing and even free, someone you know might gave one ad well, it does not need service for it to work ad a monitor

 

[Blitzy's Mom]

Costco and Walmart have the best prices on the sensors, Staci to sugested ABBOTT.com SITE For comparable phones yours might work , Ivetread here that some members have gone to a phone store ad bought an old comparable phones yours might for almost nothing and even free, someone you know might gave one ad well, it does not need service for it to work ad a monitor

Thanks! I read a little bit more on this board about the extra phone and I think I understand a little bit more now. I do have a phone that I can just hook up to Wi-Fi and use here at the house and I guess there is something that a link up app that will send the numbers to my phone that I have data on that I carry with me everyday. So that's cool. This is just a lot of information that my brain is overloaded on. I'm nervous about using the cgm, but I think it's going to be good. I'm just basically getting into everything and I want to do it right, but this is a steep learning curve. I'm really glad you guys are here to give me all this advice though. And I know that Blitzen will have a better life because of all of this stuff that I'm learning in terms of his care.

 

[Blitzy's Mom]

Thank you! I appreciate the encouragement .

 

[Staci & Ivy]

All of have felt overwhelmed inaccurate, all those feelings of insecurity and so much to absorb, but it gets better as you get the hang of it and the daily routine, you don’t have to be nervous about the Libre, you know you can place it yourself, and don’t use glue it really irritates the skin find a small shirt or 1/2 sweater he will get used to it the instruction for placement are elementary, as long as you have a human meter as a back up, in case it falls off and you need to get another, always have a few handy at home they do tend to stop working before the 14 days, Corky left the hospital with one, he had it for 3 months until I found this forum, and out of those 3 months only one sensor went the 14 days and of course the most important thing with the Libre, when you get a reading of 2 digits please compare it with the manual meter , The Libre always reads very much lower, ABBOTT, is being sued because of the sensors and patients inducing insulin because of a hypoglycemic reading, I believe there were two deaths, but this is not to discourage you or alarm you, for our cats and busy days away from home it works great with patience, as long as make sure to double check low 2 digit numbers before acting on that reading alone

I think we should focus on the positives the Libre provides as an option Instead of the random and very rare outcomes.
The Libre is a tool we can use for those of us whose cats won’t allow pokes all day long.
There’s no point in scaring our new members about using Libres.
I’ve used them every single day for 3 years and it becomes a way of life and you will understand how to use them so don’t be scared off by people who have had bad experiences and don’t even use them anymore.

Maria, please refrain from scaring new members. I would appreciate that and we’ve spoken about this before.

 

[Staci & Ivy]

Thanks for all this information! I'm confused though. I need a dedicated phone to get the reading from my cats sensor? I have a phone I'm not using that I could do that with but if I'm at work and I want to see what's going on with my cat, am I not able to use my current phone to see that? And my cat goes all over the house. I'd have to attach my phone to him in order for it to be near him. Is it just okay for it to be in the house with him? Does that still work?

Also, I do have a prescription for the libre 3 plus, but I keep seeing prices that are over $80 for one. How are people getting them cheaper at the grocery store?

You are correct, you put an app on the cat’s phone and on your phone and you link them up and the cat’s phone sends the data to your phone so even if you’re out of the house, you know what’s happening with your cat because their phone stays at home with them and sends the readings up through the cloud. It’s pretty awesome technology. Yes there are kinks and challenges to using them but overall they can be very helpful.
I’m glad you were able to read our document. It’s pretty thorough and it gives a lot of good information to understanding how they work.

It is a challenge if you live in a house with multiple rooms and the cat wanders around. I’m always moving my cat’s phone to where she is hanging out. So it is a challenge because the phone needs to be within 33 feet of the cat.
For people who live in a small apartment it’s a perfect situation, but for anybody else it’s just a little more tricky because we need the phone near the cat

 

[Blitzy's Mom]

My cat doesn't go upstairs and he doesn't go downstairs. He basically hangs out in three rooms. I think I can charge my phone and leave it in the dining room and he will be less than 33 ft away from it in any room he would hang out. So that's good to know the distance unit. And I have a phone that I can use so that's good. I made sure it was compatible. I just have to get the sensors and at least for the first couple times I'm going to have a vet tech put it on but I'm going to have them show me how to do it. And then I'll be able to do that myself. I'll probably also have to have them show me how to do a manual stick with the glucometer and test strips just so that I know how to do it on a cat. I do it for myself all the time but on a cat I'm obviously not skilled at that. I'm learning a lot from all of you, far more than I ever thought I would need to know, but it's all great information and I appreciate it. I know that over time, I'll get used to all this and it will just become our way of life. I'm trying to take it in baby steps as much as possible even though I know I've got to do it quickly so we can work toward getting regulated. so far so good. I will see what the vet says when we go to visit next and go from there. I have already looked at the cat food chart and it looks like the food I'm feeding him is within range of being low carb. I will find out for the vet how much food I'm supposed to feed him so that I can put him in a good sweet spot. Thank you for all of your help! I am sure I will have plenty more questions to ask.

 

[squeem3]

There's a thread with what members have paid for a Libre and related supplies: Libre Tester