Here's the "Get Started Shopping List" from our FB group
GETTING STARTED SHOPPING LIST
1. Blood glucose meter. We now recommend the
Relion Premier Classic (available at WalMart) which is only $9. It takes a reasonable sample size and the strips are affordable at
$9/50 or
$17.88/100 (If you currently own the Prime, strips should remain available for quite some time so don’t panic and run out and buy the new meter). If you are in Canada, the Bayer Contour, One Touch and Freestyle Lite are favorites of the Canadians in the group. A lot of places that sell meters/strips offer a free meter with purchase of 100 strips. Take advantage of points programs whenever possible (for example, Air Miles, or PC Optimum at Shoppers Drug Mart) to recoup some of your costs and periodically get free supplies
2. Matching strips. The Premier Strips are
$9 for 50 or
$17.88 for 100. Will vary depending on what meter you end up using. Using the Contour or One Touch, check Amazon/Ebay for better prices
3. Lancets - little sticks to poke the ear to get blood . new members usually start with a larger gauge lancet such as 25g to 28g until the ear learns to bleed. (Usually marked “For alternate site testing)
These 26 gauge lancets are perfect for “new ears” but might not be available in the store. Any lancet that’s 25-28 gauge will work. If the linked ones above aren’t available, you should be able to find these in the store
https://www.walmart.com/ip/ReliOn-25-Gauge-Needle-2-In-1-Lancing-Device-For-Normal-Skin-50-Ct/146921861?fbclid=IwAR2a1NWMM_PVcOf_WWkv54jkWxcrnVvvAoI6iarsPWP-9iIxDZt4b9E-i4c but we’ve heard a lot of complaints about these being hard to use on cat’s ears.
These
Freestyle 28 gauge lancets are a little more expensive ($9.92/100) but are great lancets for new ears.
3a. Optional -
Relion lancing device. $5.84 for lancing device ...not required if you can freehand poke) If you really want to use a lancing device but are using a different lancet brand, you’ll need to find a device that works with the lancets you have.
4. Cotton balls/cosmetic pads to stem the blood. I particularly like the
cotton cosmetic pads like these at WalMart
5.
Bacitracin ointment to help heal the little poke holes. Vaseline is also a good way to help the blood “bead up” instead of wicking into the fur. Emla cream is an alternative but requires a prescription (and should be only used after poking due to creams causing the blood drop to wick into the fur more readily). Neosporin or Polysporin ointment with pain relief is NO LONGER RECOMMENDED due to the ingredient, polymixin which, if ingested in great enough quantities, can cause problems.
6. Mini flashlight (optional) - useful to help see the ear veins in dark cats, and to press against
7. Ketone urine test strips..ketostix (urine only) or ketodiastix (test for both glucose and ketones but more expensive and unnecessary if you're already testing BG) - Important to check ketones when blood glucose is high, kitty isn’t eating or just acts like they’re not feeling well. Urine Ketone test strips
Available at WalMart for $6.94
8. Sharps container like this
BD sharps container- to dispose of wasted syringes and lancets. OR a
B/D needle clipper like this one on Amazon (these are GREAT!...they clip the needle part off and you can just throw the rest of the syringe in the trash. Holds about 2 years worth of needles!) You can also use containers made of thick plastic like laundry detergent bottles, milk bottles, etc. but before disposal, should be taped shut with SHARPS written clearing on it. Check your local ordinances for laws regarding the disposal of sharps.
9. Treats for the cat - like freeze dried chicken...check in the dog food treats....they’re usually cheaper. Any treat that’s freeze dried and the only ingredient is a protein source is fine.
10. Karo syrup/corn syrup, honey or pancake syrup if you don’t have it at home - for hypo emergencies to bring blood sugar up fast.
Karo available at Walmart for $2.97 (they also have
Great Value corn syrup for $2.54)
11. A couple of cans of Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers (beef is the highest carb) or other high carb gravy food- for hypo emergencies to bring blood sugar up fast
12. A pair of toddler socks to fill with rice and use to warm the area you want to get blood from (optional). You can also use an old sock around the house.
13. Syringes (If using a U100 insulin like Lantus or Levemir or willing to use a conversion chart with U40 insulin like ProZinc)
IMPORTANT that you get syringes with half unit markings! 30 or 31 gauge, 3/10cc insulin syringes....All the WalMart Relion 3/10cc syringes have half unit markings
You can also order from
American Diabetes Wholesale if you want to deal with shipping or prefer to order supplies online. (make sure they are 0.3cc or 3/10ml with half unit marks)
These are the correct syringes for U100 insulin at WalMart.....and no matter what they tell you, they DO have half unit markings. Packaging may differ but as long as they have the purple stripe on the box, they’re the correct syringes.
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Especially needed after those late night pokey parties.
