4/21 Ember AMPS 404

[Elaine and Ember]

Ember is getting her Libre installed today and I’m super nervous. I’m not sure why. If it doesn’t work out, we won’t be any worse off than we are now. I bought all the supplies, so after I see the vet do it today, I’ll be doing all the subsequent applications.
Safe surfing all!
4/19 Ember AMPS 376

 

[Staci & Ivy]

Ember is getting her Libre installed today and I’m super nervous. I’m not sure why. If it doesn’t work out, we won’t be any worse off than we are now. I bought all the supplies, so after I see the vet do it today, I’ll be doing all the subsequent applications.
Safe surfing all!
4/19 Ember AMPS 376

If the vet is installing it, please make sure NO glu is used.
It's NOT needed and it CAN flood the sensor and shut it down, and harm Emer's fragile skin.

Don't let them talk you into using glue!!!!

 

[Elaine and Ember]

If the vet is installing it, please make sure NO glu is used.
It's NOT needed and it CAN flood the sensor and shut it down, and harm Emer's fragile skin.

Don't let them talk you into using glue!!!!

I will make sure no glue. Thank you! I’m so worried about hurting her. I feel like a newbie again when I used to cry every time I had to prick her ears.
I saw these cute little round patches with cat designs on them that people use on the Libre Facebook group. Have you ever tried those? Do they really help it stay on?

 

[Staci & Ivy]

I will make sure no glue. Thank you! I’m so worried about hurting her. I feel like a newbie again when I used to cry every time I had to prick her ears.
I saw these cute little round patches with cat designs on them that people use on the Libre Facebook group. Have you ever tried those? Do they really help it stay on?

I understand how you feel Elaine. Just remind yourself you're doing all of this to keep her safe and to get her as healthy as we can.
It's one poke when the Libre is installed and that's it.

Ivy is a very spicy girl and I am able to install the Libres all by myself. Every time. So it can't be that bad or she would fight me (she doesn't) .
She hates ear pokes much more (she bites and fights me).

I just use a tegaderm clear patch on top of the Libre and that's it (never used the other patches). But I keep the Libre covered w ith a tube top or Ivy pulls off her Libre (naughty girl)
I also poke a little hole in the tegaderm to let the hole in the center of the Libre breathe.

*** TIP: When you install the Libre, have a toothpick or a small flat object handy (a flat nail file perhaps). When I lift off the installer cap very gently, I use the toothpick to hold down the Libre in place as the cap is lifted off. It's a trick i have devised that keeps me from any mishaps with installation. The Libre stays in place and we are good to go.

I hope this helps, let us know how it goes today!!! Sending good vibes your way!

 

[Briana + Binx]

*** TIP: When you install the Libre, have a toothpick or a small flat object handy (a flat nail file perhaps). When I lift off the installer cap very gently, I use the toothpick to hold down the Libre in place as the cap is lifted off. It's a trick i have devised that keeps me from any mishaps with installation. The Libre stays in place and we are good to go.

On the rare occasion I install a Libre, I do the same with a toothpick!! The first time I did the install, I pulled back quickly like the videos and pulled it right off so now I just release pressure after the click and use the toothpick JUST in case. Works like a charm!

Good luck with the vet and the Libre

 

[Elaine and Ember]

I understand how you feel Elaine. Just remind yourself you're doing all of this to keep her safe and to get her as healthy as we can.
It's one poke when the Libre is installed and that's it.

Ivy is a very spicy girl and I am able to install the Libres all by myself. Every time. So it can't be that bad or she would fight me (she doesn't) .
She hates ear pokes much more (she bites and fights me).

I just use a tegaderm clear patch on top of the Libre and that's it (never used the other patches). But I keep the Libre covered w ith a tube top or Ivy pulls off her Libre (naughty girl)
I also poke a little hole in the tegaderm to let the hole in the center of the Libre breathe.

*** TIP: When you install the Libre, have a toothpick or a small flat object handy (a flat nail file perhaps). When I lift off the installer cap very gently, I use the toothpick to hold down the Libre in place as the cap is lifted off. It's a trick i have devised that keeps me from any mishaps with installation. The Libre stays in place and we are good to go.

I hope this helps, let us know how it goes today!!! Sending good vibes your way!

Thanks for the tips!
Question about the Libre app… Did you create the account with Ivy’s info (birthday, etc) or your own? Does it make a difference for getting replacements?

 

[Elaine and Ember]

On the rare occasion I install a Libre, I do the same with a toothpick!! The first time I did the install, I pulled back quickly like the videos and pulled it right off so now I just release pressure after the click and use the toothpick JUST in case. Works like a charm!

Good luck with the vet and the Libre

Well that was a miserable failure.
I just got home and it says “sensor ended. Start a new sensor to check glucose.” So that means this one is toast, right?
The vet wanted to use glue and I said I didn’t want glue and then the paper didn’t really stick all the way down so I figured it might not work. What a waste of time and $$$.

 

[Staci & Ivy]

Thanks for the tips!
Question about the Libre app… Did you create the account with Ivy’s info (birthday, etc) or your own? Does it make a difference for getting replacements?

I don’t think it matters. I would just use a name that doesn’t indicate a cat (you could use Amber or just your own name).
I think I used my information when I registered.

When you request a replacement, you use that information you registered in the account with Abbott.

And you never say it’s for a cat.

 

[Staci & Ivy]

Well that was a miserable failure.
I just got home and it says “sensor ended. Start a new sensor to check glucose.” So that means this one is toast, right?
The vet wanted to use glue and I said I didn’t want glue and then the paper didn’t really stick all the way down so I figured it might not work. What a waste of time and $$$.

Oh nooooooooo

I saw your FB post and it looks like the skin is folded and wrinkled (am I seeing that right?)
It looks high up and maybe on bone???)
Can you post a closer, clear pic of her back where they shaved her and the placement? We can then give you better guidance on placement and if it needs to be shaved a bit closer to the skin.
I’m so sorry that happened with the vet.
Do you have a prescription you can get more? (plus ask Abbott for a replacement for the failed one or you can see if the will provide a replacement?)

You can try to install yourself with all the FB info plus our guide we have put together.
(Please ask if you need help, I’m happy to help)
Getting Started With Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) for Diabetic Cats

 

[Elaine and Ember]

Oh nooooooooo

I saw your FB post and it looks like the skin is folded and wrinkled (am I seeing that right?)
It looks high up and maybe on bone???)
Can you post a closer, clear pic of her back where they shaved her and the placement? We can then give you better guidance on placement and if it needs to be shaved a bit closer to the skin.
I’m so sorry that happened with the vet.
Do you have a prescription you can get more? (plus ask Abbott for a replacement for the failed one or you can see if the will provide a replacement?)

You can try to install yourself with all the FB info plus our guide we have put together.
(Please ask if you need help, I’m happy to help)
Getting Started With Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) for Diabetic Cats

 

[Staci & Ivy]

It actually doesn’t look too high up on her back. (Wow they shaved a huge area!)
(No harm but not necessary).
It’s a little hard to tell about how close the shave is in the photo.
Is there any longer hair or is it a pretty close shave? (You don’t want to excoriate the skin for sure).

Do you have a clear tegaderm patch to hold down the sensor? I think that helps.
(I bought on Amazon).
You May be able to find at a pharmacy??

I think the paper on the back of the Libre seems crinkled and slightly folded and perhaps that didn’t give you a solid hold (since the adhesive is on the back of the paper).

*My placement on this Libre below is actually a bit lower than I normally install.

 

[Briana + Binx]

I’m so sorry, Elaine! The same thing happened to me when the vet applied the first one, after the hour wait period it just immediately ended That’s when I tried applying it for the first time and pulled it right off, so I ended up going through 3 libres in one afternoon. But the first one that had the error, I got a replacement no problem!

Like Staci said, I’d try yourself now… making sure the shave is close. I also use something called skin tac and I find it helps immensely with keeping the initial stick on application. Also, unfortunately no matter how perfect the application is there is always a chance that some stupid error is going to make it fail. More times than not it’ll work, but it’s soul crushing when it doesn’t. Don’t be hard on yourself, it’s just luck of the draw sometimes.

Do you think you’ll try yourself again?

 

[Elaine and Ember]

It actually doesn’t look too high up on her back. (Wow they shaved a huge area!)
(No harm but not necessary).
It’s a little hard to tell about how close the shave is in the photo.
Is there any longer hair or is it a pretty close shave? (You don’t want to excoriate the skin for sure).

Do you have a clear tegaderm patch to hold down the sensor? I think that helps.
(I bought on Amazon).
You May be able to find at a pharmacy??

I think the paper on the back of the Libre seems crinkled and slightly folded and perhaps that didn’t give you a solid hold (since the adhesive is on the back of the paper).

*My placement on this Libre below is actually a bit lower than I normally install.
View attachment 77894

No, the shave isn’t very close. I was surprised he didn’t do it closer. Maybe it’s not usually an issue for him since he always uses glue?
I actually have a second sensor at home since I got a 2 pack at Costco. Maybe I’ll try that one myself. If I do it on her other side she’ll have no hair left. I want to get some patches before I try again. Also she got partially out of her shirt overnight so I had to detangle her this morning. Poor Ember.

 

[Briana + Binx]

No, the shave isn’t very close. I was surprised he didn’t do it closer. Maybe it’s not usually an issue for him since he always uses glue?
I actually have a second sensor at home since I got a 2 pack at Costco. Maybe I’ll try that one myself. If I do it on her other side she’ll have no hair left. I want to get some patches before I try again. Also she got partially out of her shirt overnight so I had to detangle her this morning. Poor Ember.

Omg! She wriggled out of her shirt a bit, wow.

I think you have enough shaved on the one side to try a different area if that works for you. Wonder if Staci thinks the same?

 

[Staci & Ivy]

Omg! She wriggled out of her shirt a bit, wow.

I think you have enough shaved on the one side to try a different area if that works for you. Wonder if Staci thinks the same?

I agree. I would just try to shave a little closer and stay on the same side.
Plenty of space with their shave!!!!
As Briana noted, use the skin tac (it’s actually a moisture barrier and not an adhesive, but everybody swears that it makes a big difference. I always use it with my installations.)

You can gently remove the failed Libre that’s on her with a little coconut oil and a Q-tip and just go gently around the paper. It should lift off very easily or if you have the bravo spray you can use that.
You could also use olive oil oil… and then when you’re done, just wipe the area with a little warm water and pat it dry.
When you do the installation after you clean the area as per the instructions, everything needs to be very dry (after you use a little soap and water, and the alcohol pads pat everything really dry) that’s when you apply the skin tac.
Let that dry for a minute or so, and then apply the Libre.

Again, have that toothpick handy and just press it down gently on the paper which surrounds the sensor and that should hold it in place as you lift the cap off.

Then I apply the Tegaderm clear patch and cover with her tube top.
If Ember doesn’t like the T-shirt, you could try a very wide headband. (I found it at my grocery store next to the hairbrush section. )
Maybe she wouldn’t pull that off.
I actually use a wide headband underneath Ivy’s tube top as a second layer of defense, since I don’t trust her