Alphatrak 2 versus Relion Premier

[Susan Shropshire]

I read somewhere in the forum that the alphatrak and relion meters were closer to the same in the "lower" numbers and as the numbers were higher there might be a larger difference in their accuracy. Just curious what is considered lower numbers? Leo is now staying more in the 200's so I wondered if now is a good time to switch over to the relion.

Also..... does anyone have a trick on how to get their ear to bleed enough for the relion? That is one thing I like about the alphatrak is that it only takes a small drop. There are times I have to really work to get his ear to bleed and if I poke harder it goes through his ear completely. Do most test using the top of the ear or underneath? Thankfully Leo is a light colored cat so it's easier to see the blood droplet.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

Anytime you want to start saving on test strips is a good time to switch to the Relion. Under 100 is generally considered "lower" or closer to normal BG numbers.

Are you heating Leo's ear? What size lancets are you using - maybe a bigger one? Or a quick double poke? I poked on the top, but with Neko's black ears the blood would disappear almost right away. So I dabbed a very fine bit of vaseline where I was going to poke so the blood welled up and didn't dive into her fur.

 

[Susan Shropshire]

Anytime you want to start saving on test strips is a good time to switch to the Relion. Under 100 is generally considered "lower" or closer to normal BG numbers.

Are you heating Leo's ear? What size lancets are you using - maybe a bigger one? Or a quick double poke? I poked on the top, but with Neko's black ears the blood would disappear almost right away. So I dabbed a very fine bit of vaseline where I was going to poke so the blood welled up and didn't dive into her fur.

I’ll try heating his ear. I have done the Vaseline and it does help keep it in a droplet.
I am almost finished with my test strips for the Alphatrak so I plan on switching then to the Relion. We have had a couple of 100s at this dose so hopefully we are getting close.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

Using a heated rice sock (old sock filled with rice), or pill bottle with warm water, on the ear really helps the blood flow. Then lightly pinch your fingers below the poke site as a a sort of dam too. I've also seen people sort of "milk" the site too. Good luck!