AlphaTrak strips and best time to take reading

[BarbaraEva]

What other strips can be used with the AlphaTrak 2 pet monitor, and do I need to do anything different? The AlphaTrak brand strips are so costly.

Also, what is the best time to take a reading? My vet told me 6-8 hours after eating is ideal but wanted other opinions.

 

[Red & Rover (GA)]

Welcome. A number of people use FreeStyle Lite strips (made by the same company, I believe). A human glucometer can also be used. For more eyes on this and about testing times, please post in the Health Forum. And do make mention of the insulin you give and the amount you are using. Glad you are testing. It can save a cat's life.

 

[JanetNJ]

As red said freestyle lit strips can be used. The cheapest price for the Alphatrak strips I have found is adw.com and they always have a discount code for $5... So they cone to $48.

 

[MrWorfMen's Mom]

Also, what is the best time to take a reading? My vet told me 6-8 hours after eating is ideal but wanted other opinions

You should always take a reading before giving insulin to ensure BG is high enough that a shot can be given safely. As for other testing times, that depends to a great degree on what insulin you are using. If you let us know what insulin you are using and post in Health, we can provide specific information.

If you choose to use Freestyle strips in your AT2 meter, you must leave the AT2 meter on one of the cat codes. Known cat codes are 07, 08, 37, 38, 92, 93. Do NOT use the code on the Freestyle strip vial. While you may get readings very similar depending on the code you use, your readings will likely be 5-10% higher with most codes. The strips for the FS human meter and AT2 meter are the same but the AT2 strips have been batch tested to determine which code provides the most lab accurate results. Without knowing that code, your results will be in the ballpark but not as accurate as possible.