Hello my name is valerie. About 3 weeks ago i took my beloved artemis in to the emergency vet for what i thought was just a urinary tract infection. I found out he also has diabetes. I really want to do home testing. One i know i would just feel better knowing his levels. Second, he gets extremely stressed at the vets. So badly that he gets away and has to be chased and the poor thing pants. I know that the stress will make it hard to get a accurate reading. Of course the vets i talk to all say not to get human meters. Yet, from what i read many people do use them. I need advice please!!!!
Artemis
- Thread starter valerie
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Sue and Oliver (GA)
Member Since 2009
Welcome Valerie,
Yes, hometesting is the best way to keep your Artemis safe. This thread has great info:
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=287
Most of us use human meters. They are much less expensive and since we are looking for ranges, they work fine for our purposes.
Yes, hometesting is the best way to keep your Artemis safe. This thread has great info:
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=287
Most of us use human meters. They are much less expensive and since we are looking for ranges, they work fine for our purposes.
Deb & Wink
Member Since 2013
Hi Valerie and welcome to the message board, the best place to get suggestions on how to help you help your kitty get to feeling better with this new sugardance you are doing.
Human glucometers work just fine for testing our diabetic kitties. They will give different readings than a pet specific meter, but here is a reference chart to help you see the different ranges and meanings. One of the main reasons we suggest a human glucometer, is the cost of the test strips can be 1/6th to 1/3rd of the price of the test strips for the pet meters. The human meters are much, much less expensive. Also, lots more places to buy the test strips.
A couple of questions for you.
1. What is your cat's name?
2. What insulin are you using?
3. Where do you live? (so we can suggest country specific meters and low-carb foods)
Human glucometers work just fine for testing our diabetic kitties. They will give different readings than a pet specific meter, but here is a reference chart to help you see the different ranges and meanings. One of the main reasons we suggest a human glucometer, is the cost of the test strips can be 1/6th to 1/3rd of the price of the test strips for the pet meters. The human meters are much, much less expensive. Also, lots more places to buy the test strips.
BJM said:
A couple of questions for you.
1. What is your cat's name?
2. What insulin are you using?
3. Where do you live? (so we can suggest country specific meters and low-carb foods)
Lisa and Witn (GA)
Member Since 2009
You can use almost any brand of human meter. If costs are an issue, I recommend that you use the Walmart Relion brand meters. The meter is a good meter and the strips are not expensive. Many of us use them.
Wendy&Tiggy(GA)
Member Since 2011
Hello and welcome to the board!!
Human meters are perfectly good for cats, in fact the univeristy of Queensland, known for diabetes research in cats, recommends a protocol using human meters,
Here's a shopping list.. Let us know when you get it and we can advise how to test!!
Getting started shopping list
1. Meter ie Walmart Relion Confirm or Micro.
2. Matching strips
3. Lancets - little sticks to poke the ear to get blood . new members usually start with a larger gauge lancet such as 28g or 29g until the ear learns to bleed. Optional - lancing tool.
4. Cotton balls to stem the blood
5. Neosporin or Polysporin ointment with pain relief to heal the wound
6. Mini flashlight (optional) - useful to help see the ear veins in dark cats, and to press against
7. Ketone urine test strips ie ketodiastix - Important to check ketones when blood is high
8. Sharps container - to dispose of waste syringes and lancets.
9. Treats for the cat - like freeze dried chicken
10. Karo syrup/corn syrup or honey if you dont have it at home - for hypo emergencies to bring blood sugar up fast
11. A couple of cans of fancy feast gravy lovers or other high carb gravy food- for hypo emergencies to bring blood sugar up fast
Wendy
Human meters are perfectly good for cats, in fact the univeristy of Queensland, known for diabetes research in cats, recommends a protocol using human meters,
Here's a shopping list.. Let us know when you get it and we can advise how to test!!
Getting started shopping list
1. Meter ie Walmart Relion Confirm or Micro.
2. Matching strips
3. Lancets - little sticks to poke the ear to get blood . new members usually start with a larger gauge lancet such as 28g or 29g until the ear learns to bleed. Optional - lancing tool.
4. Cotton balls to stem the blood
5. Neosporin or Polysporin ointment with pain relief to heal the wound
6. Mini flashlight (optional) - useful to help see the ear veins in dark cats, and to press against
7. Ketone urine test strips ie ketodiastix - Important to check ketones when blood is high
8. Sharps container - to dispose of waste syringes and lancets.
9. Treats for the cat - like freeze dried chicken
10. Karo syrup/corn syrup or honey if you dont have it at home - for hypo emergencies to bring blood sugar up fast
11. A couple of cans of fancy feast gravy lovers or other high carb gravy food- for hypo emergencies to bring blood sugar up fast
Wendy
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