Hi again April.
You know having your old vet toss you out might just have been a blessing in disguise...because now you can go find a nice new vet...like the one that Julie recommended that will work with you to get your Buster feeling tip top.
One of the first things you can do right now is start learning to home test, since that requires absolutely nothing from a vet.
All you need to learn to test Buster's BGs at home is a human glucometer, a box of test strips that fit the meter, some lancets, a kitty with ears, and
[b]Treats[/b] for both kitty and mom.
Now since I'm guessing that Buster comes with 2 ears, as most models of cats do come with two ears, you already have the most critical part of this whole home testing thingy.
Now it is just getting the other pieces parts collected and learning how to use them all.
Now when picking out your meter, the most important thing to consider is the cost of the test strips, now you would think that the meter with all its computer parts, beepy and flashy things would be the pricey part right? Nope not even close, it is those tiny little piece of paper that sip up the blood, so that is where you are going to want to focus your attention when you start looking for a good meter that fits your budget. And you will want to get several boxes of those strips because you will not believe how fast you will go through them in the beginning.
Okay now you have narrowed your selection down by strips that fit your budget, next thing to look at is how much blood the meter takes. You want one that takes as little of blood as possible so you don't have to put big holes in Buster's ears as well as it is just plain easier in the beginning to get a little speck of blood than a big bead. I always like easier myself. :lol:
My personal favorite and recommendation for a meter is Walmart's house brand Relion Micro, which is also the Arkray 01-mini, just repackaged for Walmart, so if you don't want to shop Wally World you can order online through the shopping link at the top of this page from ADW.
Okay now we have a cat with 2 ears (although a 1 ear model will work), and a meter with test strips that fit the meter...next piece of the puzzle are the thingies to do the actual poking...which would be the lancets....now here it is pretty easy as most lancets are interchangeable with most lancing devices, the biggie here is gauge size, in the beginning the bigger the hole it makes the better, but here again is a tricky part...the smaller the number the bigger the hole...so you are going to want 28-29 gauge to start with, now if you can't find the actual gauge size on the box look for the ones that say for alternative site testing, those are the ones you want to start out, eventually you will get to the point where you can use that Ultra-fines as Buster's ears learn to bleed.
The last piece is something to back Buster's ear with so you don't poke yourself, and the lancet doesn't just bounce off his ear without actually poking it. Now this part is kind of a trial and error spot where everyone has their favorites, it can be a makeup sponge, a folded up paper towel, a cotton ball, or even a thing we call a rice sock...more on that below. Just about anything that is small enough to fit against his ear, gives you a solid base to poke against and keeps your finger out of harm's way.
Now more on the rice sock...warming up cold ears will get the blood flowing so to make a rice sock, you take a thinnish cotton sock, put about 1/8c of plain uncooked white rice or oatmeal in the toe and knot...easy. Now when you want to test, just stick the sock in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds until very warm but not hot, check the temp on either the side of your neck or the inside of your wrist. Now go find Buster, cuddle up, hold the now warm rice sock to his ear until his ear is nice and toasty warm...My girl also likes it if I rub her cheeks, chin, neck and shoulders with it too.
Now once you have all the pieces assembled it is time to put them all together and get that test in. In principle it sounds simple...Grab an ear, poke the edge with a lancet, sip up blood with a test strip inserted into a meter.....well actually it is that easy, but not right away, so don't get discourage if you don't get blood right away.
I'm not going to kid you here, there is a learning curve to home testing not only for you, but for Buster...this is where treats for you both come in real handy. Anything low carb will work for Buster, and for you its a personal choice but I find chocolate works well....mostly because I have convinced my husband that it really should be cute shoes. :lol:
So now that I have written you a small novel....Think you want to try learning to test at home?
Mel, Maxwell, Autumn & The Fur Gang
