Canadian Members need suggestions on meters

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KittenTheCat

KittenTheCat

Member Since 2020
I am currently using the AlphaTrak2 glucose meter and it's so expensive; I want to do proper testing of Kitten before injections and periodic checks but given how many strips you need to have on hand I can't afford to keep purchasing refills.

I am in Ontario and would like to know what fellow Canadians use as a cost effective but reliable/accurate (as much as possible) glucose meter? I do plan to have on stock AlphaTrak2 strips for comparisons and emergencies but I don't want to continue using it as the main meter. I cringe every time I want to retest as each strip is $2.00+. I want to be sure I am keeping Kitten safe by doing proper testing but I also need to be cost effective as I have 2 cats and a dog on one income and we all know how expensive it can be having a diabetic pet!

I have seen a lot of talking about FreeStyle Lite which I have confirmed I could get - strips around $80 for 100 which is still costly but cheaper than AlphaTrak2 which run at about $110 for 50.

I also saw a recommendation for the Bravo meter purchased online with replacement strips at $45 ish for 100 strips.

Sorry if this information exists somewhere on the page. I looked through articles and the glucose meter article I found on here talked about Accucheck and a few other brands that I had never heard of/referenced on the forum.
 
Saw someone else said this
The cheapest option I know of in Canada is the Bravo meter, but it's only available online so you have to make sure you order strips early enough that you get them before you run out. It's a human meter, not a pet meter, but all our dosing methods were developed with human meters so we're very comfortable using them.


Also found this a member posted
In Canada most pharmacies will give a free meter when buying the test strips. I am in Winnipeg and the best price I can get for human meter strips ( they all seem to be around the same price) is Shopper's Drug Mart when using the senior's discount..every Thursday here...with 20% off regular price. Free Style Lite strips cost me $71 and every 5 weeks or so you can also get a bonus $10 Shopper's card, which brings the cost down to $61/100.


Found this also posted by another member

As for meters that are available in local stores, I believe Freestyle Lite strips are the cheapest available in Canada. There is a coupon on the website for a free meter.https://myfreestyle.ca/en/products/lite ...Just fudge the info as if Pepper is a human! :cat:
 
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Hi and welcome to you and Kitten!! :) I'm also in Ontario, close to the Quebec border. I've been using the OneDrop subscription since Christmas time and I love it!! It costs around 68$ per month for unlimited strips. They send you a starter kit with the metre and 150 strips, you install their app on your phone or computer and you can immediately order another 300 strips. As soon as I get down to 150, I order more as it takes about 2 to 3 weeks for delivery. This way, I know I have a good supply and never run out. Here's a link to their website: https://onedrop.today/ :bighug:
 
If you get a human meter in Ontario don't mention a cat. I have an Accu-Chek Aviva human meter. Their site has a page you can print, take that to any pharmacy (the bigger the better, avoid mom&pop pharmacies) and be vague about any questions. "Don't have diabetes but family doctor suggests I check / can't remember type 1 or 2 / when asked ask for minimum amount of strips. I got mine to replace my stone age Bayer which at that time required an enormous blood sample.
The strips are expensive and Aviva is useless about letting the public know about recalls. Nice kits though, great manual and a free mini travel meter.
I'm also in Ontario, I can see three Timmys from our bedroom window. o_O
 
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