CAT MAY BE IN VERY LOW NUMBERS - 24 on ALPHATRAK - HELP NEEDED ASAP

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Critter Mom

Critter Mom

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I just spotted this post from @Janelle on another thread:

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Hi all! Tested my cats sugar w new test strips. Code on bottle is 37 for cats, but old strip code was 38. For those stips, vet tech advised me to set code on alpha track 2 meter to 08. Not sure what code to use for new test strips w code 37! When I tested cats sugar just now it read 24! Have never gotten a reading that low, and my cat is acting very normal! No signs of distress! He is eating now. Should I test his blood again later? Does anyone know what code should be for strips that say 37 for cats on the vial ? This has never happened to me before! My cat Trooper was diagnosed as diabetic in late Jan.

Link to original post:

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/...-wet-food-canada-updated.152313/#post-1612764

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I have asked Janelle to give her cat some honey or karo and to test again. I am going to ask her to follow this thread now.

Can someone sit with Janelle to make sure her kitty stays safe? I'm exhausted and can't guarantee the assistance Janelle may need.


@MrWorfMen's Mom - Linda, if you're online can you help Janelle with her question about meter coding? My brain is soup at the moment and I can't quite follow which strips she's using.



Mogs
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Are we sure Janelle is mesuring in mg/dl? She could be in mmol. She does not have other posts so I don't know where she is from. Just want to make sure there is no confusion. If it is in mg/dl that is quite low. Or the coding is not proper.
 
@Missy - It could take time to work out what's happening with the meter coding and if the 24 is mg/dL then the cat needs carbs straight away.

Can someone PM Janelle to try to get her attention? The fact that she commented on her cat having "never gotten a reading that low" then I think she could be measuring in mg/dL.

@MrWorfMen's Mom - Thank you, Linda. :bighug: (Sorry 'bout dinner and that I'm so frotzed. :( )


Mogs
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Thank you all! I did drop the meter before I tested his blood, so maybe something is out of whack! Going to go look at meter now
 
Janelle, 24 is too low. Anything under 68 on an AT meter is too low. Please do get some karo syrup and rub it on your kitty's gums. If you have some moderate or even high carb food you can feed the cat some food too. We are going to have monitor for a bit so I will stay with you.

When you have a spare second, can you tell me what insulin you are using and when his/her last shot was (how many hours ago not time) ?
 
To avoid confusion Janelle, you need to change the code on your meter to match the vial of test strips so if the code on the vial is 37, and it's currently set to 38, you need to change it. To do so, insert a strip and when the display says 38, press M or C to move it to 37 (I think it will be M)! Get another test as soon as you have done this.
 
I am giving him 1/2 unit or 1 unit depending on each reading. He ate dinner about 30 mins ago & I just re tested him. I changed code in meter to 37 to match code on stip vial. His reading is now 248
 
Ok what kind of insulin are you using? 248 is ok (not great number but certainly safe and you are not giving high doses so kitty may be ok! How long long since his/her shot in hours?
 
Last shot I gave him was at7:48 am and I gave him 1 unit because his reading this am was 207 using old strip. Pro Zinc is the brand of insulin I use
 
Yes it is the Alpha TRack 2 Purple meter. I just ordered replacement strips for the first time. Old vial said code for cats was 38, but vet advised me to set meter on 08. So used new strips for first time tonight when I got the 24 reading. That vial says code for cats is 37. I did not change code first when I got 24 reading. Once I changed the code to 37, I got the 248 reading at 9:06 pm
 
Ok you are on the same time as me and 248 is an ok number so I think you can safely relax for now! Any time you get new vial of strips, you must make sure to check the code and change it if need be. If I were you though, knowing you got that 24 reading., I'd check again before heading off to bed to see whether he is dropping and how fast. Please post your next reading and we'll advice you accordingly. I think you are ok for the night but kitties don't always follow the rules so lets just keep an eye on him/her. When do you usually go to bed? I'll watch for your before bed reading.

P.S. Your vet is dead wrong about the code. It must be set according to the code on each new vial of strips. ;)
 
I purchased exactly what the vet advised me. Got teh starter kit with the meter, strips and lancet. I appreciate everyones help. Thinking I need to test him again before I administer any insulin? What would you do if it was your cat? Im still getting used to all this . Started giving my Trooper insulin on Jan 27th, so still learning. This is first time anything liek this has happened.
 
Oh wow thank u! What is control test? Not familiar w that. There is a bottle of control solution that was in my kit. I will be up till about midnight eastern time.
 
WHEW. Sure seems like it. I am keeping my eye on my cat Trooper and he appears and is behaving normally so far..
 
I'm same time zone and I'm up well past midnight.

Have your instruction book handy. Put a new strip in meter. Put drop of control solution on strip like you would the blood. This is where you need the book. When you get the reading from solution test you hold the c button I think, check the book. Then the control symbol appears. Check that number against control numbers listed on vial of strips for cats.

I will be right back. I agree no PJ party for you tonight. Darn I'll have to find another to attend
 
Just catching this thread. When using the purple AlphaTrak 2 meter you ALWAYS set it to the code on the strip container. If you are having any trouble using the test solution put a drop on a metal teaspoon and "dip" the edge of the strip (once in the meter and ready to read) into the solution. The reading it gives should match the reading that is on the container of test strips, There will be a range printed on the container. As long as the reading you get falls within that range it is reading correctly.
 
OK, just used control slution and got reading of 146 mg/gl. Info in inst inert states proper reading is between 100-185 mg/dl for cats, so sounds like thats good?
 
Janelle said:
OK, just used control slution and got reading of 146 mg/gl. Info in inst inert states proper reading is between 100-185 mg/dl for cats, so sounds like thats good?
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That number is within the range of codes for the strips, printed on the strip container so the meter is set to the right number.
 
Janelle, I think the code 08 may have put things way out of range but just to be safe, please get a reading before heading off to LALALA land tonight and let us know what that number is so we can sleep too! Yes we worry about everybody's furkids here!:D
 
MrWorfMen's Mom said:
Janelle, I think the code 08 may have put things way out of range but just to be safe, please get a reading before heading off to LALALA land tonight and let us know what that number is so we can sleep too! Yes we worry about everybody's furkids here!:D
Click to expand...

When I saw the 911 it scared the Heck out of me knowing what normal numbers for AT2 meters are. Thank goodness you were here Linda. What a shame the vet tech gave the wrong information!!!

The next test will probably be high since if I read correctly Mogs had suggested giving some syrup when this all started
 
Yes, that's what I am expecting too Mary Ann. Mogs summoned me to the "party" 'cause she just got Saoirse home and is still feeling totally wasted from the last week or so she's gone through. Thanks for chiming in! :D
 
Janelle said:
I went and got the Karo, but did not give that to him since reading I took at 9:06 was 248 mg dl.
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Great then your reading should be an accurate one.

The older original AlphaTrak meters have to be coded with 07 in order to use the current newer AlphaTrak 2 strips, However the new AlphaTrak 2 (purple) meter is to be coded to whatever number is shown on the container of strips. You might want to tell the vet tech about their mistake so this does not happen to someone else, who may not belong to this forum.
 
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