Dexcom Experience?

[Jade & George]

Has anyone tried a Dexcom Continuous Blood Glucose meter? I was talking to a friend who is a registered dietitian and a diabetes educator. I mentioned how unreliable the Freestyle Libre has been for us and she confirmed that the Libres are notoriously inaccurate. She asked why I hadn’t used a Dexcom which is apparently much more accurate. She’s heard of them being used on dogs and other animals but wasn’t sure about cats. It’s very (VERY) expensive, but it also lasts up to three months.

 

[Chris and Checkers]

I have tried the Freestyle Libre and have found it inaccurate and only stayed on 9 days. Haven't tried the Dexcom. If it lasts 3 months that would be great, though I think part of the reason they fall off is that the cats hair grows back and pushes it off so I don't know if it would last that long. Plus the device is bigger too.

Though the increased accuracy is a plus, I wonder if they give out free ones like Abbott does, it would be interesting to try it out without wasting money on it if it fails.

My (human) neighbor uses Dexcom, she was using the Libre before, but our government switched to subsidizing the Dexcom over the Libre instead. I'll ask her how she likes it.

It is curious that all the articles about CGMs on cats are with the Libre, I wonder why.

 

[Larry and Kitties]

They are very expensive:
3 sensors of Dexcom G6 cost around $350. 3 sensors are typically 1 month supply. You need to change the sensor every 10 days.
You will also need a transmitter. You need to change the transmitter every 3 months. The price of the transmitter is around $250.

There are ways to increase the time the items can be used. The Dexcom G6 while smaller than the G5 is still bigger than the Libre, especially the Libre 3

I have used the Libre 14 day and it was comparable to my human meter see:

My first Libre lasted 14 day and then the two other lasted 10 days ad the last one I used lasted 13 ½ days

 

[Jade & George]

I’ve been using a Libre and it’s wayyy off, sometimes by over 100. I even read “LO” when my AlphaTrak read over 150. It’s constantly crying wolf and I feel like I have no choice but to test and retest just to be sure George isn’t in trouble. You’re welcome to take a look at my spreadsheet to see all the discrepancies. I’m on day nine (9) with it and I did reglue a little spot that hadn’t been glued well during install and that she was licking at a bit too much. She’s back in her thundershirt and really loves it!