Easiest Way to Test Your Cat's BG Levels?
- Thread starter Cat Ma
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SuePea
Member Since 2015
The curves are done by testing your cat's BG every 2 hours for 12 hours. Then there's some math involved but they can figure out when your cat's sugar is highest and lowest and adjust feeding/dosing appropriately. It's easiest, cheapest, and most accurately done at home, then you supply the numbers to the vet. Otherwise, you pay the vet to keep your cat all day, and the numbers are likely to be high based on stress.
manxcat419
Member Since 2015
I use the ReliOn Confirm too and test either the outer edge of the ear or the paw pad (whichever Rosa wants me to test at the time). My vet prefers paw pad testing (thinks it's more accurate for some reason, or so they say though I tried testing both one right after the other and got basically the same numbers every time), most people here I think prefer ear testing. But you can use whichever works best for you and your cat, or even switch between the two. I do use the lancet pen - I just find it impossible to get the depth right quickly enough if I freehand the lancet.
And I agree completely with @SuePea - doing the curve at home is way cheaper than paying the vet to do it and gets you much more accurate numbers. There's no reason at all to pay your vet to get numbers for you.
And I agree completely with @SuePea - doing the curve at home is way cheaper than paying the vet to do it and gets you much more accurate numbers. There's no reason at all to pay your vet to get numbers for you.
Cat Ma
Member Since 2015
Which lancet pen do you use? Thanks
manxcat419
Member Since 2015
I use the one that came with the Confirm meter. I use the standard cap (on the second shallowest setting) for ear testing and the clear alternate site one for paw pads. To begin with, I had to use a deeper setting for her ears - I did end up going right through her ear quite often, but the shallower setting only worked after the first couple of weeks once her ears learned to bleed.
manxcat419
Member Since 2015
The ear is probably easier in terms of being able to let the cat just sit there while you do it. And they can be eating a treat while you test as you don't have to turn them upside down (unless your cat is like Rosa - she'll hold a treat in her front paws and eat it while I test a back paw - sometimes I think she's half cat half squirrel 
). But it does take time for the ear to learn to bleed - paw pads don't seem to need that extra time to learn so they can be easier to start with but neither is particularly difficult to get blood from with a little practice. My Rosa's just picky - I can test, but only where she wants me to so she decides which I get to do each time. You might want to try both and see which one works best for you - a lot of it is really personal preference for both you and your cat.
). But it does take time for the ear to learn to bleed - paw pads don't seem to need that extra time to learn so they can be easier to start with but neither is particularly difficult to get blood from with a little practice. My Rosa's just picky - I can test, but only where she wants me to so she decides which I get to do each time. You might want to try both and see which one works best for you - a lot of it is really personal preference for both you and your cat.
MaryB & Chester
Member Since 2012
I just use a lancet without the device. Chester didn't like the click. Hold the lancet in my hand and poke. I test his ears, and I try to alternate between them. I always have treats ready for after the test, and he learned "Test & Treat" very quickly.
Cat Ma
Member Since 2015
So you're able to get a BG reading without the device? The lancet gives you the numbers?
Cat Ma
Member Since 2015
The ear is probably easier in terms of being able to let the cat just sit there while you do it. And they can be eating a treat while you test as you don't have to turn them upside down (unless your cat is like Rosa - she'll hold a treat in her front paws and eat it while I test a back paw - sometimes I think she's half cat half squirrel
I wish my cat was like Rosa. Does it help to warm the ear first? If so, would a warm compresses help?
manxcat419
Member Since 2015
Be careful what you wish for...she and her twin were feral as kittens. I can do what I need to with them (mostly, unless it involves nail trimming or pills), but no-one else can do anything much with them, particularly with Rosa. She's a complete nightmare on vet visits, or for cat sitters etc. I had to finish a work contract early when she was about ready to go OTJ because she decided to refuse to let my husband test her BG while I was at work (and we're talking her lashing out, biting and scratching even though she loves him any other time). And yet she's a complete sweetheart with just about everyone she meets as long as they just fuss her and don't try to do anything she doesn't want them to.
I would say warming the ear does help to begin with - I don't do it anymore, but Rosa's ears have learned to bleed now. A lot of us use a sock filled with rice and warmed in the microwave, but I can't think of any reason why you couldn't use a warm compress...it's really down to what your cat will tolerate. Oh, and I found I had to use soft paper towel on the inside of her ear to give me something to poke against...I know a lot of people use cotton wool balls but I found Rosa HATES the feel of those (maybe they tickle, I'm not sure) so if you try those and find your cat won't let you use them, maybe try some folded up paper towel instead.
You'd still need to use a test strip and put it in the glucometer - it's actually doing the poke without the device that a lot of people find works well for their cats. If your cat objects to the clicking noise from the device, you might want to try just holding the lancet freehand and working that way - I just couldn't get it right without the device and Rosa happens not to mind the click.
BJM
Member Since 2010
I don't put the lancet in a spring-device to push in the lancet. I prick the ear holding the lancet in my hand.
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