First day with Freestyle libre (3 plus)

[Imprettyslim]

Hello everyone,

I need some guidance please for my newly diabetic cat - this is steroids induced diabetes and my cat recovered from DKA 2 weeks ago.

I have been giving him lantus 1.5 dose as prescribed by emergency clinic doctor upon his discharge 2 weeks ago. Only today we got freestyle libre installed at vet office. Direction from the vet is to skip insulin if his glucose reading is normal fight before the meal. However, since it’s day 1 of the sensor - I am seeing erratic reading from normal to 59 and back in the last 2 hours while he is resting (he is responsive and gladly accepts plain chicken). Google says not to rely on this sensor on day 1 and continue giving evening shot, ai says the sensor is faulty - it says “Because that tiny sensor wire is trapped in the center slot on top of the disc rather than sitting beneath his skin, it cannot read his fluid, making any glucose readings (whether 54 or 92) unreliable”. Anyone went through this? What should I do? Images attached. His next insulin dose is by 8 pm EST (in 2 hours). Thank you!

 

[squeem3]

Getting Started With Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) for Diabetic Cats

@Staci & Ivy can help. There's a FB group on using CGMS on diabetic pets where you might get a quicker response. Facebook

If your cat doesn't mind his ears being handled, you can manually test blood glucose levels from the ear with any Human blood glucose meter. You'll need to know how to manually test if the CGM falls off or malfunctions (it does happen) or reads LO. Many vets just stick a CGM on the pet and send them home with no other info.

 

[Staci & Ivy]

Getting Started With Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) for Diabetic Cats

@Staci & Ivy can help. There's a FB group on using CGMS on diabetic pets where you might get a quicker response. Facebook

If your cat doesn't mind his ears being handled, you can manually test blood glucose levels from the ear with any Human blood glucose meter. You'll need to know how to manually test if the CGM falls off or malfunctions (it does happen) or reads LO. Many vets just stick a CGM on the pet and send them home with no other info.

Hello, the best thing to do is read the document linked above. Lots of great information there.
And join the Facebook group Freestyle Libres for Dogs and Cats. Lots of members to answer questions.

If he’s in the 50s on the Libre, it’s best if you are able to use an ear prick to double check his BG to keep him safe.

When my cat tends to be in the 50s or below on the Libre 3, she tends to be anywhere from the 60s to over 100 on a handheld device with an air prick. However, some cats here have been within 10 to 20 points between the 2 meters.

I have read the same things that you have that say that the sensor is not reliable on day one. I don’t necessarily agree with it, because I have blood tested with an ear prick on day one of the Libre and found it to be accurate so I wouldn’t assume it’s not accurate.

Since at the moment, you don’t know what the actual glucose numbers are you have to make the decision of skipping the shot if you are uncomfortable, and not knowing what the actual glucose would be.
Has there been any ketones in your kitties history (I see DKA noted) because if that’s the case it’s definitely not a good idea to Skip doses.
You may want to try to consult with your doctors office.

Also, I’m not sure what you mean when you refer to “normal” glucose numbers.

I hope this helps. You also may want to get something to cover the Libre so your kitty does not remove it. Especially when the Libre is new many times the cats don’t like the Libre and we will try to remove it. Hopefully they did not install it with any glue to attach it because that can damage his skin.
If you have another one put on, please do not allow them to use any glue. There is no need for glue. It can actually just shut down the sensor as it floods the filament and it can harm their skin.

 

[Imprettyslim]

Thanks, zero ketons for the past 2 weeks, DKA was after steroids use to treat asthma (or reversible sneezing), I didn’t know he got diabetis cause of it. Vet did use the glue ((( I cannot pick his ear that’s why freestyle libre. Also not easy to make him wat ahead of the insulin dose - he barely finishes 50% of the dose (40% diabetic proplan wet food and fancy feast wet food + 10% plain boiled chicken).

 

[squeem3]

Steroids can cause diabetes in some cats but it usually comes after long term use of it. How long was your cat on steroids for the asthma?