First time home tester!

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Bucasmom

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We are new at this, as Buca was diagnosed a couple of weeks ago.... ran the first curve at the vet but our vet (and many helpful members of this forum) suggested home testing, as Buca was quite stressed at the vet. So, I got an AccuChek monitor today! Going to run my first at-home curve :) Any advice on how best to do this? I've been reading a few of the past threads on this... Is the best spot to draw from the ear? Every half hour for how long? And do I just allow him to eat like we have been doing so far?

I would like to start tomorrow, but am going to be away at church for a couple of hours, so can I start in the morning (he gets his insulin at 8am), leave at 11 come back at 2 and then pick it back up in the afternoon?

Also, the test strips for this monitor seemed pricey! They were almost $85 for 100 strips... any links to an online retailer that may sell for cheaper?
 
He can eat as usual. You want every 2 hours, as you can. You can start whenver you like. Any data is valuable.

You can buy the strips on eBay. Just be sure you deal with a reputable seller and that the strips won't expire too soon.
 
Before you try it, go to youtube and search for "feline diabetes testing" and you can watch lots of videos that show you how to get blood from the ear.

Carl
 
Which AccuChek meter are you using? Test strips for all the models are pretty pricey. I just bought 50 Aviva test strips from AmericanDiabeteswholesale.com for $34.99. A box of 100 tes strips costs $66.49. You can look at EBay for cheaper test strips for your meter.

Most people here tend to use a meter that has inexpensive test strips and some keep a second meter on hand to use as back up. The Relion meters from Wal Mart are popular but maybe not the best choice if you don't have a Wal Mart nearby or do but no transporttation to get there.
 
I use a Relion meter, and the strips are $33.00 for 100. You can order them on-line if you don't have a Walmart near you. It will be worth it to buy this meter in the long run (it only cost about $9.00) to save money on the test strips.

Ilene
 
coconut8 said:
I use a Relion meter, and the strips are $33.00 for 100. You can order them on-line if you don't have a Walmart near you. It will be worth it to buy this meter in the long run (it only cost about $9.00) to save money on the test strips.

Ilene
Click to expand...

Additionally, the ReliOn is a branded version of the Arkray USA Glucocard 01, available from our shopping partner American Diabetes Wholesale (click on shopping link above.) They often have deals if you purchase in bulk.
 
I see... so it may not necessarily be "you get what you pay for" when it comes to meters? The Accu-Chek one I bought was regular almost $45. I don't have a walmart close by, and am in Canada so I'm not sure what the cost difference would be or if there are any Canadian sites to buy from ?

I'll try this one out for now, and see about getting the strips cheaper. Cost will go down once i get him regulated anyways right? Because I'll use the most strips for the curves. Thanks for the links!
 
squeem3 said:
Which AccuChek meter are you using? Test strips for all the models are pretty pricey. I just bought 50 Aviva test strips from AmericanDiabeteswholesale.com for $34.99. A box of 100 tes strips costs $66.49. You can look at EBay for cheaper test strips for your meter.

Most people here tend to use a meter that has inexpensive test strips and some keep a second meter on hand to use as back up. The Relion meters from Wal Mart are popular but maybe not the best choice if you don't have a Wal Mart nearby or do but no transporttation to get there.
Click to expand...


That's the meter I got... 100 test strips cost me $85 :? Our drugstore gouges this town big time.... but it's the only drug store in town so I kinda dont have a choice other than to find them online.
 
Got an appointment with my vet tomorrow. She's going to show me the ropes for home testing :) Probably run my first curve on Wednesday and then report back to the vet (and here) with the results :)
 
I have the Accucheck Aviva and it's a very good meter--the strips are pricy in the store but you can get them on ebay or amazon for almost half the price. I actually prefer it to my Relion Micro. The Walmarts in Canada don't carry the Relion meter, so you probably want to stick with the accucheck. It can be cost effective for you if you order most of your strips online.
 
Having a hard time with home testing :( Buca hates it and I had a tough time getting blood and then when I did, he would shake his head or flick his ear and it would wipe off... He'll get used to this right? nailbite_smile

I also just downloaded my own SS although I haven't filled in the info yet... did it work?
 
You can get the drop on your fingernail and test it from there until you both get used to it.

You are close with the ss url. Go back to the spreadsheet. Make sure you have made a copy and bookmarked it. Go over to the left hand side, choose file, then publish to the web. That is the URL for your signature. Copy it, go back to the signature, get rid of the old one and and do it like this

Buca's SS
 
Sue and Oliver (GA) said:
You can get the drop on your fingernail and test it from there until you both get used to it.

You are close with the ss url. Go back to the spreadsheet. Make sure you have made a copy and bookmarked it. Go over to the left hand side, choose file, then publish to the web. That is the URL for your signature. Copy it, go back to the signature, get rid of the old one and and do it like this

Buca's SS
Click to expand...


Thank you! I think i've got it all figured out now :)
 
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