? Freestyle Libre 14 - questions

My vet wants me to get the freestyle libre sensor and I want to get it ASAP (they need to provide the prescription tomorrow). Anyone have experience with them? I briefly searched the forums and didn't find much on procuring them (can I just go to my nearest CVS and get one with the script?). Is the 14 version the best one? Also the vets office made it sound like they had issues using the phone app in lieu of the reader (one of their techs has a diabetic pet and lots of experience). I am bleeding money right now and would like to save a bit if possible, is the reader really necessary? Thank you all for all your help and tolerating my tons of questions this last week.

 

Bump

 

I got my Libre 14 days sensor at Walgreens with a coupon. You can try GoodRx. You do not need a reader if you have a compatible phone.

You can get a Libre 2 (which is also 14 day) w/reader for free. I did using this
https://www.freestyle.abbott/us-en/...3H_gG_WnQWPSXl-uUn6jMuNt6jIL7Me6hB-hyWmnxnAnc
For the Libre2 you need the reader since the FDA has not yet approved a phoner app.https://www.freestyle.abbott/us-en/...3H_gG_WnQWPSXl-uUn6jMuNt6jIL7Me6hB-hyWmnxnAnc

 

Thanks @Larry and Kitties ! How long did it take you to get the voucher? I need this on my cat pretty soon. All the places online look like it will take a week to get here, so trying to see if I can get a prescription for the online purchase and a local Walgreens

 

Starburst has her libre on now....kinda where her waist would be if she had one, toward the back. I'm worried she will get it off so I've put a dog "dress" on her...a seam goes over the libre....so now I'm wavering between whether I should just take it off (she obviously is not happy in it) and hope she leaves the libre alone or leave it on and hope she gets used to it and it isn't a big deal soon. Anyone go through this? I really need the libre to work some can get her regulated (first reading at 6+ is 455)

 

You got that quick! Mine has had his on for about 8 days , he’s wearing a medical pet shirt . It is supposed to be a onesie but I cut the bottom off so it’s like a top only, my vet put the sensor just back from his armpit - not as low down as waist maybe but out of the way of injection scruff etc. I also cut hole in it to do injections round usual scruff area. My libre doesn’t registered sbove about 27mmol (uk) . I have the freestyle libre 2, app only version. Kinda wish I had got the reader version - gives better/easier to read data I think. So far it is working, he not bothered about it and is doing well with the shirt. He has never worn anything nor even a normal collar in his life so he’s done well.

https://medicalpetshirts.com/products/mps-medical-pet-shirt-cat/

can also look for similar on Amazon , depends how active your cat is, but as long as it covers and fits the body below the sensor (ie not loose flapping) should be ok.

first day I was scanning loads - enlightening- then I realised as long as you scan at least every 8 hours you won’t miss data- the device captures it automatically so it will fill in the gaps when you next scan. Of course if you want real time and a glucose value there and then you scan also.
I waited about 7 days for mine - direct from Abbot uk website, then had to go vets, sedated for fitting etc …

 

I received an email with the coupon within 5 minutes or so. I think it also appeared right away on the webpage after clicking on submit or whatever the button was labeled. .

 

https://www.walmart.com/search?query=medical pet shirt&redirect=false

Does Walmart basically sell anything you could possibly think of??!!

ain’t no place in uk where you could buy your cornflakes, milk and pick up a medical recovery suit for a cat on the way out!

 

Haha, thanks! I did order one from Amazon but it won't be here for 2 days. I'm going to swing by petsmart after work but I doubt they will ha e anything that works. If worse comes to worse and she gets it off in the next 2 days I have another one they can put on with the shirt....she will love that. I wish there was a way we could communicate to them that you have 2 choices....either this sensor (and leave it alone) or the ear pricks.....but of course my gal just thinks I like to torture her. She's very particular.

 

Do these seem to hurt/bother the cats? Is the procedure to install them painful? I’m just curious about how these work if you could share a little more?

 

The vet tech at my vet (she has a diabetic dog) did it, took about 15 minutes. My cat didn't seem traumatized after, she just wanted to go home. It is on her back side abdominal area (hard to describe). I didn't get the feeling that it was all that difficult or painful to get on. My cat is more mad that she's now wearing a pirate sweater (she started bathing around the sensor when I took off the dress)

 

Thank you!

 

So I think the sensor just died. I haven't been able to get a reading for about an hour and it looks like the sensor is coming off (there is a gap between the sensor and the skin). I think we are good on not going hypo at current dose. Anyone know if I should leave it on or see if it lifts up to come off easily? I will call the vet on Monday and see about putting the other one on. I'm not going to be able to test bg daily so trying to get her closer to ideal

 

When you scan the sensor what message to you get?

 

I was getting sensor error try again in 10 minutes but now it said the sensor has stopped working and to remove it and the reader is ready to sync with a new sensor. So yep, it's dead

 

Same sequencer I received but mine lasted 13 1/2 days.

 

Do you remove them yourself when it's done? This one is half off but seems to be on pretty strongly on the other side. Hers was implanted in her abdomen/back area and I think normal movement made it slowly come apart.
I plan on calling the vet tomorrow to install the other sensor I have and using vet wrap as well to hopefully help it stay.

 

AFter I removed covering the cats quickly scratched them off. For the first one, which lasted 14 days, I took off wrap and them went into kitchen to get some olive oil to help remove the sensor and when I cam back Badger scratched it off. I wouod try applying some oil like coconut or olive oil. They do sell a remover solution but I do not remember the name.

 

I saw that video, thanks. Have put coconut oil around the edges but it still is half on. They used tissue glue so I am nervous to pull it off without adhesive remover. Thank you

 

here is what Badger's skin looked like after he scratched it off: