Get a glucose meter from vet or order online?

[Lily the Cat]

Hello,

My Lily is 11+ (honestly, I have no idea, I adopted her 4 years ago from a friend and was told she was 7 or 8) and was diagnosed about a month ago.

She's had one full BG curve done, and that's when I was told to give her 1 unit of Novalin N twice a day. The vet said not to worry about testing at home, but also said BG levels would be higher at the vet because she's stressed (something someone here mentioned on the welcome board). He did say if I REALLY wanted to do it, he could order me a meter.

She went in for a spot check less than a month ago and stayed half the day, though the vet said her levels were improving. I asked again about testing at home and he said "It would drive me crazy." I suspect he did this because I was an emotional wreck at the office and cried everywhere. Not my best day.

She has another full curve coming up in a week+. I'm going to ask my vet again about testing at home and see what they can order. I don't know what they'll offer, whether it's cheaper to order it myself or really how to start. I've started reading the forums about testing but not sure -- it's a lot of info, a lot of very helpful info.

I'm not worried about learning to test her, but just getting the right equipment.

Thank you all!

 

[Olive & Paula]

Welcome. A human meter is fine to use. The glucose will be a lower reading than a pet specific. Find out which meter your vet would order and how much. Then search Amazon for a better price. Also if your vet orders it, where would you get the strips? You have to make sure you don't run out because pet specific meters are not usually sold in stores. Wal-Mart brand Relion Confirm and Micro are very popular here. They use the same size drop as the pet specific which so far is the smallest drop needed.

 

[Lily the Cat]

Thank you! I'll ask when I'm in there what he would plan to order and ask about strips.

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

One very important thing to consider....if you go with a pet meter (like your vet would order) the replacement strips run about $1 EACH and if you run out at 2am at night and your kitty is running too low, there's no place to get more

With the human meters, you just have to understand the different scale....and if you live in the US and have a 24 hour WalMart, you'll always be able to get strips when you need them. The Relion Confirm or Micro meters are very popular here....the strips run $35.88 per 100

 

[jacereske]

I switched from the Alpha Trak 2 (pet meter) to Relion Confirm a couple of months ago. It's a great meter and needs a minute amount of blood. The strips are very affordable. I don't have a Wal-mart close by so I just order them online.

 

[Callie & Patches]

The cheapest meter and strips is Advocate at 17.95 for the starter kit and 18.50 for the strips. The AlphaTrack is $60 for the strips and and $52 for the starter kit. I They all seem to be on sale right now. Those are the best prices I have seen. I The AlphaTrack 2 is what the vets use.

 

[Critter Mom]

I asked again about testing at home and he said "It would drive me crazy."

There's one thing that will drive you crazier than any testing; not knowing what your cat's BG levels are - especially when you're worried.

The vet I used when Saoirse was first diagnosed was so anti testing that she refused to even give me a recommendation on which pet meter to use (never mind a human meter). I ended up having to give Saoirse her insulin 'blind' for the first few weeks of her treatment. I hadn't a clue what her BG levels were, and she was so lethargic on the particular insulin she was receiving at the time that I had no way of knowing whether or not she might be hypoglycaemic. Every day was a waking nightmare. I moved to a different practice where the vets supported home testing. I can't put into words how much better things got when I was able to test her BG levels and make sure she was safe; the peace of mind is priceless (and it helped me to treat her more effectively!).


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