Okay, I am wondering.... is there a difference between the readings you get using a meter and strips meant for human testing and the units the vet pushes that are for pets? My vet told me that they were different and they had a loaner that they wanted a $50.00 deposit to use. She also told me the strips were different as well. I am using my nice spiffy new one that Rebecca sent me. Could that explain why her readings were so high and mine are running much lower?
glucometer question?
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Larry and Kitties
Member Since 2009
The pet-only meters are more accurate. However, most human meters are fine. Just avoid the ones with the phrase "Tru" in the name since experience here shows that those do not work well on cats. Also remember that the accuracy of any hand-held meter is only +/- 20%
BJM
Member Since 2010
While it is true that pet specific glucometers are normed on pets and those meters were designed to work specifically on pets, the cost is exorbitant and you can't get supplies in a hurry ... which is usually when you run out (like in the middle of the night while monitoring a hypo, for example).
You get "good enough" results using an inexpensive human glucometer and test strips. The FDA approves any home glucometer, human or pet, that can test within 20% of the lab equivelant value. If you have reference values for comparison on a human glucometer, and we do, you can use it quite satisfactorily to manage your cat's diabetes without spending a fortune on the pet-specific glucometer. Almost everyone on this board is using a human glucometer.
If you look at our spreadsheet template, the color coded ranges are based on human glucometer values.
You get "good enough" results using an inexpensive human glucometer and test strips. The FDA approves any home glucometer, human or pet, that can test within 20% of the lab equivelant value. If you have reference values for comparison on a human glucometer, and we do, you can use it quite satisfactorily to manage your cat's diabetes without spending a fortune on the pet-specific glucometer. Almost everyone on this board is using a human glucometer.
If you look at our spreadsheet template, the color coded ranges are based on human glucometer values.
Sue and Oliver (GA)
Member Since 2009
The problem with the pet only meters is the initial cost and the price and availability of the strips. With a human meter, you can run to the nearest pharmacy at midnight and get strips. We are looking for trends and patterns, so human meters work fine.
One reason your vet may be getting higher numbers is vet stress. Stress raises glucose levels and most cats are very stressed with the strange smells, noises and people (who are not the mommy) at the vet.
One reason your vet may be getting higher numbers is vet stress. Stress raises glucose levels and most cats are very stressed with the strange smells, noises and people (who are not the mommy) at the vet.
hmjohnston
Member Since 2011
I look at it this way-
Upfront expenses:
Alpha track meter- $100+ to buy
strips- I think they are $1 EACH
vs
Relion Micro- $15 (they just went up- I bought mine in January for $9- honest!)
strips- store- 100/$36 ($.36 EACH) and ADW 250/$72 ($.29 EACH)
I test, on average, 7 times a day.
Alpha- 7*1.00=7.00/day, 49.00/wk, 196.00/4 wk month.
Relion- 7*.29= 2.03/day, 14.21/wk, 56.84/4 wk month.
I save $139 a month by using a human meter, on average. Sure, every 45 days my auto-ship order comes from ADW ($73 because of the auto ship discount covers most of the shipping cost) but I've built that into my budget.
But lets say you only test 3 times a day because of time constraints (both PS shots and one mid-cycle)-
Alpha- 3*1.00=3.00/day, 21.00/wk, 84.00/4 wk month.
Relion- 3*.29= .87/day, 6.09/wk, 24.36/4 wk month.
Comes to a $56 savings. That's a lot of cat food (or people food, utility bill, car payment...)
Plus, consider this- Walmart is easier to get to in the middle of the night (for at least half of us)- your vet isn't open at midnight if you need extra strips NOW!!! I've had many a teller say they can open those plastic little boxes for me if the pharmacy is closed.
Most people get what they can afford. I can afford Relion Micro strips- they are consistent, reliable, and they don't take a lot of blood.
Upfront expenses:
Alpha track meter- $100+ to buy
strips- I think they are $1 EACH
vs
Relion Micro- $15 (they just went up- I bought mine in January for $9- honest!)
strips- store- 100/$36 ($.36 EACH) and ADW 250/$72 ($.29 EACH)
I test, on average, 7 times a day.
Alpha- 7*1.00=7.00/day, 49.00/wk, 196.00/4 wk month.
Relion- 7*.29= 2.03/day, 14.21/wk, 56.84/4 wk month.
I save $139 a month by using a human meter, on average. Sure, every 45 days my auto-ship order comes from ADW ($73 because of the auto ship discount covers most of the shipping cost) but I've built that into my budget.
But lets say you only test 3 times a day because of time constraints (both PS shots and one mid-cycle)-
Alpha- 3*1.00=3.00/day, 21.00/wk, 84.00/4 wk month.
Relion- 3*.29= .87/day, 6.09/wk, 24.36/4 wk month.
Comes to a $56 savings. That's a lot of cat food (or people food, utility bill, car payment...)
Plus, consider this- Walmart is easier to get to in the middle of the night (for at least half of us)- your vet isn't open at midnight if you need extra strips NOW!!! I've had many a teller say they can open those plastic little boxes for me if the pharmacy is closed.
Most people get what they can afford. I can afford Relion Micro strips- they are consistent, reliable, and they don't take a lot of blood.
What brand meter did Rebecca send you? Are you sure you got enough blood on the strips to get that low of a reading? Some meters will give you an error code if there is not enough blood while other meters will give you just a low number. Did you retake another blood sample when you got that 86?
At what point in time from your preshot did you get that 86? +3? +6?
At what point in time from your preshot did you get that 86? +3? +6?
squeem3
Member Since 2009
Some cats get so stressed out at the vet's office that their blood glucose reading will be really really high. That is why blood glucose curves done at the vet's office aren't accurate and shouldn't be relied on to determine how well a cat is doing on the insulin and dose. Home blood gluocse testing is much more accurate.
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