glucometers

[thekidinthehall]

Hi All,

I have been managing two cats wth diabetes for the past 8 years. Yesterday one cat ( the other one recently died- but they are both almost 20 years old) had a blood sugar crisis. She was completely paralyzed and her sugar was not registering on the meter. The vet said that I can't use a regular meter anymore and that their are special meters for cats. I didn't find any online. Has this been other folks experience?
he also insiisted on switching her from humilin N to Lantus- I agreed but was hesitant because she has overreacted to lantus in the past. Any thoughts??????

Deborah

 

[Larry and Kitties]

Most caretakers here use human meters. I consider the animal meters (e.g., AlphaTrac) more accurate but the human ones work fine. Lantus is a good insulin. Five of my six are on Lantus. What do you mean by over reacted? What dose of N is the cat on?

 

[squeem3]

You can use any Human blood glucose meter. I don't know why your vet said otherwise unless it was to sell an animal specific meter and get a commission.

AlphaTack and iPet are two animal meters that I know of. Both are more expensive than a Human blood glucose meter and you can't buy them or the test strips at a Human pharmacy.

Lantus is a great insulin to use. Read the stickies over on the Lantus group to understand how it works: viewforum.php?f=9

 

[Seattlebrian]

Most here use human meters. What meter were you using that the vet didn't like? It might be that others here have had issues with that meter as well. A lot of people here seem to use a meter from Walmart, but the nearest Walmart to me is like 30-40 miles away (Seattle has a very vocal anti-walmart crowd). So I got mine from Bartell Drug (Wavesense Presto), it has worked very well for me and has been very consistent. When I have questioned a reading and tried a second test it has always been within 10 points of the first try.