Help a newbie.... Alphatrak2 is expensive ..alternatives?

[RileyMama]

I am new to any type of forum and do not know where to post things...so admins please feel free to redirect me.

Im 1 month into administering insulin to my Kitty Riley and he is a super grumpy pants to any Vet, so we are looking to have me do at home monitoring. This whole diagnosis and treatment for my cat has me financially strapped. Alphatrak2 seems to be the first choice and was recommended by my vet. However its gonna get very pricey and hard for me to afford. Many people use Human glucometers but everything I read says that is not accurate for cats. Sooo... anyone have reliable data for the alternatives to Alphatrak2 from experience? Im lost in data and parlyzed in my choice.

Thank you for any reliable feed back or links for reliable data to consider.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

The majority of us use human meters here. It wasn't all that long ago when the AT wasn't even in existence. When I started here, I think there was 1 person using it, and the vets were all using human meters. Our dosing methods use human meters - they take into consideration the number differences. So, a human meter with cheap tests strips and a small blood drop requirement is the way to go. Not only is it much cheaper, but you the test strips are much easier to come by locally if you run out. If you tell us which country you are in, we can suggest what people there commonly use.

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

Hi if you live in the US most of us use The Relion Prime Human Meter
You can buy it at Walmart
It's 9 dollars
17.88 for 100 test strips
Get 26 or 28 gauge lancets
Cotton rounds to put behind the ear and press gently , then hold it on the ear for about
20 seconds to stop the bleeding
You can also buy the Relion Premier
If you need more strips at least you can run to Walmart and pick them up
Even if you had to order them from Walmart they get there very quickly.

The Alpha Trak test strips are two expensive
You will be going thru a lot of strips in the beginning.
Just tell your vet you can't afford the test strips for the alpha trak.

What insulin is Riley on, has your vet been checking his BG ?
I'll post a link so you can give us the info we need
Also a link that one of our members made testing her kitty

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

VIDEO: How to test your cat's blood sugar

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/new-how-you-can-help-us-help-you.216696/

This link will tell you how to set up your signature , info about your kitty.
It's at the end of everyone's post in gray. See mine

This link will also explain to you on how to set up a spreadsheet if you would like to set one up in case you need dosing advice.
We enter our kitties BG on it to see how the insulin is working and how low it's taking them
This link will explain how to use the spreadsheet

If you would like to set one up and need help we have members here that will do it for you, just ask.

Home testing is the only way to keep Riley safe
Hope to hear from you

 

[Noah & me (GA)]

If you live in Canada most companies offer a free meter. Accu-Check always offers one or more of it's meters and a few strips for free. You'll have to tell a fib like "my family doctor says I'm borderline diabetic and wants me to start testing myself". Don't say anything about a cat and in return you won't be asked for your health card or any ID. They make their profit selling you strips, don't worry about the morality of it.
The Accu-Check Aviva comes with a great manual, carry case, good batteries and has a great memory function.
https://www.accu-chek.ca/en/microsites/free-diabetes-meter