How do I start home testing?

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I got a ReliOn meter (micro) from Walmart. I was using my own tester (I'm diabetic), but it required too much blood. The Relion requires only a tiny speck. I think only a handful of test strips came with it, so you will need refills. Also, either a little alcohol wipe, or cotton balls and alcohol (wipes are more convenient). The tester to prick will come in the box with the meter. Not sure how many lancets, but enough. I don't change those every time.

I used the paw because I could not master the ear. I held him in my lap and had success on my first try. He got gravely ill after that, and so testing was stopped, but he seemed more at ease in my lap, on my sofa, rubbing his tummy and kissing on him right before I tested.

I put the tester on the max, because the paw pad is slightly tough. I pressed it down on his big middle pad and clicked. Clicking didn't bother him, and he didn't jump or whine like he did on the counter with his ear. It was just easier for me. Before that, I had paid a Vet tech to come and test him. It's possible that your Vet might have a tech that would be willing to come to your home and work with you. That really helped build my confidence and it was worth the small charge for them coming. Good luck.
 
Getting Started Shopping list:

1. Blood glucose meter. The Walmart Relion Confirm or Micro. (about $15) These are the best choice until the ears "learn to bleed"...then the Relion Prime is the cheapest one for replacement strips. The Confirm and Micro take the smallest sample size...the Prime take a little bigger sample.
If you are in Canada, and can get to a WalMart regularly (or have friends/family that can ship you supplies if you need them), the Relion meters are great. I think the Bayer Contour or One Touch are other favorites of the Canadians in the group. Another meter that's gaining popularity in Canada is the Bravo meter available here:
http://www.diabetesexpress.ca/free-...r-with-purchase-bravo-test-strips-p-2456.html

2. Matching strips (about $19 for 50, $36 for 100) Prime strips are $9 for 50. Will vary depending on what meter you end up using. Using the Contour or One Touch, check Amazon/Ebay for better prices

3. Lancets - little sticks to poke the ear to get blood . new members usually start with a larger gauge lancet such as 28g or 29g until the ear learns to bleed. Optional - lancing tool. (about $8 for lancets, $5 for lancing tool ...not required if you can freehand poke)

4. Cotton balls/cosmetic pads to stem the blood

5. Neosporin or Polysporin ointment with pain relief to heal the wound (ointment ONLY...no cream)

6. Mini flashlight (optional) - useful to help see the ear veins in dark cats, and to press against

7. Ketone urine test strips..ketostix (urine only) or ketodiastix (test urine and blood but more expensive and unnecessary if you're already testing BG) - Important to check ketones when blood is high

8. Sharps container - to dispose of wasted syringes and lancets.

9. Treats for the cat - like freeze dried chicken

10. Karo syrup/corn syrup or honey if you dont have it at home - for hypo emergencies to bring blood sugar up fast

11. A couple of cans of fancy feast gravy lovers or other high carb gravy food- for hypo emergencies to bring blood sugar up fast

12. Syringes (If using a U100 insulin like Lantus or Levemir or willing to use a conversion chart with U40 insulin like ProZinc)
IMPORTANT that you get syringes with half unit markings! 30 or 31 gauge, 3/10cc insulin syringes....All the WalMart Relion 3/10cc syringes have half unit markings

 
William Rufo said:
What do u guys mean by ears that don't want to bleed? How would I get blood anywhere else?
Click to expand...

It can take time to get blood every time you poke, but the more you poke, the more new capillaries grow into the edge of the ear and the ears "learn to bleed". Especially at first, it's important to make sure the ear is warm before you try to poke. A small sock with a little rice in it and microwaved or a small pill bottle filled with warm water are both good ways to warm the ear.

William Rufo said:
Also is it true some meters do not work accurately for pets?
Click to expand...

ALL meters are allowed to have a 20% variance by the FDA. The big difference between pet meters and human meters is the "scale" we use. Pet meters run a little higher than human meters do, but if you understand what numbers you're looking for, it doesn't matter if you use a pet or human meter

The big reason most of us use human meters is because the cost of the strips that the pet meters use is terribly high...they can be over $1 EACH...and when you test 4-8 times a day (or more), that runs into a lot of money.

The Relion meters from Walmart (Confirm or Micro) are what most of us use because it takes the tiniest sample size (important especially on "new" ears) and the strips are affordable at $35.88 per 100

The protocols we use here are all written for human meters and it's what most of us are used to seeing
 
That one is great!!....or the Confirm here (they both take the same small sample size...the Micro is just a smaller meter so it depends on what "fits" in your hand better)...the Confirm I linked also includes 50 strips for the extra $5 which is a really good price for strips. Both the Micro and the Confirm use the same strips

If you're buying online instead of going to the store, make sure you also buy some extra strips to go with it
 
if your using the ear here is another picture--I initially tried to hit the vein:eek:
Not what your aiming for... between the vein and the very edge of the ear has the least amount of discomfort (if any)
laur_danny_famoussweetspot.jpg
 
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