Info about Phoebe Squeak wearing Freestyle Libre BG sensor -- answers to questions I've been asked

[J.J. and Phoebe Squeak]

Hi, Phoebe Squeak is currently wearing a Freestyle Libre blood glucose monitor.


Many people have asked about it so I decided to start a thread so we could keep all the questions/info in one place.


I’ll answer the questions I’ve already received but feel free to ask any others you may have. I hope anyone else who has experience with the monitor will chime in.


I needed a prescription for it. Two actually -- 1 for the sensor and 1 for the reader.


The doctor sent me to the pharmacy with the prescription and asked me to pick it up and bring it back so she could apply it at the animal hospital.


The 14 day sensor was about $65 and the reader was about $85.


If you have an iPhone 7 or later you do not need to purchase a reader because you can use your phone instead.


They shaved a patch between Phoebe Squeak’s shoulder blades and attached the sensor with tissue glue. The doctor said that putting it on a cat’s neck is futile because when they move their neck around it always falls off.


They did not cover the sensor at all.


Within five minutes of being home, Phoebe squeak scratched it off and we had to go back to the hospital. We had to get another prescription for a sensor and go back to the pharmacy to buy one. At this point I think the people at the pharmacy felt sorry for me because they suddenly found some sort of coupon (that I’m sure is supposed to be for humans) and the sensor was $35 instead of $65 this time.


Then back to the hospital to have it reapplied with a little extra tissue glue. This time they covered it with some sort of mesh stocking type thing that she got stuck in her teeth within five minutes of being home. So, first I got her an inflatable E collar (photo attached) and then I ordered a surgical recovery suit that I found online for her to wear over the sensor. (photo and link attached)

You are able to scan the sensor right through the shirt so you do not have to remove it. Eventually we rolled up the shirt so now she’s wearing it as a midriff (photo attached) and she is a bit more comfortable but she does not like the shirt. She licks it and pulls at it. Less than she did at first, but I know she still doesn’t like it. (It has been a week so far).


The sensor only holds 8 hours of data so if you don’t scan every 8 hours some data will be lost. I have been manually uploading the info to Phoebe Squeak’s spreadsheet.


Our doctor said the sensor is not a long-term solution in a cat. She said you do the 14 day sensor once or twice to help find the correct insulin dose but then you do not continue it long-term. I don’t know if all doctors feel this way.

In our case Phoebe Squeak was very good about the ear pricks so she was actually less stressed than she is wearing this monitor and shirt.


But as people like to say here — every cat is different.


Please post any questions you may have and I will do my best to answer them based on my experience and I hope others who have used the sensor will also chime in.
Link to surgical recovery suit:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NHNF5L6/?tag=felinediabetesfdmb-20.

 

[AmandaE]

Poor Phoebes! She looks so damn CUTE in her little camo crop top! work it girl!

Since you think she finds it stressful, do you think you would do it again if you had the choice? They're posting about this sensor in the main health forum too, some cats are getting major bruising, and some open wounds from the removal process How did Phoebe's skin do when she kicked off the sensor?

PS is so healthy looking! her fur looks so soft and like it would be really satisfying to pet

 

[J.J. and Phoebe Squeak]

Poor Phoebes! She looks so damn CUTE in her little camo crop top! work it girl!

Since you think she finds it stressful, do you think you would do it again if you had the choice? They're posting about this sensor in the main health forum too, some cats are getting major bruising, and some open wounds from the removal process How did Phoebe's skin do when she kicked off the sensor?

PS is so healthy looking! her fur looks so soft and like it would be really satisfying to pet

Thanks! I agree -- even though she is not happy she is working it!
Honestly, if I'd known how stressful this would be for her, I don't think I would have done it. When she scratched it off the first time, it was hanging by a thread and I was hoping they could just reattach it somehow so I kind of kept it in place and didn't really look under it to see if she had a bruise. They took her away so I didn't see them remove the old one and attach the new one. I'll have to check when they remove it next week.
Sorry to see that Mowgli is in pink today. Hope that changes soon.

 

[AmandaE]

I love the thought of the freestyle, but I just think of when I tried to make Mowgli wear diapers because he was having incontinence.... not. happening. He would definitely scratch it off!

Sorry to see that Mowgli is in pink today. Hope that changes soon.

Thanks! c'est la vie! We will see if an increase is in order this weekend

 

[Sybil and Zoe]

Awh sweet Phoebes! I love the camo suit. LOL. That was a very good and informative post.

 

[Sonia & Leo]

Thanks for posting this J.J., it's really good information and thanks for letting us share in Phoebes experience with the free style, please keep us up to date on how it goes.
She's really adorable!

 

[LizzieInTexas]

Love the little camo onesie. Too cute.

Very informative post. Thank you for taking the time to put down.

 

[Cinnie Cole]

Our Vet was just discussing this today with me, and I am hesitant. I think we will continue to wait and see on whether we use it for Zoot! I am pretty bad at ear pricks so thought it might be an option. Thanks so much for posting your experience with this device!

 

[Jule]

Hi, Phoebe Squeak is currently wearing a Freestyle Libre blood glucose monitor.


Many people have asked about it so I decided to start a thread so we could keep all the questions/info in one place.


I’ll answer the questions I’ve already received but feel free to ask any others you may have. I hope anyone else who has experience with the monitor will chime in.


I needed a prescription for it. Two actually -- 1 for the sensor and 1 for the reader.


The doctor sent me to the pharmacy with the prescription and asked me to pick it up and bring it back so she could apply it at the animal hospital.


The 14 day sensor was about $65 and the reader was about $85.


If you have an iPhone 7 or later you do not need to purchase a reader because you can use your phone instead.


They shaved a patch between Phoebe Squeak’s shoulder blades and attached the sensor with tissue glue. The doctor said that putting it on a cat’s neck is futile because when they move their neck around it always falls off.


They did not cover the sensor at all.


Within five minutes of being home, Phoebe squeak scratched it off and we had to go back to the hospital. We had to get another prescription for a sensor and go back to the pharmacy to buy one. At this point I think the people at the pharmacy felt sorry for me because they suddenly found some sort of coupon (that I’m sure is supposed to be for humans) and the sensor was $35 instead of $65 this time.


Then back to the hospital to have it reapplied with a little extra tissue glue. This time they covered it with some sort of mesh stocking type thing that she got stuck in her teeth within five minutes of being home. So, first I got her an inflatable E collar (photo attached) and then I ordered a surgical recovery suit that I found online for her to wear over the sensor. (photo and link attached)

You are able to scan the sensor right through the shirt so you do not have to remove it. Eventually we rolled up the shirt so now she’s wearing it as a midriff (photo attached) and she is a bit more comfortable but she does not like the shirt. She licks it and pulls at it. Less than she did at first, but I know she still doesn’t like it. (It has been a week so far).


The sensor only holds 8 hours of data so if you don’t scan every 8 hours some data will be lost. I have been manually uploading the info to Phoebe Squeak’s spreadsheet.


Our doctor said the sensor is not a long-term solution in a cat. She said you do the 14 day sensor once or twice to help find the correct insulin dose but then you do not continue it long-term. I don’t know if all doctors feel this way.

In our case Phoebe Squeak was very good about the ear pricks so she was actually less stressed than she is wearing this monitor and shirt.


But as people like to say here — every cat is different.


Please post any questions you may have and I will do my best to answer them based on my experience and I hope others who have used the sensor will also chime in.
Link to surgical recovery suit:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NHNF5L6/?tag=felinediabetesfdmb-20.

View attachment 45567 View attachment 45568 View attachment 45569

Hi my cat has been wearing them for quite some time and she does not have to wear clothes and she does not have to wear a collar and she does not have to have it wrapped. They simply used a tiny amount of tissue glue and it stays on great for the whole 14 days! It is a godsend and I can check her as much as I want get a complete graph, my vet can sign in and see her curve in the newer versions start calculating after one hour. It’s to the point especially when they are inconsistent and that I do not want to be without this. She may walk a little differently with it between her shoulder blades but it is nothing painful and it is nothing painful and it is nothing she tries to take off. Love this device!

 

[Cinnie Cole]

Thanks!

 

[J.J. and Phoebe Squeak]

Hi my cat has been wearing them for quite some time and she does not have to wear clothes and she does not have to wear a collar and she does not have to have it wrapped. They simply used a tiny amount of tissue glue and it stays on great for the whole 14 days! It is a godsend and I can check her as much as I want get a complete graph, my vet can sign in and see her curve in the newer versions start calculating after one hour. It’s to the point especially when they are inconsistent and that I do not want to be without this. She may walk a little differently with it between her shoulder blades but it is nothing painful and it is nothing painful and it is nothing she tries to take off. Love this device!

WOW! You are living my fantasy! I wish so much that Phoebe Squeak could have worn it with no problem. SO GREAT to hear that for some cats it really is the right choice! Thank you for adding to this thread!

 

[Bellasmom]

WOW! You are living my fantasy! I wish so much that Phoebe Squeak could have worn it with no problem. SO GREAT to hear that for some cats it really is the right choice! Thank you for adding to this thread!

Phoebe is a doll!

 

[Moms2Tigger&Blu]

isnt the stress of having this glued to her and wearing a shirt keeping her numbers off? tigger had to wear a shirt for 3 days once after surgery and he was miserable. plus right now i am doing a 30 day heart moniter and have to wear stickers with gel in 3 places all day and night and its maddening - esp at night its so uncomfortable. is the hope that this will help her to be regulated more quickly/better?

 

[J.J. and Phoebe Squeak]

isnt the stress of having this glued to her and wearing a shirt keeping her numbers off? tigger had to wear a shirt for 3 days once after surgery and he was miserable. plus right now i am doing a 30 day heart moniter and have to wear stickers with gel in 3 places all day and night and its maddening - esp at night its so uncomfortable. is the hope that this will help her to be regulated more quickly/better?

Good question about it affecting her numbers. She is all over the place so I'm not sure if it did or not. Our doctor said it was temporary to try to find the correct insulin dose. Sadly, we still haven't found it and she's still unregulated. Sorry about the heart monitor. Hang in there!

 

[cat-astrophe]

I too am wondering how long it will remain on. My vet seemed a bit clueless when I was asking questions. We do not have a phone to put the app on but someone said there is an app for your computer and the device comes with a cord. So you have to take it download it every eight hours to get accurate readings? Can you see the results when you test and mark them down as well. I am new here so sorry if I am jumping right in, but dealing with my semi-feral BJ is very hard. Have gotten a lot of war wounds.

 

[Judy and Boomer]

How interesting! I had heard that the device (or one similar) didn't work very well for cats so I'm happy to hear that it's working for Phoebe! It would certainly be nice to not have to poke several times a day!

For the Canadians on here....I just checked out the website and the sensor is $89 CAD going up to $97 in about a week. So the cost would be $97/2 weeks vs the (approx) $60-$70 for strips. Not sure what the vet would charge to apply it.

 

[J.J. and Phoebe Squeak]

I too am wondering how long it will remain on. My vet seemed a bit clueless when I was asking questions. We do not have a phone to put the app on but someone said there is an app for your computer and the device comes with a cord. So you have to take it download it every eight hours to get accurate readings? Can you see the results when you test and mark them down as well. I am new here so sorry if I am jumping right in, but dealing with my semi-feral BJ is very hard. Have gotten a lot of war wounds.

Hi and welcome! Gosh, it would be a great help with a semi-feral if it stays on! If your vet seemed a bit clueless you might want to find a vet that's applied them to cats before because from what I was told, the application is very important in terms of placement, shaving the cat, using extra tissue glue (not just what comes with it) etc. I did not have the right iPhone for the app either, but I bought the reader. You need to use the reader to scan the sensor (what the cat is wearing) at least once every 8 hours because the sensor itself only holds 8 hours worth of info, but the reader can hold up to 90 days of info. Yes there is an app for the computer and the device comes with a cord but for me it was impossible to figure it out, so I called the company and someone stayed on the phone with me for 20 minutes helping me set it up. Amazing customer service! Yes, you can see the number as you scan so you can write it down, but even when you don't scan the sensor is recording the BG all the time, so if you can get it into the computer program you can see a graph of what's going on 24/7. I really hope it works for you and BJ!

 

[J.J. and Phoebe Squeak]

How interesting! I had heard that the device (or one similar) didn't work very well for cats so I'm happy to hear that it's working for Phoebe! It would certainly be nice to not have to poke several times a day!

For the Canadians on here....I just checked out the website and the sensor is $89 CAD going up to $97 in about a week. So the cost would be $97/2 weeks vs the (approx) $60-$70 for strips. Not sure what the vet would charge to apply it.

I don't know how far back you read in the thread, but it turned out the meter was not the right choice for Phoebe Squeak. Although it worked beautifully and it was great for me, she hated wearing it and was so unhappy that we removed it a day early. But someone else posted that their cat has been wearing them for a long time now and doesn't mind at all. As they say here -- every cat is different. Hope you get it at the discount and that it works like a charm for you & your kitty!

 

[cat-astrophe]

Hi and welcome! Gosh, it would be a great help with a semi-feral if it stays on! If your vet seemed a bit clueless you might want to find a vet that's applied them to cats before because from what I was told, the application is very important in terms of placement, shaving the cat, using extra tissue glue (not just what comes with it) etc. I did not have the right iPhone for the app either, but I bought the reader. You need to use the reader to scan the sensor (what the cat is wearing) at least once every 8 hours because the sensor itself only holds 8 hours worth of info, but the reader can hold up to 90 days of info. Yes there is an app for the computer and the device comes with a cord but for me it was impossible to figure it out, so I called the company and someone stayed on the phone with me for 20 minutes helping me set it up. Amazing customer service! Yes, you can see the number as you scan so you can write it down, but even when you don't scan the sensor is recording the BG all the time, so if you can get it into the computer program you can see a graph of what's going on 24/7. I really hope it works for you and BJ!

So I have to download everyday and try to get 8 hours? Going to be hard with work and everything. Did you download the data everyday? I know it is only a 14 day free trial.

 

[J.J. and Phoebe Squeak]

So I have to download everyday and try to get 8 hours? Going to be hard with work and everything. Did you download the data everyday? I know it is only a 14 day free trial.

You need to scan the sensor every 8 hours or you lose some data but the reader holds 90 days worth, so you don't need to load the results into your computer every 8 hours. Scanning is really simple so if you have a neighbor or friend who could pop by while you are at work perhaps they could scan BJ. If not, just scan right before you leave and as soon as you get home -- you'll get the most recent 8 hours each time. I'm not sure what you mean by a 14 day free trial. Maybe you are talking about a different type of meter? Are you in the U.S.? The sensor we used was a Freestyle Libre 14 day sensor but we paid for the sensor and reader (needed a separate prescription for each) and there was no free trial. We actually had to buy the sensor twice because she scratched the first one off right away.

 

[cat-astrophe]

You need to scan the sensor every 8 hours or you lose some data but the reader holds 90 days worth, so you don't need to load the results into your computer every 8 hours. Scanning is really simple so if you have a neighbor or friend who could pop by while you are at work perhaps they could scan BJ. If not, just scan right before you leave and as soon as you get home -- you'll get the most recent 8 hours each time. I'm not sure what you mean by a 14 day free trial. Maybe you are talking about a different type of meter? Are you in the U.S.? The sensor we used was a Freestyle Libre 14 day sensor but we paid for the sensor and reader (needed a separate prescription for each) and there was no free trial. We actually had to buy the sensor twice because she scratched the first one off right away.

The application to dowload onto computer is only free for 14 days. I do not have the capability of the phone app. so not sure how to keep getting a running log. Do you write it down? He is semi feral and will not let anyone else near him. Itis so hard to treat him because getting a blood testing ear prick and giving him his insulin is hard. Have the war wounds to prove it.

 

[cat-astrophe]

You need to scan the sensor every 8 hours or you lose some data but the reader holds 90 days worth, so you don't need to load the results into your computer every 8 hours. Scanning is really simple so if you have a neighbor or friend who could pop by while you are at work perhaps they could scan BJ. If not, just scan right before you leave and as soon as you get home -- you'll get the most recent 8 hours each time. I'm not sure what you mean by a 14 day free trial. Maybe you are talking about a different type of meter? Are you in the U.S.? The sensor we used was a Freestyle Libre 14 day sensor but we paid for the sensor and reader (needed a separate prescription for each) and there was no free trial. We actually had to buy the sensor twice because she scratched the first one off right away.

Oops - yes I am in the US

 

[J.J. and Phoebe Squeak]

Oops - yes I am in the US

Oh, I didn't know that about the limited time for downloading the computer app -- as I said, I just called the company and had them walk me through it because I couldn't figure it out. Yes, every time I scanned her I also put it in her spreadsheet so I'd have a record of it. So sorry he is so hard to treat. I wish you all the best!

 

[Bibi and Kira]

Hi my cat has been wearing them for quite some time and she does not have to wear clothes and she does not have to wear a collar and she does not have to have it wrapped. They simply used a tiny amount of tissue glue and it stays on great for the whole 14 days! It is a godsend and I can check her as much as I want get a complete graph, my vet can sign in and see her curve in the newer versions start calculating after one hour. It’s to the point especially when they are inconsistent and that I do not want to be without this. She may walk a little differently with it between her shoulder blades but it is nothing painful and it is nothing painful and it is nothing she tries to take off. Love this device!

Hi, Our cat is getting towards the end of her first 14 days wearing the Freestyle Libre. Her curve has not regulated at all and we have not learned how to home-test so we really want to do at least another 14 days with a new sensor. How many times have you replaced the sensor on your cat? No problems getting them off, or damage to your cat's skin as people have mentioned here? How do they actually get it off? How do you have your vet sign in? Do they have to set up an account on their end to do that? Thanks much for your help.

 

[Bibi and Kira]

I don't know how far back you read in the thread, but it turned out the meter was not the right choice for Phoebe Squeak. Although it worked beautifully and it was great for me, she hated wearing it and was so unhappy that we removed it a day early. But someone else posted that their cat has been wearing them for a long time now and doesn't mind at all. As they say here -- every cat is different. Hope you get it at the discount and that it works like a charm for you & your kitty!

Did you have any trouble removing the sensor? How did you remove it? Bibi has not seemed to mind having it on the back of her neck and has not needed anything to hold it in place. It has been great being able to get readings at any time, but I am almost as worried about hurting her when removing it at the end of this week as I am about whether the vet will agree to place a new sensor for another 14 days so we can keep trying to get her regulated!

 

[J.J. and Phoebe Squeak]

Did you have any trouble removing the sensor? How did you remove it? Bibi has not seemed to mind having it on the back of her neck and has not needed anything to hold it in place. It has been great being able to get readings at any time, but I am almost as worried about hurting her when removing it at the end of this week as I am about whether the vet will agree to place a new sensor for another 14 days so we can keep trying to get her regulated!

The vet removed it because after Phoebe scratched the first one off they used a ton of extra glue for the second one. However, I told them I wanted something to help remove it if she got the 2nd one loose and they sent me home with a product called Eaze Off. I've seen it on Amazon. It is non toxic and will help remove the glue, but I'd wash afterwards just to be safe. I don't know if you saw this in my earlier posts, but Phoebe Squeak's hair came out in spots when they removed it because they had used so much glue. Because the sensor includes a needle I'd be careful if you try to take it off yourself and be sure to have something to help remove the glue. So glad it is working for you. Maybe your vet can remove the one you have and place another at the same time?

 

[Perry & Jenn]

Great info, great thread, thank you! We have talked about doing one for Perry, but I can't imagine him not scratching it off immediately. And sometimes when he gets playful, he does sommersaults! I figured it would stress him out to put one of those softy Kitty Kollars over the Freestyle to protect it and his skin, and this thread is making me think my instincts about it are right. Perhaps when he's older and less active.

 

[J.J. and Phoebe Squeak]

Great info, great thread, thank you! We have talked about doing one for Perry, but I can't imagine him not scratching it off immediately. And sometimes when he gets playful, he does sommersaults! I figured it would stress him out to put one of those softy Kitty Kollars over the Freestyle to protect it and his skin, and this thread is making me think my instincts about it are right. Perhaps when he's older and less active.

My husband said the same thing -- that a less active cat would probably tolerate it better. Phoebe Squeak is 8 -- the same as Perry -- and still very active. You have to try to get a video of Perry doing somersaults! Please tag me if you post one.