Ketone Testing

[Bobbie And Bubba]

Okay, I admit and I am embarrassed , I have not tested for ketones up till now. I read on one of the post to crumble some saran wrap and put in the corner of the litter box. Obviously, I can't be with him 24/7 to see when he pees. So the question is: How fresh does the urine have to be? I won't know when he emptied unless I am lucky enough to be with him when he does. It's usually through the night sometime. Any one know the answer?

 

[Sharon14]

Hi Bobbie, from what I understand the sample should be fresh. I keep a small container near the litterbox he uses most, and when Colin goes in I stick it under him. I use the stopwatch on my phone to count the seconds for the test. I read about using the saran, but Colin's a big scratcher, I figured he'd just tear it up or something! I also read to use a nonabsorbent litter, but I have so many cats so I would never know if it was his or not. I use the relion strips, btw.

 

[Bobbie And Bubba]

Thanks Sharon, my problem is his box is in the basement and he spends a lot of time down there when he is inside. I never know when he goes and usually it is in the middle of the night. sigh.....one of these days, I'll get lucky!

 

[Sue and Oliver (GA)]

Oliver would never pee while anyone was watching. We took a clean box and put aquarium gravel in it. Then we left him in a closed room with it. He'd have to"christen" it. Then we'd swoop in and get our sample. The gravel wouldn't absorb the urine.

 

[Sharon14]

When Colin was younger, he had a couple bouts with cystitis, and I had to always check him. He preferred to go pee outside, so when I let him out, I'd stalk him and slip the cup under him. Sometimes it took awhile before he went. I guess that's why he doesn't mind it now.

 

[Bobbie And Bubba]

When Colin was younger, he had a couple bouts with cystitis, and I had to always check him. He preferred to go pee outside, so when I let him out, I'd stalk him and slip the cup under him. Sometimes it took awhile before he went. I guess that's why he doesn't mind it now.

Sharon, you have so many visuals for me. Colin helping you drive and now you stalking him to get a urine sample!! LOVE IT !!!

 

[Squalliesmom]

I have to stalk Squallie, too (he's very private about his LB habits). I stalk him all over the house, trying to pretend to him that I have another reason for always ending up everywhere he does; he views this with great suspicion. Then I have to sneak up on him while he's in the box, and here's where the finesse comes in; I have to time it exactly right, making sure he has a good enough start that he can't stop and leave the box, but still has enough left for a sample by the time I get the test strip there. So then I bend over, reach between his hind legs, and wave the test strip madly about, under him, hoping some urine hits the mark. He invariably turns his head and looks at me over his shoulder with absolute horror and disgust in his eyes, lol! I'm sure he's convinced I'm quite insane!

 

[Bobbie And Bubba]

I have to stalk Squallie, too (he's very private about his LB habits). I stalk him all over the house, trying to pretend to him that I have another reason for always ending up everywhere he does; he views this with great suspicion. Then I have to sneak up on him while he's in the box, and here's where the finesse comes in; I have to time it exactly right, making sure he has a good enough start that he can't stop and leave the box, but still has enough left for a sample by the time I get the test strip there. So then I bend over, reach between his hind legs, and wave the test strip madly about, under him, hoping some urine hits the mark. He invariably turns his head and looks at me over his shoulder with absolute horror and disgust in his eyes, lol! I'm sure he's convinced I'm quite insane!

Laughing hysterically at this, Lucy! I can relate to stalking part. Especially in the beginning of his DX, I was always sneaking up on him to check on him. With the LB in the basement, and that is where he chooses to spend most of his time, my job of catching him in the act is slim AND he mostly goes in the middle of the night. I awoke at 3:30 this morn and stumbled down there ( actually stumbled back up the stairs and stubbed my toe, ouch) to see if he'd done anything yet. Nothing. Except the dry saran in each of the 2 boxes. Then some time between that time and 5:30 when I awoke to feed and shoot, he had peed, right next to the saran wrap, dry as a bone. CATS!!