? Need Manual Testing Guidance

kira913

kira913

Member Since 2025
Making a new thread since my old one was getting long, and we're through the FIP (hopefully, knock on wood).

I tried to read and print out as much as possible for myself to do our first manual test and insulin injection last night, but I still didn't have all the information I needed. When I tried to do the manual test, I had no idea how to position my hands or fingers or the pen. I hit myself with one of my cat's allergy shots in the past, and so I'm already anxious about trying to stick a squirming cat. I printed out pretty much the whole thread here, it's possible I glazed over what might help me, I don't know. Is there another testing tutorial with clear pictures anywhere on here? Unfortunately I am not part of the "we" in "We all know the basics", and I'm feeling very discouraged...

I had purchased ReliOn Platinum glucometer package and 28gage Microlet lancets -- 28gage was recommended to start in a thread here, but they did not have any ReliOn brands and google said they were "pretty universal." However, I could not get the 28gage lancets into the ReliOn lancing device. I was able to get one of the included ReliOn lancets of unknown gage size in, unsure if I did so correctly. The device has a slot that appears to be for alignment of the lancet, but it doesn't seem to actually act that way. I was very hesitant to try forcing it in. The included direction did not illustrate the insertion very clearly.

After lots of reading and watching videos and time dripping further and further, I whiffed hard. I have no idea if it made any contact whatsoever, no blood at all. I have no idea how I should have been positioning anything. After all that frustration and a Libre reading of nothing but "HIGH", I just went ahead and administered his first shot anyway at 8:38pm (1.5 units after I struggled with air bubbles). From his readings overnight, it seemed to do nothing. I administered his second shot at 7:11am this morning, again based off the "HIGH" Libre reading. I did test ketones, he's clear of them for now, but I don't like him being that high. I really need more advice on how to do a manual test so I'm not just relying on the Libre.

You'll notice a lack of glucose data in his chart. I can't find the cord for my Libre Reader anywhere, and it seems to be proprietary. Anyone know a way to read specifics at certain times without offloading the data? And any faster way to get a new cord than having it shipped?

Additionally, I just read yesterday that Freestyle Libre 3 sensors were discontinued in Sep 2025, before I even got my prescription for them. Are the new Libre 3 Plus sensors still compatible with the Libre 3 reader, or do I need to buy a new reader as well? I could not find a solid answer online.
 
Hometesting Links and Tips

You can use any brand of lancet device with the matching lancets. If the Relion lancet device / lancet doesn't work for you, no point in using it. You can edit the subject of your post to include "Relion lancet help needed" so that members who do use it can help you troubleshoot.

Get the ear really really warm. It may take a good minute. The sock needs to be toasty warm but not so hot that it's too uncomfortable for your cat. The cat will flinch if the sock is too warm.

The lancet device has to be pressed firmly against the ear. Hold the rice sock under the ear to provide a firm surface to poke against and keep your fingers safe. This product may be helpful: Product to help with ear testing

Adjust the device depth settings as needed to find the one that works. Some lancet devices have a clear cap that allows you to see where you are poking. Some people don't bother with the device at all. They just use the lancet carefully and poke.

Testing method varies for everyone. I hold my cat facing away from me, kneeling over him and tucking him between my legs. My right hand holds the rice sock to warm up the ear, then move it to my left hand so I can hold it in place under the ear while I use my right hand to use the lancet device and then the meter. How do I get the test strip into the meter with one hand? I use my knee to press the meter against while I push the test strip in with my right hand.
I'm sure you can find tons of YouTube videos on how to test from a cat's ear.

@Staci & Ivy can better answer your Libre questions.
 
HI Christina,
As for a new cord for your reader, I would guess you'd need to get one from Abbott? I believe it comes in the kit with the reader (if I remember correctly)
You could call Abbott to confirm.

Of call your vet office to see if they may have a spare for you to borrow or whatever, maybe they can help.

Yes, the Libre 3 is now the Libre 3 + version.
I am using up my Libre 3's before I begin with the Plus models. They use the same app (if using a phone).
Again, Abbott could confirm if you need a new reader, I would call, and NEVER say you are calling about a cat, they won't help you.
Say it's for you or a family member.

Also, if you use a phone instead of a reader, you don't need a cord.
I use a dedicated, compatible phone that "reads" the sensor and sends the data to my phone. Much easier.

Have you read our document about using a Libre? It has lots of good information to help you. I will link it here. And let me knof if you have any other questions.

Getting Started With Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) for Diabetic Cats
 
squeem3 said:
Hometesting Links and Tips

You can use any brand of lancet device with the matching lancets. If the Relion lancet device / lancet doesn't work for you, no point in using it. You can edit the subject of your post to include "Relion lancet help needed" so that members who do use it can help you troubleshoot.

Get the ear really really warm. It may take a good minute. The sock needs to be toasty warm but not so hot that it's too uncomfortable for your cat. The cat will flinch if the sock is too warm.

The lancet device has to be pressed firmly against the ear. Hold the rice sock under the ear to provide a firm surface to poke against and keep your fingers safe. This product may be helpful: Product to help with ear testing

Adjust the device depth settings as needed to find the one that works. Some lancet devices have a clear cap that allows you to see where you are poking. Some people don't bother with the device at all. They just use the lancet carefully and poke.

Testing method varies for everyone. I hold my cat facing away from me, kneeling over him and tucking him between my legs. My right hand holds the rice sock to warm up the ear, then move it to my left hand so I can hold it in place under the ear while I use my right hand to use the lancet device and then the meter. How do I get the test strip into the meter with one hand? I use my knee to press the meter against while I push the test strip in with my right hand.
I'm sure you can find tons of YouTube videos on how to test from a cat's ear.

@Staci & Ivy can better answer your Libre questions.
Click to expand...

I'll happily purchase any other lancing device, I just don't know what works together and what doesn't. I currently have n=100 Microlet 28 gage lancets, n=9 ReliOn lancets of unknown gage, and a ReliOn lancing device. my local walmart only carries 30 gage ReliOn Lancets, but does not carry a Microlet lancing device to go with those lancets. I haven't looked other places yet, I had thought I could get everything I needed in one go

How critical is it to start out with 28gage like the other threads said to do? Maybe the Microlets just need more pressure to install them, but it makes me nervous.

And what is a good depth to start with? If I miss without hitting anything at all, is it okay to try again with the same lancet?

Thank you for explaining better with the sock and rice. From the way it was described in "Testing and Shooting Tips", I had understood that you just held the warm compress for a while and then removed it when doing the lancing, so there was nothing on the other side of his ear to keep it in place...
 
Staci & Ivy said:
HI Christina,
As for a new cord for your reader, I would guess you'd need to get one from Abbott? I believe it comes in the kit with the reader (if I remember correctly)
You could call Abbott to confirm.

Of call your vet office to see if they may have a spare for you to borrow or whatever, maybe they can help.

Yes, the Libre 3 is now the Libre 3 + version.
I am using up my Libre 3's before I begin with the Plus models. They use the same app (if using a phone).
Again, Abbott could confirm if you need a new reader, I would call, and NEVER say you are calling about a cat, they won't help you.
Say it's for you or a family member.

Also, if you use a phone instead of a reader, you don't need a cord.
I use a dedicated, compatible phone that "reads" the sensor and sends the data to my phone. Much easier.

Have you read our document about using a Libre? It has lots of good information to help you. I will link it here. And let me knof if you have any other questions.

Getting Started With Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) for Diabetic Cats
Click to expand...

Hi Staci,

I've been using the Libre 3 for a few months now, and it's been going alright. A cord did come with it, I just can't find it. I think it may have fallen out of my bag on the way to the vet or something. I'm a little frustrated with my pharmacy that no one told me the Libre 3 had been discontinued Sep 2025, our first prescription for it was Oct 2025... Somehow that escaped mention despite how many times I've asked why our sensors have been so delayed and out of stock. :( I don't think my vet has any other current diabetic patients, so I don't think he's aware. I'll ask for an updated prescription when we're in again, which is weekly these days thanks to IMHA.

I don't have a spare/old phone that's functional, so I had leapt for a reader. My vet felt they were more accurate based on his own experiences, but he did say it had been a long time since he cared for a diabetic cat himself. What's the benefit of using a dedicated phone over a reader?

Thank you, I may call Abbott to see. If I have to buy a new reader altogether, I may just find a cheap phone instead... I went ahead and ordered a new cord since I'm sure it will take ages to arrive.
 
kira913 said:
Hi Staci,

I've been using the Libre 3 for a few months now, and it's been going alright. A cord did come with it, I just can't find it. I think it may have fallen out of my bag on the way to the vet or something. I'm a little frustrated with my pharmacy that no one told me the Libre 3 had been discontinued Sep 2025, our first prescription for it was Oct 2025... Somehow that escaped mention despite how many times I've asked why our sensors have been so delayed and out of stock. :( I don't think my vet has any other current diabetic patients, so I don't think he's aware. I'll ask for an updated prescription when we're in again, which is weekly these days thanks to IMHA.

I don't have a spare/old phone that's functional, so I had leapt for a reader. My vet felt they were more accurate based on his own experiences, but he did say it had been a long time since he cared for a diabetic cat himself. What's the benefit of using a dedicated phone over a reader?

Thank you, I may call Abbott to see. If I have to buy a new reader altogether, I may just find a cheap phone instead... I went ahead and ordered a new cord since I'm sure it will take ages to arrive.
Click to expand...
I used a reader only when I first began and it was a Libre 2 which you had to physically scan the sensor. Big pain in the butt.
So I switched to the Libre 3 and bought a compatible used phone on Ebay (on Abbott's website they list compatible phones)

I don't know if your vet is accurate that the scanner is "more accurate', doesn't really make sense to me frankly.

If you have a family member or friend who may have an older phone they aren't using (and is wiped clean) you could use that (if compatible). It's very easy to use a phone (no service is needed, no data plan, so no expenses there).
I use an iphone 8 (very old) phone. At some point I will get a newer model, but at the moment it's fine (and cheap).

Yes, get a new prescription for the Plus model and have the pharmacy fill that.

I always have at least 6 extra sensors on hand (I am a little crazy) and hate to not have what I need in the house for an emergency). When I was new with the Libre, I had issues with getting them stuck in the cap or other issues, but now it's pretty easy after 3 years!

I hope this helps!!

And it's good you can do ear pricks, and you can even just use the lancet itself to freehand and not even use a lancing device if you like. 🥰
 
28 gauge is a good size to use. Anything thinner would be too hard to get blood from.

I use the AccuChek Softclix with the matching 28 gauge Softclix lancets.

https://www.accu-chek.com/products/lancing/softclix
https://www.accu-chek.com/products/lancing/softclix-lancets

I have the depth set to the lowest one BUT my cat has been diabetic for 2 years now. Newbies may need a higher setting to start. The ear eventually learns to bleed more easily after awhile and you can lower the depth setting.

Is this the device you have? ReliOn Lancing Device HSA/FSA Eligible - Walmart.com It says it can be used with any lancet so those Relion lancets you have should work. Google comes up with videos on how to use the Relion device if you want to take a look. The Relion device has a clear cap that you can use to see where you're poking.
 
Staci & Ivy said:
I used a reader only when I first began and it was a Libre 2 which you had to physically scan the sensor. Big pain in the butt.
So I switched to the Libre 3 and bought a compatible used phone on Ebay (on Abbott's website they list compatible phones)

I don't know if your vet is accurate that the scanner is "more accurate', doesn't really make sense to me frankly.

If you have a family member or friend who may have an older phone they aren't using (and is wiped clean) you could use that (if compatible). It's very easy to use a phone (no service is needed, no data plan, so no expenses there).
I use an iphone 8 (very old) phone. At some point I will get a newer model, but at the moment it's fine (and cheap).

Yes, get a new prescription for the Plus model and have the pharmacy fill that.

I always have at least 6 extra sensors on hand (I am a little crazy) and hate to not have what I need in the house for an emergency). When I was new with the Libre, I had issues with getting them stuck in the cap or other issues, but now it's pretty easy after 3 years!

I hope this helps!!

And it's good you can do ear pricks, and you can even just use the lancet itself to freehand and not even use a lancing device if you like. 🥰
Click to expand...


Unfortunately I don't have any family in the area 🥲 I'd have to buy something off eBay. The reader has been working okay for me at least, I just don't want to have to buy another one if the 3 plus sensors aren't compatible... I've only had this one for 2 months :(

Once we get a new prescription I'll try to get multiple ordered right away. I didn't even think I could stockpile like like that, but I'm used to my own meds being controlled substances haha. I hatttteee the sensor application process, I'm cursed with awful luck it seems. (Un)Fortunately we are at the vet literally every week for Pants' blood work so I make them do it lol

I may try the lancet on its own!! I think it might end up being easier...
 
squeem3 said:
28 gauge is a good size to use. Anything thinner would be too hard to get blood from.

I use the AccuChek Softclix with the matching 28 gauge Softclix lancets.

https://www.accu-chek.com/products/lancing/softclix
https://www.accu-chek.com/products/lancing/softclix-lancets

I have the depth set to the lowest one BUT my cat has been diabetic for 2 years now. Newbies may need a higher setting to start. The ear eventually learns to bleed more easily after awhile and you can lower the depth setting.

Is this the device you have? ReliOn Lancing Device HSA/FSA Eligible - Walmart.com It says it can be used with any lancet so those Relion lancets you have should work. Google comes up with videos on how to use the Relion device if you want to take a look. The Relion device has a clear cap that you can use to see where you're poking.
Click to expand...


I got the ReliOn Platinum, here, which came with its own lancing device. Seems like a less helpful one that the one you linked :/ no clear cap. I may try and get another lancing device then if I chicken out of hand-lancing

I have no idea what gauge the included lancets are. I could not find the info in the listing nor in the box, they're just in a clear plastic bag you tear open. That's why I bought the Microlets... Maybe I'll try forcing one in. I don't know :(
 
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