NEW HERE Cat just diagnosed diabetic

[Dusty & Roe]

Each Libre sensor can only be used for 14 days. Then a new sensor needs to be applied.
Built in obsolescence with those sensors.

The fur has to be shaved really close to the skin, before the sensor can be applied.

Deb please excuse my confusion and not asking properly ok so what I’m really asking is now will I be just using the Freestyle system for good and changing sensors for BG or will the the Freestyle system eventually be taken off completely at some point and I will then use a monitor such as relion etc ? For short is the Freestyle a temporary solution or what I will be using from now on . I have to say it’s a bit on the pricey side for temporary.

 

[Deb & Wink]

For short is the Freestyle a temporary solution or what I will be using from now on . I have to say it’s a bit on the pricey side for temporary.

Yes, the Freestyle Libre CGM's do tend to be pricey, since they can only be used for 2 weeks at a time before a new sensor must be applied.

So it's a temporary solution for monitoring the BG levels, unless you can afford to keep applying the sensors every 2 weeks. Some people learn to apply the sensors themselves, thus saving themselves the cost of the vet visit to have a vet tech apply the sensor. You could think about that possibility. Even then, the price of the Libre may be too high for your budget.

Your upfront costs of getting the software to read the sensor is a one time expense. But the physical sensor that attaches to your cat is a one time only use, and once it stops working, it's a goner.

The Libre CGM is more often used for monitoring a cat in the emergency vet clinic, for an extended overnight/ multiple day stay.

In the meantime, please get used to home testing over the next two weeks, so if another sensor is not in your budget, you and your cat Dusty are used to the routine of ear (or paw) BG testing. It takes time to learn to become good at the ear pokes, so spend the time you have to get better at the ear pokes, and bribe Dusty with plenty of treats. It takes time for the ear to "learn to bleed" (aka grow more capillaries) in the sweet spot where you are poking.

 

[Lalkabee]

It's me You told me it was all new for you too so i wanted to find your post to know more about your cat. My 2 cents, but i got the AlphaTrak. The big argument here is the price of the strips. For my own sake i wanted exact numbers and figure out human meter later when Bee is more stable. The Freestyle Libre seem amazing but maybe not on a cat? :/

 

[Dusty & Roe]

It's me You told me it was all new for you too so i wanted to find your post to know more about your cat. My 2 cents, but i got the AlphaTrak. The big argument here is the price of the strips. For my own sake i wanted exact numbers and figure out human meter later when Bee is more stable. The Freestyle Libre seem amazing but maybe not on a cat? :/

As sure as I’m sitting here I know she will take it off Ahhhh I’m sorry I asked you on another thread about where you punched your Alfa track my mistake oops Sorry oh going to upload a picture of Dusty How is Beautiful Queen Bee today ?

 

[Larry and Kitties]

Your upfront costs of getting the software to read the sensor is a one time expense.

I think you mean the one-time cost for the physical reader. The cost for the dedicated reader is a little less than $100. However, You can also use the free FreeStyle LibreLink app which is compatible with NFC-enabled smartphones running Android OS 6.0 or higher and with iPhone 7 and higher running OS 11 and higher.

 

[Dusty & Roe]

I think you mean the one-time cost for the physical reader. The cost for the dedicated reader is a little less than $100. However, You can also use the free FreeStyle LibreLink app which is compatible with NFC-enabled smartphones running Android OS 6.0 or higher and with iPhone 7 and higher running OS 11 and higher.

Larry can this system still be used if you don’t have a 7 or higher iPhone?

 

[Dusty & Roe]

Larry can this system still be used if you don’t have a 7 or higher iPhone?

Can you use it with the monitor and an iPad?

 

[Deb & Wink]

Roe asked me this in a PM, but wanted to answer her here, where others can see the reply.

Hi Deb , ok so Dusty is wearing her Freestyle Libre got out of the make shift shirt the Vet put on her and while I was buying her a real shirt Scratched the heck out of her skin where the sensor is .
My Question is do you know how accurate this system is ? Dusty hasn’t been eating that much like less than half a can of 2.5 oz .
I checked the monitor an hour after the Vet at 6:35 pm it read 499 and again at 8:44 pm 376
Funny I was told not to give her a shot if she drops below 100 but was not told what to do if she is in high range without eating ?
Deb anything you can advise me would be Great
So Confused
Roe

The Freestyle Libre CGM monitors are pretty accurate. When they stop working, they don't give you any BG numbers at all.

Try putting a little triple antibiotic ointment on where she scratched her skin. And then make sure you trim her nails really well, so she can't do more damage to her skin.

If a cat's BG numbers are high, you want to keep your eye on a couple of things.
First, check for ketones in the urine. Using urine ketone test strips, available at any drugstore.
Second, check to make sure that Dusty is well hydrated. Do the "gentle tug up on a fold of skin" to check for dehydration. If everything is normal, the skin will go right back into place. If there is some dehydration, the fold of skin will be slower to go back down.

Another method to check for dehydration is the gums. Open your cat's mouth, press your finger firmly against the gum, it should turn white and let go. The gum should pink right back up. The gum would feel "tacky" if your cat was dehydrated. If that is the case, it's important to get some fluids in her.

Third, you need to get her to eat. Pamper her, give her some of her favorite foods, try to put a little food into her mouth. Whatever you can do to get Dusty to eat.
Is there one particular flavor she is refusing? Or any food?

Is she sniffing the food, and then turning her head away? Like she wants to eat, but is nauseous?

It's more important that she eats, than what she eats. So if she'll eat the old dry food, try her with some of that.

 

[Dusty & Roe]

Roe asked me this in a PM, but wanted to answer her here, where others can see the reply.


The Freestyle Libre CGM monitors are pretty accurate. When they stop working, they don't give you any BG numbers at all.

Try putting a little triple antibiotic ointment on where she scratched her skin. And then make sure you trim her nails really well, so she can't do more damage to her skin.

If a cat's BG numbers are high, you want to keep your eye on a couple of things.
First, check for ketones in the urine. Using urine ketone test strips, available at any drugstore.
Second, check to make sure that Dusty is well hydrated. Do the "gentle tug up on a fold of skin" to check for dehydration. If everything is normal, the skin will go right back into place. If there is some dehydration, the fold of skin will be slower to go back down.

Another method to check for dehydration is the gums. Open your cat's mouth, press your finger firmly against the gum, it should turn white and let go. The gum should pink right back up. The gum would feel "tacky" if your cat was dehydrated. If that is the case, it's important to get some fluids in her.

Third, you need to get her to eat. Pamper her, give her some of her favorite foods, try to put a little food into her mouth. Whatever you can do to get Dusty to eat.
Is there one particular flavor she is refusing? Or any food?

Is she sniffing the food, and then turning her head away? Like she wants to eat, but is nauseous?

It's more important that she eats, than what she eats. So if she'll eat the old dry food, try her with some of that.

It ok to feed her early ? She is due for her shot and food in 40 minutes ? If I feed her now do I give her shot early also ? Should I just wait ? Another question the Vet never told me must you always give their shot when they are eating or can the eat first then have their shot of insulin? What is the Dangerously Too High BG number and what do you do ?
Thank you Deb and anyone who may help

 

[Judy and Freckles]

I used the Freestyle Libre with Freckles for 2 weeks. What I found was the Libre wasn't very accurate with high numbers and there was a discrepancy of between 77-178 points when I compared it to the Freestyle Lite monitor (human glucometer). The only thing I trusted the Libre for was to show me if Freckles was going up or down. The vet applied it to Freckles in between the shoulder blade and just off to the side of her spine. The monitor has a sticky back, but my vet used a tissue adhesive as well. It stayed the full 14 days on Freckles.

I also started out with the Alphatrak. Like most, I wanted to start with the 'vet recommended' because they know right? I got to know the veteran vet of 30 years and she said they always just used a human glucometer because there was nothing else for the past 20-25 years. The vet did not realize that the Alphatrak's strip cost almost $2.00 each. Testing 5 times a day (which isn't excessive) adds up very quickly. Whatever glucometer you choose, investigate the cost of the strips first, because that is where the ongoing cost is going to be.

Home testing is EXTREMELY important and hard at first but not too hard, but gets easier.

 

[Dusty & Roe]

I used the Freestyle Libre with Freckles for 2 weeks. What I found was the Libre wasn't very accurate with high numbers and there was a discrepancy of between 77-178 points when I compared it to the Freestyle Lite monitor (human glucometer). The only thing I trusted the Libre for was to show me if Freckles was going up or down. The vet applied it to Freckles in between the shoulder blade and just off to the side of her spine. The monitor has a sticky back, but my vet used a tissue adhesive as well. It stayed the full 14 days on Freckles.

I also started out with the Alphatrak. Like most, I wanted to start with the 'vet recommended' because they know right? I got to know the veteran vet of 30 years and she said they always just used a human glucometer because there was nothing else for the past 20-25 years. The vet did not realize that the Alphatrak's strip cost almost $2.00 each. Testing 5 times a day (which isn't excessive) adds up very quickly. Whatever glucometer you choose, investigate the cost of the strips first, because that is where the ongoing cost is going to be.

Home testing is EXTREMELY important and hard at first but not too hard, but gets easier.

Judy I’m reading the libre can also be used as a regular monitor if you buy the strips ? Have you ever used yours in that way

 

[Judy and Freckles]

Judy I’m reading the libre can also be used as a regular monitor if you buy the strips ? Have you ever used yours in that way

I did buy the strips as well because I wanted to compare the readings between the sensor and an actual blood droplet test. There was a significant discrepancy there too. The strips for the Libre monitor require a larger blood droplet than my Freestyle lite strips, plust the strips for he Libre were expensive as well. The blood droplet was also an issue because when Freckles was first diagnosed, I had a heck of a time trying to get enough blood for the strip to read it.

So now I have the Freestyle Lite monitor, the Alphatrak monitor and the Libre Monitor... but I only use the Freestyle lite these days. The others are kept for back up for a "just in case" situation like a battery dies on my or something like that. As long as you are consistent with the monitor you use, that is the main thing - trying to compare readings will drive you crazy so don't even bother. lol

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

It ok to feed her early ? She is due for her shot and food in 40 minutes ? If I feed her now do I give her shot early also ? Should I just wait ? Another question the Vet never told me must you always give their shot when they are eating or can the eat first then have their shot of insulin? What is the Dangerously Too High BG number and what do you do ?
Thank you Deb and anyone who may help

Roe I know nothing about how that Libre works
All I am sure of that if you are home testing you do not feed any thing prior to the pre- shots which means the first test in the am and the first test in the pm
You don't have to give the shot as they are eating, you can give it right after they are done

 

[Deb & Wink]

It ok to feed her early ? She is due for her shot and food in 40 minutes ? If I feed her now do I give her shot early also ? Should I just wait ? Another question the Vet never told me must you always give their shot when they are eating or can the eat first then have their shot of insulin? What is the Dangerously Too High BG number and what do you do ?

You do want to keep the Lantus insulin doses as close to 12 hours apart as you can manage. So no, don't give Dusty her shot early.
But if Dusty is not eating well today and you said she was eating very little food, it wouldn't hurt to try and get her to eat some food now.
Test her first, (or let the Libre CGM give you the test number) and then let her eat. Then give her the insulin shot.

Many people find it easier to give their cat the shot while the cat is distracted by eating. But it's not a requirement. When you get better at the test, feed,shoot cycle, you'll be able to get all these steps done in 15 minutes or less.

What is the Dangerously Too High BG number? A number that your meter can not read, and simply gives you a value of HI or HIGH on the meter display.

What do you do about it? Not much you can do about it.

 

[Dusty & Roe]

I did buy the strips as well because I wanted to compare the readings between the sensor and an actual blood droplet test. There was a significant discrepancy there too. The strips for the Libre monitor require a larger blood droplet than my Freestyle lite strips, plust the strips for he Libre were expensive as well. The blood droplet was also an issue because when Freckles was first diagnosed, I had a heck of a time trying to get enough blood for the strip to read it.

So now I have the Freestyle Lite monitor, the Alphatrak monitor and the Libre Monitor... but I only use the Freestyle lite these days. The others are kept for back up for a "just in case" situation like a battery dies on my or something like that. As long as you are consistent with the monitor you use, that is the main thing - trying to compare readings will drive you crazy so don't even bother. lol

Lol thank you so much Judy learning about all of this I have to say is driving me a bit crazy lol

 

[Dusty & Roe]

You do want to keep the Lantus insulin doses as close to 12 hours apart as you can manage. So no, don't give Dusty her shot early.
But if Dusty is not eating well today and you said she was eating very little food, it wouldn't hurt to try and get her to eat some food now.
Test her first, (or let the Libre CGM give you the test number) and then let her eat. Then give her the insulin shot.

Many people find it easier to give their cat the shot while the cat is distracted by eating. But it's not a requirement. When you get better at the test, feed,shoot cycle, you'll be able to get all these steps done in 15 minutes or less.

What is the Dangerously Too High BG number? A number that your meter can not read, and simply gives you a value of HI or HIGH on the meter display.

What do you do about it? Not much you can do about it.

Deb you have no idea how helpful this all is I can’t thank you enough .

 

[Judy and Freckles]

Lol thank you so much Judy learning about all of this I have to say is driving me a bit crazy lol

We've all had that learning curve... it does get better though! lol

There's always something to learn on this forum!

 

[Dusty & Roe]

Roe I know nothing about how that Libre works
All I am sure of that if you are home testing you do not feed any thing prior to the pre- shots which means the first test in the am and the first test in the pm
You don't have to give the shot as they are eating, you can give it right after they are done

Diane honestly Thank you so much this is all so much to process . Last week Dusty had a great week down to BG down to 257 today I scan BG 499 and first thing you think is what am I doing wrong . Ahhhh shot time

 

[Judy and Freckles]

Many CG (caregivers) will post daily on the forum. The format is month/day- cat's name and glucose numbers. eg. 05/08 - Freckles PMPS 196. By posting a new thread everyday, experienced forum members get to know you and your cat better to offer advice if requested. You'll want to get your Spreadsheet up and running too as this forum is very data oriented. Be sure to ask all of your questions. There are lots of people on this forum who are incredibly generous with their time and knowledge! They have helped so many CG!!

 

[Deb & Wink]

Roe, can I nag you a bit? SS (spreadsheet) please. Pretty please with sugar on top?