Sprkl
Member Since 2021
Hello,
Our adorable little `Mouse' was just diagnosed with FD. While the shock is still quite deep, we're managing to understand what this means for her, as well as our elevated role in her care. We are so blessed to have found this amazing place to help calm our fears and we thank you in advance for your time and guidance.
I would be most grateful for help with these 3 questions:
1. While I have read that some here are using Accu-Check Aviva (soon to be discontinued) and/or Ascensia Countour BGMs, I have also found the following information from the ncbi website (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3317395) [see Table 5] indicating that these BGMs do not comply with Accuracy and ISO 15197:2010 standards. Does these mean that they are still `good enough' for testing for Feline Diabetes? We like the idea of using a `human meter', so that we can test our own human BG and are not actively researching pet only BGMs.
2. Has anyone tried a vacuum lancing device? Our research has led us to a site that states that this method of blood sampling collection is faster and easier to perform, versus regular lancing devices after pre-warming the ear.
3. One Google result led us to a comment that stated "To accurately measure blood glucose for animals (dogs and cats) an animal glucose meter must be used." The rationale was that meters for humans do not deliver accurate glucose readings for pets because of differences between the distribution of glucose in the blood in humans vs animals. (source: https://www.amazon.com/ask/questions/Tx1SDLO4SV3VR5N/?tag=felinediabetesfdmb-20)
Apparently:
Humans: 58% of glucose is located in plasma and 42% of the glucose in the red blood cells.
Cats: 93% of the glucose is located in plasma and only 7% of the glucose in the red blood cells.
As you can see, the “distribution of glucose in the blood” in humans and in animals is very different. There is also a variation between the SIZE of the red blood cells between humans and animals.
Even more, humans and pets have a different PCV (packed cell volume) – humans: 37-50%, dog: 37-55%, cat: 24-45%, meaning that the number of red blood cells differs greatly.
Meters for humans are also calibrated only for human plasma. Meters made for cats and dogs are calibrated only for animal plasma. Using a human glucose meter to measure glucose levels in cats and dogs can deliver inaccurate results —ones that are often significantly different than what the pet’s true levels actually are.
---
Again, we fully understand that many here are in fact using human BGM's to successfully monitor and treat their beloved felines; we just need a bit of guidance in determining which would be a good choice for use. As an aside, we are in Western Canada for those that may have suggestions for Canadian sources of BGMs.
With gratitude, we thank you all.
Our adorable little `Mouse' was just diagnosed with FD. While the shock is still quite deep, we're managing to understand what this means for her, as well as our elevated role in her care. We are so blessed to have found this amazing place to help calm our fears and we thank you in advance for your time and guidance.
I would be most grateful for help with these 3 questions:
1. While I have read that some here are using Accu-Check Aviva (soon to be discontinued) and/or Ascensia Countour BGMs, I have also found the following information from the ncbi website (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3317395) [see Table 5] indicating that these BGMs do not comply with Accuracy and ISO 15197:2010 standards. Does these mean that they are still `good enough' for testing for Feline Diabetes? We like the idea of using a `human meter', so that we can test our own human BG and are not actively researching pet only BGMs.
2. Has anyone tried a vacuum lancing device? Our research has led us to a site that states that this method of blood sampling collection is faster and easier to perform, versus regular lancing devices after pre-warming the ear.
3. One Google result led us to a comment that stated "To accurately measure blood glucose for animals (dogs and cats) an animal glucose meter must be used." The rationale was that meters for humans do not deliver accurate glucose readings for pets because of differences between the distribution of glucose in the blood in humans vs animals. (source: https://www.amazon.com/ask/questions/Tx1SDLO4SV3VR5N/?tag=felinediabetesfdmb-20)
Apparently:
Humans: 58% of glucose is located in plasma and 42% of the glucose in the red blood cells.
Cats: 93% of the glucose is located in plasma and only 7% of the glucose in the red blood cells.
As you can see, the “distribution of glucose in the blood” in humans and in animals is very different. There is also a variation between the SIZE of the red blood cells between humans and animals.
Even more, humans and pets have a different PCV (packed cell volume) – humans: 37-50%, dog: 37-55%, cat: 24-45%, meaning that the number of red blood cells differs greatly.
Meters for humans are also calibrated only for human plasma. Meters made for cats and dogs are calibrated only for animal plasma. Using a human glucose meter to measure glucose levels in cats and dogs can deliver inaccurate results —ones that are often significantly different than what the pet’s true levels actually are.
---
Again, we fully understand that many here are in fact using human BGM's to successfully monitor and treat their beloved felines; we just need a bit of guidance in determining which would be a good choice for use. As an aside, we are in Western Canada for those that may have suggestions for Canadian sources of BGMs.
With gratitude, we thank you all.
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