New to Home testing - S CA (SouthBay area of LA)

Status
Not open for further replies.
M

MiaMom

New Member
Hi,
I posted a few questions on the main Board and then one suggestion was made that I ask if there is anyone in my local area that has had success with home testing that I could exchange some e-mail with.
Is there anyone in the Beach Cities (Redondo, Hermosa, Manhattan Beach) or the Torrance area of LA County?
Vet visits in this area can get pricey and I will try this week to get over my anxiety about using a glucose meter on Mia, so I can keep her healthy and not stress over the vet bills. Also, since the vet we like has changed offices and now works further away, I may be looking for suggesions on offices in my area that will work with a cat patient that is being home tested. As I mentioned on another thread, she is back to having high BG (in the 300s) after normal readings of 100 to 130 with vet visit check ups in 2010. I will be starting her on Lantus again -expect to do that within the week.
Thanks,
Mia's Mom Jane
 
Someone else recently was looking for home testing help in the LA area. This thread will give you the names of a couple people you might PM. I know "Lori and Tom" are temporarily not available due to computer problems, but maybe if you PM one of the other people in the conversation, they can steer you towards someone who can help.

viewtopic.php?f=28&t=52358&p=564117#p564117

Carl in SC
 
Hi there. I live in the South Bay area and can help. Not sure when as I have some 14 hour work days ahead. Weekends are tight, but a bit better. Which vet do you go to?

Holly
 
Hi,
Mia tested at 300 BG at the vet office last Saturday using my One Touch Ultra Mini meter. Our Dr. used the lancet (not in the lancet device) and had trouble at first getting enough blood from her ear. Then, using another lancet, got too much blood. Anywy, have not attempted to test at home. My DH was watching this test and on the way home, basically said he did not see me able to control her to use the meter at home.
We started Mia on Lantus -one unit each morning and night last Sunday. The shot routine is going OK. Mia is hingry for meals before both shots. She seems fine. She has a good (normal) appetite, lots of energy before or after shots. Her sleeping an litter box habits remain normal, so all in all she's ok and is not having side effects from the treatment.
Will consider taking her to the vet again in the next week if I do not get the home testing down.
Need to get some sleep and be up by 5:30 to feed her and get ready for work. Morning shots are at 6!
Thanks for posting comments and ideas.
Jane for Mia
 
Hi Jane,
Don't sell yourself short (tell DH you CAN do this!). The first time home testing is rarely easy. I have a very laid back cat, and he wan't really happy about being poked several times in the ear. I had a hard time getting enough (or any) blood because I was using lancets that were too small. They were 33g and they came with my meter. I went to walmart and bought some 28g ones, and bingo, first try worked.

The trick is to make Mia associate the poke or shot with a treat. For Bob it was fresh shrimp. One ear poke = one shrimp. Bob would do anything for shrimp! Kitties learn the routine, you get better every time you try it, and eventually, it's a "bonding" experience for both of you. Bob went OTJ in July, but I still check him every 7 days or so to make sure he's still "good". I did so tonight in fact. As soon as he heard the tester case zipper open, he came running, laid down in front of me purring, actually looked forward to the test! He got his shrimp after I got the drop of blood and a nice 69 BG number on the meter. Unfortunately, I'm down to just having 33g lancets again, and I guess I've lost my touch, because it took two tries to get blood. :o

You can get to that point with Mia. Everyone here has their own "tricks of the trade" they can share with you. Don't give up quite yet!

I'm glad to hear that everything else seems to be going well.


Carl in SC
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top