Newly diagnosed, need glucose reader recommendation

Status
Not open for further replies.
K

KariLynn

New Member
My cat who is 16 years old was diagnosed this week as diabetic, her reading was 571. The vet sent me home with Caninsulin insulin 1.5 dose every 12 hours. My cat has been on a diet of Science Diet for the past 16 years and hasn't been too interested in it lately so I don't know how much she is actually eating as she has always been a graze all day cat. I am not really comfortable just administering the dose without knowing what her glucose reading is so I want to get a glucose monitor but not sure what kind to get and how to use it. This morning I bought Evo 95% Chicken and Turkey wet food to feed her and she loved it. She has been drinking quite a bit. She also has kidney disease, but I am more concerned with dealing with the diabetes and blood sugar issues at this point.

Any information is greatly appreciated.

Thank You,
Kari
 
i use a Relion micro from Wal-Mart. Vet is fine with that (although he mentioned something last week about one of the One Touch meters might be closer to the Alpha Trak?). Cedric goes for his dental on Monday, so his kit is going so that the vet can test just to compare (Cedric is off his Lantus insulin and in remission).
 
i don't know where you live, but i'm in Canada and use the new Bayer Contour(the orange one), and it's almost bang on with the one the vet uses. It's only 0.6 off.
 
KariLynn said:
Hi Rockstar, I am also in Canada, where did you purchase your monitor from?

Thanks,
Kari
Click to expand...

Hi Kari,
I am also in Canada, was in Toronto like Rockstar, but am in Winnipeg right now.

I also LOVE the Bayer contour meters, but the OneTouch meters are also OK.
I would get a Bayer, and WELL DONE on the food change!

About the insulin, scrap the caninsulin as it's pretty good for dogs as in CANine, but lousy for cats.... I started on it with my Shadoe but quickly found that it was useless. Caninsulin is more of a medium lasting insulin and its effect are well worn off before the next shot. If it lasts maybe 7 or 8 hours, you are lucky, so what about the remaining 4hours? Yup, your cat's BG goes up high again.

Go to a Shoppers DrugMart and ask the pharmacist for a pack of Lantus or Levemir insulin cartridges.
You will also need to get a box of U100 syringes with 1/2 unit markings on the barrels.... I think the BD brand is quite popular in the Shopper's I have seen. You should also pick up a box of KETOSTIX so that you can test your cat's urine for KETONES. Very important to be testing for ketones.

We Canadians are very fortunate in that we do not need any rx to purchase insulins or syringes, like in other countries.

Once you have your meter, the test strips for it, and the lancets for the lancet device that comes with the meter, and you also have your good insulin, (Lantus is OK but I truly prefer Levemir), and the Ketostix, you will be ready to get to work on getting your cat's BG where she will feel MUCH better.

If you can give a bit more info on her kidney disease, there will be several people here who can help you sort out the good balance of regulating diabetes and caring for kidneys as well.
 
I'm in Ontario too!

Lucy and I use the Accu Check Aviva meter. We found it to be close to the meter at the vet.

Don't forget that usually when you buy 100 strips, the meter is free! I just fill out a card each time with my info (as if I am thediabetic) and voila! A free meter! I get one each time...I have kept one as back up and I also have one to be donated.

On a side note....if you do buy your supplies at Shoppers, try and stock up on 20X the points days...that way you earn tonnes of points that you can use for more kitty supplies, or for a treat for you for being an awesome bean!
 
BOOyah! You can also watch for the times when Shoppers offers the $10 gift card if you spend $50.... I wait till those times, then get stuff in $50 batches... like get 2 boxes of syringes on one purchase, then lancets and aspirins and some toiletries for another, next a box of strips, and then a 5pack of Levemir for another purchase... voila, got me four $10 gift cards and also stocked up on points.
I think a couple times a year, I get my 5pack of insulin free, just on points, and quite often I can use all those gift cards to make my next purchase of strips half price!

It really depends on what suits you when it comes to meters. I think it would be a good idea to get a few of the kinds of meters and try them out. While I did start with the OneTouch and did like them very much, I also tried an accu-chek and the bayer, then found to like the Bayer best as I like the sipping of the strips. They are all quite good, but just stay clear of any of the FreeStyle ones by Abbot as they don't read properly for cats, proven over and over.
 
RockStar033 said:
Gayle, are you the one that referred me to the Kingston st vet in Scarborough?
Click to expand...
yes, I took all my cats to Dr. Mitelman, and he was way better than the Downtown Animal Hospital.
Dr.M is the one who got me onto the B12 for Shadoe which made a huge improvement for her.

There are a few locations but the one I went to, on Kingston Road, is that considered as in Scarborough?
 
I am so glad you like him. I do realize that they may be a bit pricier in some areas, but for the care they give, and with all the onsite equipment at the ready, you can't go wrong. I loved that he listened and worked with you.... when I took info to him, he verified the info and often gave me additional info. He was always drawing me diagrams to explain what were the issues at hand. A few times when I had worries, I just dropped in and he always made time for me, no appt, and no charge. I really trusted him and felt safe to take my animals to him.
Your Annie is in good hands with him.
 
yea, he's great like that. He went on holiday and gave me his cell phone email and has touched base with me about Annie about 4 times. THAT is someone who cares. THere's another guy that works with him that is also really great. forget his name though, Tall east indian guy, hes really awesome
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top