Possible remission but having concerns

Hi, I have been testing and testing and I keep getting an error message. Insufficient blood. My sister tested herself and it said the same error message. Could I have a bad Relion meter? I don't know what to do! I had to pit a new libre on Calvin because it's been so long without knowing his BGS. Help!
 
Jennybags123! said:
Hi, I have been testing and testing and I keep getting an error message. Insufficient blood. My sister tested herself and it said the same error message. Could I have a bad Relion meter? I don't know what to do! I had to pit a new libre on Calvin because it's been so long without knowing his BGS. Help!
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If your sister used your meter and strips and got an error message and you feel like she got enough blood then I think there’s definitely something wrong with your meter.
 
Yeah I think I will get a new one and see if I get better results. What's your opinion of the pet specific glucometers? Does it really make a difference?
 
The difference between a Libre and a human glucometer is just that the Libre measures the glucose in the interstitial fluid instead of directly in the blood.
 
I meant is there a legitimate difference between a pet specific blood glucose monitor like alfatrack and relion, a human blood glucose monitor.
 
For example, if you were following MPM and using an AT meter, your reduction point would be 68 instead of 50. However, there’s no direct comparison between the two all the way up into higher numbers. People on this forum have driven themselves crazy trying to compare readings between their AT and their other glucometers (and some have tried to throw the Libre into the mix too.). The only thing that they succeeded at was to make their spreadsheets impossible to understand.
 
So there is some difference, but the question is, does it matter in Calvin’s case? He’s been monitored via Libre the whole time. So to get a pet meter now would be like comparing apples to oranges (to some extent— probably a bad analogy, but there’s no direct comparison.). I don’t see the advantage of you getting a pet meter for Calvin since you are really just trying to track his numbers as you have been doing all along (until the last Libre fell off)
 
Hi, sorry I didn't see your messages until today! I have given up on my vet. I called four times and they never called me back to explain the results. I honestly believe either they don't care or they don't have a clue as to what it all means. I'm going with the assumption that Calvin is regulating and he is fine. I have a new meter but I am still practicing and trying to get good blood samples to test. So far I can't seem to get enough blood. Calvin is acting normal and seems to be doing well. I just need to get this testing down so that we can move on.
 
I was afraid you didn’t see my messages. I tried to answer your questions and I was afraid you would be put out with me for not answering the specifics. I’m happy he’s doing so well! I really believe he is healthy and in remission, but I totally support you keeping track! Vets these days can be so unresponsive. I have had this problem myself. Once I went into the vet and said I wanted to speak with her. I refused to leave until she answered my questions. I had left messages, I had emailed, etc. Zero response!
 
Honestly, if I had the energy, I would be sitting in the waiting room until someone could speak with me because I am so angry that they are just ignoring me. But I've decided my energy is put to better use on other things. I really appreciate all of the information and I want to thank you for helping me get Calvin into remission! I have no doubt that if I had continued with my vet's advice he would still be diabetic and struggling. Thank you for your time and your generous nature! I can't thank you enough!
 
Hello, I just wanted to let you know that I successfully did a blood test with Calvin today!! Whoo hoo!! He's doing great!! I am so happy that I was finally able to get a good sample and reading. The new meter came with a lancet pen that dials up to six, so I used it at six which was suggested for beginners and it worked! I got a nice drop of blood and no error message! He read at 86. I will keep you posted!!
 
For the most part, yes. I still have moments of worry but I remind myself of where we started and where we are now. It's hard to believe sometimes that he has done so well. I'm trying to transition him to better quality low carb food. He likes some of it but of course it's a process. I found a formula online for calculating the carb percentage of wet food but I don't know if it's accurate. I follow the list of foods that I found here but I would like to know if the formula is correct in case I want to try other brands. The formula says you add up the percentages if protein, fat, fiber, moisture and ash and deduct this number from 100. Does that sound correct?
 
Hi, he likes most of the foods that I have been giving him. He easily tires of everything though. I have to rotate the varieties often. He's eating Fancy Feast and some Tiki Cat. He's acting well and I'm happy about that.
 
Hi again, I am trying to find the protocol for BG testing during remission. I know that I saw it here somewhere, but now I can't find it. I'm curious about how often I should test Calvin. I've been sporadically testing and he's been doing great but I don't know how often I need to test going forward.
 
Jennybags123! said:
Hi again, I am trying to find the protocol for BG testing during remission. I know that I saw it here somewhere, but now I can't find it. I'm curious about how often I should test Calvin. I've been sporadically testing and he's been doing great but I don't know how often I need to test going forward.
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The instructions on how frequently to test are included toward the bottom of these OTJ trial Instructions.
OTJ trial instructions:
  • Start the trial on the next green pre shot.
  • If he/she is green at your normal test times, no need to test further until the next "PS" time; just feed small meals and go about your day. If he/she is blue at your normal "PS", feed a small meal and test again after about 3 or 4 hours. If his/her number is lower 3-4 hours after a meal, then the pancreas is working!
  • Post every day so we can monitor your progress and see if any tweaks are needed. He/she may have a sporadic blue number. Don't panic but post before you decide whether to shoot so we can have a discussion.
  • After 14 days of no insulin, we have a party!!
Sometimes the trial doesn't work the first time and we have to give a little more support in the form of resuming insulin. It's not the end of the world if that happens; we just give him/her the support needed. Our goal is a strong remission and it's better to take our time to get that than to rush into remission just to have it fail later on.

Once he/she is through the trial successfully, you enter a new phase. Your cat is still diabetic but has now become diet-controlled. Continue feeding low carb food in the manner successful for your kitty. If you decide to change his/her feeding schedule, let your meter be your guide to the best times to feed. Avoid medications with sugar in them and steroid medications unless they are medically essential. Continue testing blood glucose weekly for the first month and then monthly forever. It's a good idea to weigh him/her monthly. Weight should remain stable. If he/she seems "off" or sick, or is showing signs of diabetes (excessive drinking, eating, urinating, weight loss), testhis/her blood glucose right away. Keep the teeth and gums clean and healthy; dental issues can bring a cat out of remission. If you see rising blood glucose numbers, it's time for a visit to the vet!
 
So while you really only need to test monthly according to these instructions, I personally would test a little more often than that - if only to keep up the habit and to keep from getting rusty with my technique.
 
Thank you! So far so good! I will keep testing weekly I think. He has been very vocal lately, very fussy with his food again. His last test he was 92. He's acting fine except for the food issue. I keep rotating options, all wet, low carb. It's all Fancy Feast and Tiki cat pates. Thanks for your help!
 
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