Precision Xtra – Users Input Please

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Gail & Houdini (GA)

Gail & Houdini (GA)

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I’ve seen this mentioned a few times but it doesn’t seem too popular for some reason ………if it’s as handy as it sounds it would be great to use. So why isn’t everyone using it?

Can I get some opinions please?
 
We had a PrecisionXtra and loved it for blood glucose readings. We never had to use it for ketone testing. I think the major problem is the cost of the strips. I got the bg strips on ebay for great prices, but they are quite expensive in stores, and the ketone strips are even more. But for a cat who needs frequent ketone testing and is hard to test otherwise, I think it is invaluable.

There was a discussion about it on Think Tank. viewtopic.php?f=22&t=31524
 
I am one of the people that was involved in the serum vs. Urine ketone testing debate. I tried to take it to think tank and the only one who responded was another board member who pulled some quotes from the original tread. That member left the board so that topic kind of died. There are several other long standing board members that strongly advocate for the urine testing. They are certainly entitled to their position on this issue but it has tended to sort of drown out others who use serum ketone testing.

The cost is an issue. The ketone strips are about two dollars a piece if you buy them in a retail store. You can probably get them about half that price on line. It sounds expensive but if you compare it to the cost of one DKA episode, it doesn't seem so bad. Right now Abbott is the only serum ketone meter on the market available for home use. I am sure as other brands come out, the price will go down. I can try to check with some of the medical supply places to see if there are some commercial or institional meters that do serum ketone levels.
 
I can see why it's not too popular....one site online had the ketone strips at $68 for 10!!! Any idea where I can get them cheaper?

I saw some of the discussion in TT and there seems to be two sets of opinions and nothing really conclusive. Good or bad it would be better than nothing

I have an easy time with Houdini and use the urine strips but Reagan is just impossible to catch in the box and I'm nervous not being able to test for ketones.
 
Here are the levels for the precision Xtra serum ketone test: less than .6mmol/L normal. .6 to 1.5 moderately elevated. 1.5 to 3.0 High. Over 3.0 Emergency. At the moderate level increasing fluid consumption and using short acting insulin to reduce high BG is recommended if advised by MD. At the high level contacting the treating medical provider immediately is recommended. At levels over 3.0 it is considered an emergency and calling 911 is recommended due to the high probability of DKA. The values for felines is almost identical so this can also be used for cats.

I found these levels in three different places: 1. The manual that comes with the meter 2. The insert that comes with the package of ketone test strips 3. The abbot labs web site. In the past someone who tried the meter complained they didn't know what the numbers meant and there was no instructions with the meter. I have to conclude that this person did not read the literature that came with the meter or strips.

Disclaimer: the recommendations that came with the levels are directed for human patients. I would not recommend anyone try to use a short-term insulin unless you are familiar with the dual base/ bolus insulin management model.

If anyone is using a Precision X-tra, I would recommend calling your vet if it is over 1.5 and going immediately to an ER vet if it is over 3.0. The first time my cat had DKA his serum value was 4.5 ; the second time it was about 2.8 .On his second bout Nomad's BG was only 240. I credit my neighbor's precision meter with preventing a worse DKA episode and possibly saving Nomad's life. After that I bought my own precision X-tra. I use another meter to test BG that uses less expensive strips and use the precision for ketones only.
 
Mel was once in DKA - so I swallowed the cost and used the Xtra (not everyday - maybe 2-3 times a week). It was a very reassuring tool to have, especially since I wasn't always successful catching him peeing.
 
Thanks for the info - the only downside I can see is the cost and that has to be offset by peace of mind.

Reagan is so sneaky about his box time .....I probably am making him neurotic by watching all the time and he's hiding his "potty breaks" just in case that crazy beans runs up with the ladle again
 
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