SLGS no-insulin cut off for Alphatrak, please?

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Angel's mommie

Angel's mommie

Member Since 2017
I know the SLGS don't-shoot cut off is 150 for human meters; what is it for feline meters (Alphatrak II), please? Thank you.
 
Unfortunately there is no comparable number, there isn't really a linear relationship between the two. The only number that we have for comparison is 50 on a human meter is 68on the AT.

This is why on the SLGS sticky it discourages the use of AT meters for those following this method.

Sorry I know thst is not helpful.
 
Gill & George said:
Unfortunately there is no comparable number, there isn't really a linear relationship between the two. The only number that we have for comparison is 50 on a human meter is 68on the AT.

This is why on the SLGS sticky it discourages the use of AT meters for those following this method.

Sorry I know thst is not helpful.
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I do appreciate your responding, Gill and George: thank you for taking the time to respond. I know there's no equivalence, really, but am hoping for an approximate. I actually use the human meter with no problem, but my husband is going to be taking care of Angel while I'm out of the country for 3 weeks, and the Alphatrak is much easier to use -- it takes less blood (even if both meters technically call for the same amount) and also 'sips' from both sides rather than the bottom of the strip, which is an easier angle for someone who's not that experienced while they're simultaneously trying to keep kitty's ear steady etc. I'm tempted to tell him not to shoot below 170 on the AT.
 
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I understand the issue, similar problem with my pet sitter. My back up human meter is a freestyle freedom lite, the strips for that take from either side and she finds them much easier. They are pretty similar to the AT.

That could be another option.
 
Gill & George said:
I understand the issue, similar problem with my pet sitter. My back up human meter is a freestyle freedom lite, the strips for that take from either side and she finds them much easier. They are pretty similar to the AT.

That could be another option.
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Very useful to know -- I did not know human meters do the both sides thing too! At this point I'm leaving in 6 days so don't want to get into getting a new meter, strips, testing it out etc. -- especially since I have TWO Alphatraks and two human meters, lol, each with their own backup! Maybe I'll get the Freestyle to add to my collection for next summer, when I'll be gone for some weeks again. Thanks.
 
People using the AT, who have been on SLGS for a while so have experience (like you do), use below 90 as the no shoot number.

Two points however. First, your spreadsheet does not look like you are following SLGS, but rather dosing by preshot numbers. We don't change the dose based on the preshot number, but rather the nadirs, or how low the dose is taking the kitty. On SLGS, you are supposed to do a curve every week, or at least have enough random spot checks to gather the data a curve would get you. I didn't see any curves in 2018 on the SS.

Second point, really a question, how much testing will your husband be doing while you are gone? You might want to think about a reduced dose to keep him safe if DH will be testing even less. That's what we usually suggest for petsitters, depending on the amount of testing being done. It'd be better to always get two shots a day and not have to worry about skipping. Any history of ketones?
 
Wendy&Neko said:
People using the AT, who have been on SLGS for a while so have experience (like you do), use below 90 as the no shoot number.

Two points however. First, your spreadsheet does not look like you are following SLGS, but rather dosing by preshot numbers. We don't change the dose based on the preshot number, but rather the nadirs, or how low the dose is taking the kitty. On SLGS, you are supposed to do a curve every week, or at least have enough random spot checks to gather the data a curve would get you. I didn't see any curves in 2018 on the SS.

Second point, really a question, how much testing will your husband be doing while you are gone? You might want to think about a reduced dose to keep him safe if DH will be testing even less. That's what we usually suggest for petsitters, depending on the amount of testing being done. It'd be better to always get two shots a day and not have to worry about skipping. Any history of ketones?
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Hi Wendy and Neko, thanks for responding. You're right: I had actually got Angel into remission two years ago when he was first diagnosed, but then he was on prednisolone for his IBD and the diabetes came back. I tried getting him into remission again but what with traveling a lot and my schedule -- plus the fact that it is apparently difficult to achieve a second time 'round -- I gave up, and am now just trying to keep him as healthy as I can (you'll see all the curves etc early mid-2017 and earlier if you scroll up :)).

The good news is Angel's doing really, really well at 15+ years -- healthy and happy and purring and playful -- as long as he gets his meds and insulin and mommy putting up with all the fussing about food and offering some 10 different flavors a day. Mainly I really just need a number to tell my husband: if this is his preshot number, don't shoot! Husband will be testing twice each day -- morning and night only.

He does not have a history of ketones, although I haven't checked for a while (only at his last vet visit). I don't know how to do it since we have 3 kitties and use pine litter. I think I'll get some testing strips at CVS and see if I can get a reading (if I can quickly go and get a reading right after he pees).

Thank you. Any advice on a good, safe preshot number would be appreciated. On my last four trips I've had a vet tech come in -- she was using a human meter and was asked not to shoot below 150. I'm just looking for a similar number to give my husband on the AT.
 
Correction: I just noticed that the Bayer Contour Next sample size is .6 ul and the Alpha Trak's is .3 ul. I had thought the Bayer was .3 too.
 
Angel's mommie said:
think I'll get some testing strips at CVS and see if I can get a reading (if I can quickly go and get a reading right after he pees).
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I would stalk George, then when he headed for a pee, usually in the morning after his breakfast,I'd wait for him to go into the LB, scooch a ladle/large spoon under him mid pee, and grab a sample.
 
The relion Wal-Mart brand meters Confirm and the Micro both take the .3 size drop. They code automatically when new bottle of strips is started.

If you want an easy way to test ketones, there are combo ketone/glucose meters. Strips are very expensive but each condition is tested separately. So you can use it just for ketones. It will give you another backup should you need a glucose meter.
 
Gill & George said:
I would stalk George, then when he headed for a pee, usually in the morning after his breakfast,I'd wait for him to go into the LB, scooch a ladle/large spoon under him mid pee, and grab a sample.
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Lol. I'm going to try. Angel is a rescue and scared of EVERYTHING, tho, and acts like' OMG they caught me using the litterbox that always makes them mad RUNNNNN :nailbiting::nailbiting::nailbiting:' every time I wander near the litter box when he's using it. Maybe I'll put out a non-covered litterbox for some days and try.
 
Olive & Paula said:
The relion Wal-Mart brand meters Confirm and the Micro both take the .3 size drop. They code automatically when new bottle of strips is started.

If you want an easy way to test ketones, there are combo ketone/glucose meters. Strips are very expensive but each condition is tested separately. So you can use it just for ketones. It will give you another backup should you need a glucose meter.
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Cool. Thanks for the info, Olive and Paula. Much appreciated. I'm going to go see what CVS has. I already have 4 glucose meters, lol, so maybe will just get one for ketones.
 
Are the ketone test meters the same for cats and humans? And can you test for ketones using blood, or does it have to be urine?
 
Olive & Paula said:
Here is one. Scroll through site and see if they offer the meter with just ketone strips. They had one not long ago when I got mine.

https://www.adwdiabetes.com/product/3401/nova-max-plus-glucose-ketone-meter-kit

This is the other brand. Google to see if you can get cheaper. Wal-Mart is out of stock but it is cheaper there.

https://abbottstore.com/precision-xtra-blood-glucose-ketone-monitoring-system-1-pack-9881465.html
Click to expand...

Thanks so much, Olive and Paula! This is very useful. Am getting it.
 
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