Veterinarian Meter or Store bought

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Erica Ann

Member Since 2018
My cat Yoko is in severe condition--unable to move any limbs from neuropathy and losing weight like crazy--I will post more info later, but right now our need to get a hold on her blood sugars is critical.

My vet is ordering a glucometer for us, but I have to wait. Is it okay to use a store bought one? If so, is there a recommended one? Or since she is in such critical condition should I just use the vet one to be safe?

Thank you!

PS> If you could post a link as far as where to start with this at home testing stuff, I would love that. There is so much info and I need to decipher all of this and learn this quickly because in the meantime she is wasting into nothing (and I promise that is NOT dramatic)
 
Here is the link to how to home test. It often takes a few days to be really comfortable with testing and to get the ears to bleed well but you will get there.....we all started scared and needing support. Follow the direction on how to make Yoko comfortable with the testing. Sheba used to come running when she heard me getout the testing things as she knew she would get a small treat.
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/hometesting-links-and-tips.287/

I am not in the US so am not up with all the human meters available there but as I said in the intro page, most of us use the human meters.

Here is a link to FAQ you might like to look through
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/health-links-faqs-about-feline-diabetes.14/
I know you are very worried about Yoko but hang in there......we can help you.
What has the vet said about Yoks's front legs not working properly.....that is more unusual with neuropathy as far as I am aware?
 
I use a pet meter ($50 for a starter kit on amazon for the alphatrak... make sure your vet is not over charging you). Since alpha strips are expensive I also use Freestyle Insulinx strips.

If you are feeding dry or high carb, switch to low carb food such as fancy feast classic or Friskies pate or Tikicat.

I have a video in my signature showing how I test my cat CC at home. Click the link.
 
JanetNJ said:
I use a pet meter ($50 for a starter kit on amazon for the alphatrak... make sure your vet is not over charging you). Since alpha strips are expensive I also use Freestyle Insulinx strips.

If you are feeding dry or high carb, switch to low carb food such as fancy feast classic or Friskies pate or Tikicat.

I have a video in my signature showing how I test my cat CC at home. Click the link.
Click to expand...
I recommend this method if you are going to use a pet meter. I am thinking your vet probably ordered you the AlphaTrak. If so, no worries you can still use it with the strips that Janet recommended.

I know all this is a lot to take in. The best thing to do is make a plan - a step-wise plan to tackle it. At least that's what works for me. :) Lists, calendars, etc. All those things helped me stay organized. <3
 
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JanetNJ said:
I use a pet meter ($50 for a starter kit on amazon for the alphatrak... make sure your vet is not over charging you). Since alpha strips are expensive I also use Freestyle Insulinx strips.

If you are feeding dry or high carb, switch to low carb food such as fancy feast classic or Friskies pate or Tikicat.

I have a video in my signature showing how I test my cat CC at home. Click the link.
Click to expand...

I switched her to the fancy feast classic pate, thank you! Getting a freestyle precision neo tonight because it is the one that is most easily available to us at this time, but will switch to a veternarian one if it ends up being highly recommended.

Thank you for the link. I have to figure all of this out tonight, so that I can get started. I am a slow rader an overwhelme trying to do all the research with two little ones en route, so i appreciate the direct links. Very helpful!
 
Ana & Frosty (GA) said:
I recommend this method if you are going to use a pet meter. I am thinking your vet probably ordered you the AlphaTrak. If so, no worries you can still use it with the strips that Janet recommended.

I know all this is a lot to take in. The best thing to do is make a plan - a step-wise plan to tackle it. At least that's what works for me. :) Lists, calendars, etc. All those things helped me stay organized. <3
Click to expand...


Thank you so much. Those tips are o helpful.

M husband ran out to get a regular one tonight since it seems like that is okay. He is getting the freestyle precision neo, since it was pretty much the highest on the consumer reports out of what was available at walmart tonight.

Do you think that is okay, or should i switch to alphatrack when it come in? Should I even bother starting testing or just wait for the pet one?
 
Ana & Frosty (GA) said:
.
I know all this is a lot to take in. The best thing to do is make a plan - a step-wise plan to tackle it. At least that's what works for me. :) Lists, calendars, etc. All those things helped me stay organized. <3
Click to expand...

I agree with @Ana & Frosty (GA) . I would have a "to do" list and tick off as you get each thing in place and a second daily list of things you need to do such as test, feed and shoot, how much eaten, check hydration, check for ketones, document blood sugar levels, number of pees a day, amount of water drunk etc.

I have the freestyle Neo meter....it is very reliable. You can have the pet meter as a back up one.
 
Erica Ann said:
Thank you so much. Those tips are o helpful.

M husband ran out to get a regular one tonight since it seems like that is okay. He is getting the freestyle precision neo, since it was pretty much the highest on the consumer reports out of what was available at walmart tonight.

Do you think that is okay, or should i switch to alphatrack when it come in? Should I even bother starting testing or just wait for the pet one?
Click to expand...

So I initially used a cheap one from wall-mart while I gathered the funds and waited for the AlphaTrak to arrive. The human meters are calibrated for human blood and tend to read lower in cats. HOWEVER, the most important thing is to look is trends, not necessarily the exact numbers, especially in the beginning. If she is, say, at 300 mg/dl on human meter and 400 mg/dl on a pet meter, we know that she's higher than we would like. Either way, that information is helpful. In the stickies in the Lantus/Basalgar forum , you will read about goals for glucose. The goals will slightly vary depending on the meter you will use, as well as the protocol you are going to follow.
 
Bron and Sheba said:
I agree with @Ana & Frosty (GA) . I would have a "to do" list and tick off as you get each thing in place and a second daily list of things you need to do such as test, feed and shoot, how much eaten, check hydration, check for ketones, document blood sugar levels, number of pees a day, amount of water drunk etc.

I have the freestyle Neo meter....it is very reliable. You can have the pet meter as a back up one.
Click to expand...
Thank you!!
 
Erica Ann said:
Thank you so much. Those tips are o helpful.

M husband ran out to get a regular one tonight since it seems like that is okay. He is getting the freestyle precision neo, since it was pretty much the highest on the consumer reports out of what was available at walmart tonight.

Do you think that is okay, or should i switch to alphatrack when it come in? Should I even bother starting testing or just wait for the pet one?
Click to expand...
That's fine. In addition to the meter tell him to get 28 gauge lancets and cotton cosmetic rounds to go behind the ear.
 
The other thing you'll want to do is order Zobaline tablets from Amazon. It's b12 methylcobalamin supplements that, in addition to better bg levels, will help with the neuropathy
 
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