? What to do with Freestyle Libre Issues?

[Javier and Leo]

Our last Freestyle Libre sensor stopped working after 5 days, completely dead. We bought a new one and had to go to the vet again to replace it.

The new sensor started working perfectly for the first two days, but now it stops measuring during the day. It's very irregular, it stops for a few hours, then comes back to measuring just fine, but many times the app stops showing a curve.

Has anyone encountered issues with the Freestyle Libre like this? Is it because the cat is growing the fur back when the sensor was placed?

We have the AlphaTrak2 now as an alternative, also knowing that the Libre is not forever. Any tips on how to use deal with Freestyle Libre issues are appreciated.

Thank you!

 

[Larry and Kitties]

Where are the sensors being attached? Is there a lot of tissue under the sensor?
Are they being covered?
Is Leo scratching the sensor?
Was the sensor loose/partially coming off when they stopped working?

What I found out is that your need a place that has little movement and where there is a lot of tissue under the sensor. The sensor for my Badger's sensor lasted 14 days and was applied to the neck are and was covered. With my Wiggles I only got 9 days each. I attached this also to the neck area and covered them. Wiggles is skinny and there was not much tissue under the sensor.

 

[Beanie071]

I have been using the Libre for awhile now and they can been a little temperamental. I have had glitchy ones before, that sometime create breaks in the curve, but as long as it is reading and collecting I think that's the most important part. Are you scanning with a reader, your phone, or both? I only ask because I have both and I learned if I start the sensor off with a reader and then use my phone it tends to glitch out and does weird things to my graphs.

Sometimes as they lift its harder to get readings I know I always get error messages to try again in 10 mind as soon as it starts to loosen. If you are having trouble keeping the monitor attached I use this stuff called Skin Tac you can get on Amazon. Its a hypoallergenic adhesive barrier that creates a tacky surface on the skin and allows the monitor to adhere better. It is a game changer for sure I always get the whole 14 days out of the monitor with Hurley.

 

[Javier and Leo]

@Larry and Kitties: The sensor is in his dorsal. The sensor doesn't look loose nor shows signs of coming off. When they changed the last faulty sensor, the nurse said that it looked ok. Leo is not scratching the sensor. It's not covered with anything.

@Beanie071: did you put the sensor on Hurley yourself? Not sure how I would use the adhesive at home when there is an adhesive in place already.

The sensor was actually started with the phone app, which made the actual Freestyle device unusable for this sensor

 

[Beanie071]

@Larry and Kitties: The sensor is in his dorsal. The sensor doesn't look loose nor shows signs of coming off. When they changed the last faulty sensor, the nurse said that it looked ok. Leo is not scratching the sensor. It's not covered with anything.

@Beanie071: did you put the sensor on Hurley yourself? Not sure how I would use the adhesive at home when there is an adhesive in place already.

The sensor was actually started with the phone app, which made the actual Freestyle device unusable for this sensor

Yes I have been putting it on myself because Hurley was diagnosed with diabetes in September and he is special case and is having a hard time being regulated. The vet charges me a application fee with everytime he needs a new sensor with that cost and the cost of the monitor it just seemed alot to me. The vet originally tried the skin tac first and once we got it down I started to apply myself as long as your making sure it in the muscle area of the neck. In the beginning Hurley had a hard time keeping the monitor on. The skin tac can only be used when actually applying the monitor. After your pet has been shaved and sterilized you apply the skin tac and then you let it get tacky, and that's when you apply the Libre like normal. It creates a great seal and no lifting. I also purchased the skin tac removal wipes because the seal is so good that I need that to break down the adhesive to remove the monitor. It's amazing if you have issues keeping the monitor on.

As for the reader vs phone it is good you are just using your phone if you like the information on hand. I start the sensor with the reader and then can still scan with my phone. Using both like I said doesnt work to well. I have had monitors that get a little glitchy, I know the Free Style website will replace faulty monitors so it does happen, but since your using it on a pet I'm doubt they will replace it. I just think you had some bad luck. Another tip I can suggest is signing into the Libre View website this allows you to see what the Vet sees. You can see if the monitor is transferring data properly as well and it's a nice tool because it keeps all of your data from every monitor you use. Hope this is somewhat helpful.

 

[Larry and Kitties]

The sensor is in his dorsal.

That wouod mean right on top of the spin. Is that where it realy was? You want a place that has little movement when the cat moves. If a cat is "fat" thee are a lot more acceptable places than on a skinny cat.
Could the cat be knocking the snsor something? I had a sensor left over and I attached it to my arm as they said. It was waterproof as they said since I swam with it w/o problems. However, I kept knocking it against door jams it it only lasted 4 days.

 

[Luxe]

That happened to mine both times. First time only worked for 2 days the second worked for 8 days but a couple days prior it was showing really choppy graphs with chunks missing and like 90% of the time it told me to try again in 10minutes. He probably was starting to bump at it and the sensor was getting bent or moved. First time it was too close to his shoulder blade so they said the movement when he walked was messing it up. We're getting a 3rd one on friday just so i can better track his overnights now that hes had his dental surgery. Hoping i get a week out of it for how much it costs at my vet (220$)

 

[Susan & Andy]

That happened to mine both times. First time only worked for 2 days the second worked for 8 days but a couple days prior it was showing really choppy graphs with chunks missing and like 90% of the time it told me to try again in 10minutes. He probably was starting to bump at it and the sensor was getting bent or moved. First time it was too close to his shoulder blade so they said the movement when he walked was messing it up. We're getting a 3rd one on friday just so i can better track his overnights now that hes had his dental surgery. Hoping i get a week out of it for how much it costs at my vet (220$)

Oh my goodness! My vet wrote me a prescription for the Freestyle Libre, and I took it to Walmart. You can use GoodRx and get a sensor for $35!