Hi my name is Kay and I live on the NSW Central Coast of Australia. My 16yr old cats diabetes has returned and Vets seem to vary on the BG range also does her test need to be two hours before or after food like humans. I am hoping that I can get the right information on this site also I have read quite a few threads and found them very informative.
What's the best BGL range for 16yr old cat
- Thread starter Kaymac
- Start date
- Status
Elizabeth and Bertie
Member Since 2010
Hi Kay, and welcome!
The normal blood glucose level for a (non-diabetic) cat is approximately, 2.7 - 7.2 mmol (48 - 130 mg/dL); but different sources give slightly different figures. The laboratory my own vet uses gives 8.3 (150) as the top of the normal range. I think different laboratories may measure slightly differently.
We have seen some cats here (non-diabetic, or in remission from their diabetes) for whom blood glucose levels around 2.2 (39) or even lower are the norm (on a human glucose meter).
My own non-diabetics have all usually been around 4 (72) when I've tested them on a human glucose meter.
The pet-specific meter, Alphatrak, may read a little higher than human glucose meters, but may also be closer to the results obtained in a laboratory.
For a non-diabetic cat, or cat in remission, you'd expect to see the blood glucose rise after food, but then drop once the pancreas releases insulin in response to that food. If you experiment a bit; maybe test before feeding, and then an hour later, and then another hour later, you may get an idea of how your kitty's body is working in response to food.
Edited, because I completely misunderstood one of the questions at first...
Eliz
The normal blood glucose level for a (non-diabetic) cat is approximately, 2.7 - 7.2 mmol (48 - 130 mg/dL); but different sources give slightly different figures. The laboratory my own vet uses gives 8.3 (150) as the top of the normal range. I think different laboratories may measure slightly differently.
We have seen some cats here (non-diabetic, or in remission from their diabetes) for whom blood glucose levels around 2.2 (39) or even lower are the norm (on a human glucose meter).
My own non-diabetics have all usually been around 4 (72) when I've tested them on a human glucose meter.
The pet-specific meter, Alphatrak, may read a little higher than human glucose meters, but may also be closer to the results obtained in a laboratory.
For a non-diabetic cat, or cat in remission, you'd expect to see the blood glucose rise after food, but then drop once the pancreas releases insulin in response to that food. If you experiment a bit; maybe test before feeding, and then an hour later, and then another hour later, you may get an idea of how your kitty's body is working in response to food.
Edited, because I completely misunderstood one of the questions at first...
Eliz
Last edited:
Critter Mom
Member Since 2014
Welcome to you and your kitty, Kay.
My vet gave me 3.9 - 8.3 mmol/L as the normal range for a cat's blood glucose levels. These would be the 'actual' values as measured on laboratory equipment.
Pet meters such as the Alphatrak 2 are designed to give readings close to lab values.
Human meters can be used to monitor a diabetic cat's blood glucose levels successfully but because there are biological differences between cats and humans in the way that they transport glucose around the body human meters will register lower values for cats' blood. Therefore one needs to use a different, cat-specific reference range (as mentioned above by Eliz) when using a human meter to monitor a cat.
To determine whether it is safe to give insulin you should remove all food 2 hours before the next insulin dose is due and then do a preshot test to determine fasting blood glucose level before feeding your cat and then administering the insulin (assuming that the preshot level is high enough to give the insulin safely). You need to do preshot tests before each insulin dose, and you also need to get mid-cycle tests to determine how the dose is working and, most importantly, to make sure it is not taking your cat too low. The best time to do mid-cycle checks depends on the insulin you're using. If you let us know which insulin we can guide you better on when to test. In addition to the mid-cycle tests it is advisable to do periodic curves (say, once a week) to establish your cat's pattern of response to the insulin.
Mogs
.
My vet gave me 3.9 - 8.3 mmol/L as the normal range for a cat's blood glucose levels. These would be the 'actual' values as measured on laboratory equipment.
Pet meters such as the Alphatrak 2 are designed to give readings close to lab values.
Human meters can be used to monitor a diabetic cat's blood glucose levels successfully but because there are biological differences between cats and humans in the way that they transport glucose around the body human meters will register lower values for cats' blood. Therefore one needs to use a different, cat-specific reference range (as mentioned above by Eliz) when using a human meter to monitor a cat.
To determine whether it is safe to give insulin you should remove all food 2 hours before the next insulin dose is due and then do a preshot test to determine fasting blood glucose level before feeding your cat and then administering the insulin (assuming that the preshot level is high enough to give the insulin safely). You need to do preshot tests before each insulin dose, and you also need to get mid-cycle tests to determine how the dose is working and, most importantly, to make sure it is not taking your cat too low. The best time to do mid-cycle checks depends on the insulin you're using. If you let us know which insulin we can guide you better on when to test. In addition to the mid-cycle tests it is advisable to do periodic curves (say, once a week) to establish your cat's pattern of response to the insulin.
Mogs
.
Elizabeth and Bertie
Member Since 2010
Hi Mogs, @Critter Mom ,
I was unclear from Kaymac's post whether the kitty was or wasn't on insulin.... My first response was to post info about withholding food a couple of hours before testing blood glucose (prior to the shot) etc, etc. And then I thought I'd completely misunderstood, and the question was about testing cats who aren't on insulin to see how the pancreas is working. So I deleted my original info and wrote something else. Now I read the message again, I think you're right and maybe the kitty is on insulin.... Duh!
At least we've covered all possibilities, ha-ha!
I think I need stronger coffee....
Eliz
I was unclear from Kaymac's post whether the kitty was or wasn't on insulin.... My first response was to post info about withholding food a couple of hours before testing blood glucose (prior to the shot) etc, etc. And then I thought I'd completely misunderstood, and the question was about testing cats who aren't on insulin to see how the pancreas is working. So I deleted my original info and wrote something else. Now I read the message again, I think you're right and maybe the kitty is on insulin.... Duh!
At least we've covered all possibilities, ha-ha!
I think I need stronger coffee....
Eliz
- Status