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Best glucometer for cat?
Hi everybody,
I've read some old threads about this, but with new glucometers always on the market I thought I'd ask again. My cat, Rusty, spent the night in the ER vet's because he went extremely hypoglycemic yesterday (20). He's still in the regulation stage and has been taking a rather large dose of ultralente insulin. Anyway, I think in the future I am going to need to know more than just a "Negative" urine test. I need to know how low. So those of you who use glucometers on a cat, what kind do you like? Thanks, Amanda |
"Amanda Robin" wrote in message ... Hi everybody, I've read some old threads about this, but with new glucometers always on the market I thought I'd ask again. My cat, Rusty, spent the night in the ER vet's because he went extremely hypoglycemic yesterday (20). He's still in the regulation stage and has been taking a rather large dose of ultralente insulin. Anyway, I think in the future I am going to need to know more than just a "Negative" urine test. I need to know how low. So those of you who use glucometers on a cat, what kind do you like? Thanks, Amanda Fortunately, I have never had to use glucometer for a cat, but I know there are others on this group who will respond. However, I may still have a bit of input that could help you because *I* was recently diagnosed as diabetic. I am using the FreeStyle glucometer (manufactured by TheraSense). It is very easy to use and requires only a tiny drop of blood for testing. You can also easily download results to your computer (using a cable sold by TheraSense for $19.99), and you can configure the software to use whatever "high" and "low" readings are appropriate. It takes only seconds to download test results, and the software will flag abnormal readings -- and maintain a history for continuous evaluation. TheraSense also manufactures FreeStyle Flash. This supposedly is the smallest meter on the market, and I think it includes a cable for downloading. MaryL |
"Amanda Robin" wrote in message ... Hi everybody, I've read some old threads about this, but with new glucometers always on the market I thought I'd ask again. My cat, Rusty, spent the night in the ER vet's because he went extremely hypoglycemic yesterday (20). He's still in the regulation stage and has been taking a rather large dose of ultralente insulin. Anyway, I think in the future I am going to need to know more than just a "Negative" urine test. I need to know how low. So those of you who use glucometers on a cat, what kind do you like? Thanks, Amanda Fortunately, I have never had to use glucometer for a cat, but I know there are others on this group who will respond. However, I may still have a bit of input that could help you because *I* was recently diagnosed as diabetic. I am using the FreeStyle glucometer (manufactured by TheraSense). It is very easy to use and requires only a tiny drop of blood for testing. You can also easily download results to your computer (using a cable sold by TheraSense for $19.99), and you can configure the software to use whatever "high" and "low" readings are appropriate. It takes only seconds to download test results, and the software will flag abnormal readings -- and maintain a history for continuous evaluation. TheraSense also manufactures FreeStyle Flash. This supposedly is the smallest meter on the market, and I think it includes a cable for downloading. MaryL |
We use the Bayer Elite system--very easy to use since it "sucks up"
the blood from the cat's ear rather than having to try and get a large droplet that needs to land just in the right spot on the strip. Amaretto has been diabetic for almost 4 years--and is managing just fine! We'd be happy to answer any other questions! PegNDerek On Wed, 18 Aug 2004 12:18:52 GMT, Amanda Robin wrote: Hi everybody, I've read some old threads about this, but with new glucometers always on the market I thought I'd ask again. My cat, Rusty, spent the night in the ER vet's because he went extremely hypoglycemic yesterday (20). He's still in the regulation stage and has been taking a rather large dose of ultralente insulin. Anyway, I think in the future I am going to need to know more than just a "Negative" urine test. I need to know how low. So those of you who use glucometers on a cat, what kind do you like? Thanks, Amanda "Scientists' say intelligent life sprang from the sea. Really intelligent life returns to the sea now and then." |
We use the Bayer Elite system--very easy to use since it "sucks up"
the blood from the cat's ear rather than having to try and get a large droplet that needs to land just in the right spot on the strip. Amaretto has been diabetic for almost 4 years--and is managing just fine! We'd be happy to answer any other questions! PegNDerek On Wed, 18 Aug 2004 12:18:52 GMT, Amanda Robin wrote: Hi everybody, I've read some old threads about this, but with new glucometers always on the market I thought I'd ask again. My cat, Rusty, spent the night in the ER vet's because he went extremely hypoglycemic yesterday (20). He's still in the regulation stage and has been taking a rather large dose of ultralente insulin. Anyway, I think in the future I am going to need to know more than just a "Negative" urine test. I need to know how low. So those of you who use glucometers on a cat, what kind do you like? Thanks, Amanda "Scientists' say intelligent life sprang from the sea. Really intelligent life returns to the sea now and then." |
PegNDerek wrote:
We use the Bayer Elite system--very easy to use since it "sucks up" the blood from the cat's ear rather than having to try and get a large droplet that needs to land just in the right spot on the strip. My cat was diagnosed in January, and I use a Bayer (Ascensia) Elite, too. The strips are a little cheaper than some of the other models that also use a small volume and suck up the blood. The LifeScan One Touch Ultra is also popular. -- jamie ) "There's a seeker born every minute." |
PegNDerek wrote:
We use the Bayer Elite system--very easy to use since it "sucks up" the blood from the cat's ear rather than having to try and get a large droplet that needs to land just in the right spot on the strip. My cat was diagnosed in January, and I use a Bayer (Ascensia) Elite, too. The strips are a little cheaper than some of the other models that also use a small volume and suck up the blood. The LifeScan One Touch Ultra is also popular. -- jamie ) "There's a seeker born every minute." |
"Amanda Robin" wrote in message ... Hi everybody, I've read some old threads about this, but with new glucometers always on the market I thought I'd ask again. The most accurate hand-held glucometer you can buy is the Accu-Chek II meter. I've compared several meters to my Beckman bench glucose analyzer (the most accurate glucose analyzer there is), and the Accu-Check II was the most accurate and consistant. My cat, Rusty, spent the night in the ER vet's because he went extremely hypoglycemic yesterday (20). He's still in the regulation stage and has been taking a rather large dose of ultralente insulin. Ultralente is unpredictable in many cats. I've had the best luck with regular and lente insulin, and PZI in cats that are difficult to regulate on human insulin. Anyway, I think in the future I am going to need to know more than just a "Negative" urine test. I need to know how low. Urine glucose monitoring has some very serious limitations for cats. For one, a "negative" dipstick doesn't let you know if the cat is hypoglycemic - the sticks don't go below "negative". Second; cats have a high renal threshold that can vary from 200 mg/dl to 290 mg/dl. So, a "negative" stick could mean the cat is regulated or not regulated and is still hyperglycemic. Third: The urine in the bladder is an accumulation of urine over several hours, so the reading you get does not represent urine glucose at the time its tested. Fourth: There's a lag time between hyperglycemia and glucosuria. IOW, it could take several hours before hyperglycemia shows up in the urine. Dipsticks are good for detecting ketones in the urine (ketonuria) which can lead to ketoacidosis. Blood glucose testing is much more accurate than urine glucose. Here's how you check a cat's blood glucose: http://maxshouse.com/bgtest.rm The bottom line is that most cats can be regulated and diabetic many cats have very good quality of life; in some cats, the process of regulation might involve a bit more work - but its well worth the extra effort. Good luck, Phil |
"Amanda Robin" wrote in message ... Hi everybody, I've read some old threads about this, but with new glucometers always on the market I thought I'd ask again. The most accurate hand-held glucometer you can buy is the Accu-Chek II meter. I've compared several meters to my Beckman bench glucose analyzer (the most accurate glucose analyzer there is), and the Accu-Check II was the most accurate and consistant. My cat, Rusty, spent the night in the ER vet's because he went extremely hypoglycemic yesterday (20). He's still in the regulation stage and has been taking a rather large dose of ultralente insulin. Ultralente is unpredictable in many cats. I've had the best luck with regular and lente insulin, and PZI in cats that are difficult to regulate on human insulin. Anyway, I think in the future I am going to need to know more than just a "Negative" urine test. I need to know how low. Urine glucose monitoring has some very serious limitations for cats. For one, a "negative" dipstick doesn't let you know if the cat is hypoglycemic - the sticks don't go below "negative". Second; cats have a high renal threshold that can vary from 200 mg/dl to 290 mg/dl. So, a "negative" stick could mean the cat is regulated or not regulated and is still hyperglycemic. Third: The urine in the bladder is an accumulation of urine over several hours, so the reading you get does not represent urine glucose at the time its tested. Fourth: There's a lag time between hyperglycemia and glucosuria. IOW, it could take several hours before hyperglycemia shows up in the urine. Dipsticks are good for detecting ketones in the urine (ketonuria) which can lead to ketoacidosis. Blood glucose testing is much more accurate than urine glucose. Here's how you check a cat's blood glucose: http://maxshouse.com/bgtest.rm The bottom line is that most cats can be regulated and diabetic many cats have very good quality of life; in some cats, the process of regulation might involve a bit more work - but its well worth the extra effort. Good luck, Phil |
Here are some links for you on testing your cat, including movies
and photos, and some other feline diabetes links. LeMieux gets a little bit annoyed at having his ear held and warmed before the test, but has never seemed to notice being pricked by an UtraFine lancet. The first thing you'll want to do is get a good look at your cat's ears to familiarize yourself with where the vein runs around the edge, shining a small flashlight through the ear if he has dark fur or you can't see it on the inside. At first, I rubbed a little dab of Vaseline into his ear to help the blood bead up above the fur, but I seemed to get the knack of hitting close to or on the little vein pretty quickly, and didn't need the Vaseline because he easily bled a drop about twice as large as needed for the test. Home Testing of Blood Glucose for Diabetic Cats By Margie Scherk DVM, ABVP (home testing movie, Windows Media or Realplayer) http://www.veterinarypartner.com/con...&S=O&C=O&A=605 Harry's Home Testing Page - (good close-up photos) http://www.sugarcats.net/sites/harry/bgtest.htm Punkin's Home Testing Movie - http://tlb.best.vwh.net/bg_punkin/test_bg.html VSPN discussion on Home Testing - http://www.vspn.org/Library/Rounds/VSPN_LC011209.htm DVM the Newsmagazine of Veterinary Medicine At Home Diabetes Management - http://www.dvmnewsmagazine.com/dvm/a...l.jsp?id=13315 Blood Glucose Monitoring - http://www.dvmnewsmagazine.com/dvm/a...il.jsp?id=5336 Feline Diabetes http://www.felinediabetes.com/index.html Pet Diabetes http://www.petdiabetes.org/ Frugal Feline Diabetes site http://www.sugarcats.net/sites/jmpeerson/frugal.html -- jamie ) "There's a seeker born every minute." |
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