How to test a diabetic cat's blood sugar?

Question

My cat was just diagnosed with diabetes. I'm also diabetic and test my sugar level throughout the day using a glucometer. I haven't spoken with the vet yet, but does anyone know if you can even test a cat's sugar by yourself without having to go/pay for the vet?

The insulin is really expensive and I'm trying to do the best that I can. Visiting the vet every few weeks is something that I just can't afford, no matter how much I'd love to. Is this the only way to tell if the insulin is the correct amount? How would you even know if it was making the cat hypoglycemic? Thank you.

Answer 1

I have two former diabetic cats residing here in my house. You can test a cat's blood sugar with the meter that you use for yourself. You do not need to get the AlphaTrack veterinary one - it is nothing but a glorified human meter that costs a heck of a lot to buy and has very expensive strips. For example, I use the Wal-Mart brand Reli-On Ultra meter for my kitties... it works just fine. You also do not need to go in for regular glucose curves or fructosamine testing if you test at home. It may take some education for your vet to agree though... not all realize that you can accurately test at home.

Some cats do well having their blood sugar tested right away and some take a bit more time to get comfortable. If they are used to being handled, it will be easier going at first. You want to start out by having all of your supplies together...
-washcloth wet with very warm water, sealed inside of a ziploc bag so the bag is dry on the outside
-meter
-test strip out of the packaging
-lancet and lancet pen if you want to use a pen
-folded tissue, cotton ball, or cosmetic pad (whatever you have around)
-low carb kitty treat (if you don't have anything like freeze-dried chicken or liver treats, a tiny bit of boiled chicken or delimeat that has no sugar added is good)

First off, you want to learn where the vein is in your kitty's ear. A tiny vein runs around the outside edge of the ear, probably about 1/8" from the edge. Your goal spot for lancing is between that vein and the edge of the ear. If you have trouble seeing it, you might be helped by shining a flashlight through your cats ear, it can make it easier to see. That area has few nerve endings and my cats have never had a problem with me lancing their ears... it doesn't seem to hurt them.

The next thing you want to do is warm your kitty's ear. That's what the warm wet washcloth in a bag is for. Some folks use a rice sock that they nuke in the microwave, but it takes a bit of planning to put one together so I think the washcloth is easier to use at the beginning - just make certain that it isn't uncomfortably hot. Put the washcloth in the bag on the ear and rub it until it feels warm. I usually rub my cats ears only in the direction of the tip of the ear so I can kind of milk the blood supply to the tip to be ready for lancing.

Once the ear is warm, make certain that you have the test strip ready for blood to be put on BEFORE YOU LANCE. Some cats are startled by the clicking of a lancet pen, so while you can try it, some do better if you freehand with just the lancet or the lancet in the pen without the cap on. I use my folded tissue (or cotton ball or cosmetic pad) on the inside of the ear so I don't poke my finger as I lance their ear. Once you lance and start to get a blood drop, you need to have a good grip on that ear. My two have the tendency to shake their heads once the blood drop forms and you need to hold on tight until you get it on the strip because you can easily lose that drop of blood. Get it on the strip and voila! you should have a glucose reading for your kitty!

The normal range of blood sugar for cats is 40-120... just so you know, when you get a reading. I use my folded tissue to put pressure on the ear for about 10 seconds so that they don't end up with a little bit of a bruise. I offer a treat once we're done and praise like they are the best kitty on the planet.

Don't be discouraged if it doesn't work the first time. Some cats take a bit of practice until they are comfortable being handled in that way. Some get so comfortable over time that they actually will come running to get tested - my two cats fight over who gets to go first because they don't mind it at all!

Do try to visit the website below and post on the forums... the folks there are incredibly helpful and will be of great value and support for you with your diabetic cat!

Answer 2

Usually the first couple of months after a cat is diagnosed as diabetic are the ones that seemingly the ones where your cat is taken to the vet every other week. Once the correct insulin amounts are found out, then it's about once every 3 months that the cat should need to come in.

My cat has been diabetic for over 2 years. Not only did we have problems regulating her, but also find the correct insulin. There's three to choose from and for us, the third one was the charm. What a pain in the butt though for her and for me.

I don't believe there is a way for you to get the blood yourself from your cat, it's not like they have a finger to prick. Every time we go, the tech needs to get the blood from the leg or her neck, with a syringe, something I don't want to do even if I could. Not on my own pet.

Yes, the only way to tell if the insulin is in the correct amount is to go get the blood tested 6 to 8 hours after the initial shot. If it's too high or too low, then the doctor knows the dosage needs to be changed. It can take a while, but once it's done it's done. Then once every three months or so to just be sure.

I get my insulin(PZI) through Petmeds. They're great, and a lot cheaper than the vet's office, even with the $17.95 shipping (it has to be shipped refrigerated). You can check their website out to see if you'll be saving money. They have the syringes on there too, but it's cheaper to get those at my vet's office.

My cat is doing great, she's never had any problems with hyper or hypoglycemia and is doing fine in all health aspects.

Good luck

Answer 3

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Answer 4

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Answer 5

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RE:
How to test a diabetic cat's blood sugar?
My cat was just diagnosed with diabetes. I'm also diabetic and test my sugar level throughout the day using a glucometer. I haven't spoken with the vet yet, but does anyone know if you can even test a cat's sugar by yourself without having to go/pay for the vet?

The insulin is really...

Answer 6

First of all, don't start blaming yourself. You have taken her to the vet for a diagnosis, and that is the right thing to do. A blood and urine test will narrow down the problems she could have. If she is eating a lot, but not gaining weight, it certainly seems like thyroid related. And drinking water a lot if also a sign of diabetes. Thyroid problems are relatively easy to manage. If it is diabetes, don't fret all that much. If really is not that difficult to manage. Normally cats can sense that you are trying to help them, and if you need to handle her daily, you will need to work out some way of making that rewarding for her. Right now, monthly flea medications are not rewarding, as she sees it. No, I am not a vet, and really, no one can diagnose from a distance. But once your vet has a diagnosis, there are support groups to help you in more detail, and your vet will have more information.

Answer 7

Yes you can use your glucometer and test the cats levels. We use one at the veterinary clinic I work at. It isn't anything special for animals, it is one for people. However, you need to do glucose curves to find out the insulin level. But as far as just checking, yes, you can use your glucometer. Get someone to hold off on the leg, and get some blood that way. Have a vet. show you the first time how to hold the cat and then you can do it from there on your own.

Something I recently learned from working at a vet... Cats have to ability (OCCASIONALLY!!) to fix the diabetes themselves. Their bodies are able to heal themselves. (Don't skip treatment and hope for this, I just thought it was some interesting information you would like to know.)

Answer 8

Yes, it is now possible for pet owners to accurately check the blood glucose of their companions at home. At our clinic, a feline specialty clinic, we have recently started training our clients with diabetic cats to check their cat's blood glucose at home.

Not all blood glucose meters are created equally. Meters designed for human use are not calibrated to read feline blood accurately. Therefore, it is essential to purchase a meter designed for pet use and able to be calibrated for dogs or cats specifically. The glucometer we use at our clinic and recommend to our clients is Abbott's AlphaTrak. There may be other good meters out there, but this is the one we are most familiar with and have good results with.

Checking the pet's blood glucose at home is ideal because glucose levels are elevated by stress. A trip to the veterinary clinic is extremely stressful for cats and therefore blood glucose levels are almost always elevated - even in non-diabetic cats! Some veterinarians even have glucose curves performed at home by the owner to get more accurate results.

As someone already mentioned, the ear is the easiest place to collect the blood sample and just like in humans, only a tiny drop is needed. The ear is very vascular and bleeds very easily. Only a tiny prick is needed near the margin of the ear. Rub the ear gently between your fingers first to increase circulation, then use one of the lancets that come with the AlphaTrak kit to quickly prick the ear and touch the blood to the side of one of the test strips that have been inserted into the meter. Seconds later, you will have a result!

It is best to have your veterinarian or a trained technician demonstrate for you before trying it yourself, but it really is a simple procedure. Any changes in insulin dosing should still be made by the veterinarian, but the blood glucose results you can provide from home will be invaluable to him/her in making those decisions. Also, if you suspect hypoglycemia, the meter could save your pet's life! Always be sure to have karo syrup on hand when caring for a diabetic pet!

The link below is for Abbott Animal Health's website with info on the AlphaTrak veterinary glucometer.

Good luck to you!

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Answer 10

Nope we use a glucotrend at work to test diabetic cats blood.
You can use the dipsticks in its urine to see what the glucose level in urine is (there should be none), or ask the vet to teach you how to take an intraveneous blood sample or how to prick the ear to get a blood sample for glucometer.
Once your cat is settled into a routine and stabilised you will not need to check the glucose on a daily basis.
If your cat seemes a bit off colour or has vomitted then check levels to see if you need to give insulin or not same as with you.
Its all the same stuff as what your doctor would have told you except cats are hardier and really we never get our clients to check glucose once they are stable

Caninsulin gives out a free booklet for animal owners ask your vet for that if on caninsulin or if on glargine which has proven to reverse the diabetes and cats go into remission, i imagine there would be literature on that too.
Some cats can go into remission so you need to dothe same as for you watch water intake, appetite, wobbly legs ect if see that give glucose in water and take to vet
If you would like anymore info eail me on [e-mail] and I will see what I can find at work to help you out further.

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