Have just spent the last 2 days testing and re-testing my diabetic cat because suddenly he was getting low readings on my glucose monitor. So low, in fact, that I did not give him any insulin Wednesday night and went running to the vet Thursday morning for his overdue fructosamine test. His usual 4 units of lantus would have sent him into the red zone. I usually test once a week but have been occasionally lax because dealing with Cocheezie takes up so much time and energy.
The strips (FreeStyle Lite) have an expiry date of Sept 2014.
Today, knowing that these strips were about to expire, I went out and picked up a new box of strips. And knowing that the vet would be calling around 6 pm, I did a reading at 5pm. With the old strips, I got a reading of 12.3 (which I think in feline diabetic forums is read as 123). With the new strips, I got a reading of 22.0 (220), which is about right for a diabetic cat who had no insulin Wednesday night, Thursday morning, a half-dose of insulin Thursday night and none this morning.
Just talked to the vet and his fructosamine level came back at 336 (good, close to the excellent range which is 360 and lower). It was the expiring strips that caused all this ruckus, and a cat with a very sore ear.
Just to be on the safe side, I'm going to give him 3 units of lantus twice a day and continue to monitor for a few days before I go back up to 4 units. If I have a day of being at home all day (Sunday or Monday I hope), I'll do a proper glucose curve.
For all you diabetic cat owners out there, please check the expiry date on your glucose strips.
The strips (FreeStyle Lite) have an expiry date of Sept 2014.
Today, knowing that these strips were about to expire, I went out and picked up a new box of strips. And knowing that the vet would be calling around 6 pm, I did a reading at 5pm. With the old strips, I got a reading of 12.3 (which I think in feline diabetic forums is read as 123). With the new strips, I got a reading of 22.0 (220), which is about right for a diabetic cat who had no insulin Wednesday night, Thursday morning, a half-dose of insulin Thursday night and none this morning.
Just talked to the vet and his fructosamine level came back at 336 (good, close to the excellent range which is 360 and lower). It was the expiring strips that caused all this ruckus, and a cat with a very sore ear.
Just to be on the safe side, I'm going to give him 3 units of lantus twice a day and continue to monitor for a few days before I go back up to 4 units. If I have a day of being at home all day (Sunday or Monday I hope), I'll do a proper glucose curve.
For all you diabetic cat owners out there, please check the expiry date on your glucose strips.
