911 reliable, inexpensive glucos test meter with inexpensive test strips

I am wondering, because I think I used a vet that doesn't either know much about cat diabetes or doesn't really care, what would be a good meter to buy. The vet prescribed Prozinc and the U-40 test strips, neither of which does he carry, and basically sent me on my way. I asked if I needed a meter and he said oh no need for that just come back in a month and we will run another $200 blood test. I'm low income so that's not really an option and after reading up on all of this it seems that I should be taking his blood before almost every meal or ever meal or something like that but I am at a loss as to which meter to get as all of the posts that I have found are old and outdated which means I need to know the updated version of which meter I can rely on and don't have to spend too much money on. Any help would be greatly appreciated as now I feel as though I better go buy it now and start testing since the vet had me start Trooper (my cat) at 2 units twice a day and for various reasons that could be too much after his glucos levels go down.

 

You mean u40 syringes. try looking on Adwdiabetes.com for the syringes. https://www.adwdiabetes.com/product/18553/ulticare-u40-pet-29g-3-10cc-1-2in-half-unit

These are the ones I use.

These are the lancets I use. 1.19, doesn't get much more affordable.
https://www.adwdiabetes.com/product/8013/trueplus-sterile-lancets-28g-100ct

I don't use ProZinc so someone else will have to help you there. Maybe valleyvet.com?

For meters. Many on here use Walmart brand 1. Relion micro or confirm meter. $18 (not Prime)
2. Box of 100 extra test strips $36
3. Box of 26 or 28 gauge lancets
4. Cotton cosmetic rounds to go behind the ear and protect your fingers
5. Neosporin ointment

 

Could you take the 911 down off your thread? That’s for when a cat is in danger. Scares the board.

 

There was also a recent thread here about the Contour Next meter:

Contour Next BG Monitor - looking for input

The "list price" for the Contour strips is expensive, but they are consistently affordable if you buy on Amazon. Another place to look for affordable strips is Ebay. Many people here use the Relion brand from Walmart because it not only has cheap strips, but (if you have a Walmart near you) strips are available any time day or night if you run out. In terms of reliability, they are all mandated to be accurate within 20%, so they should all be pretty reliable in those terms. You rarely hear of problems using them, although I did just see a post here about a Relion meter "forgetting" readings. I think that's the first I've heard anyone reporting an error like that with the Relions-- lots of people here use that brand and seem happy with them.

 

There are several online pet pharmacys. Valley vet is good, or I use Allvet. I pay $130 for Prozinc at Allvet, including shipping. That lasts us over 3 months. That's $43/month. You can find generic Neosporin and cotton rounds at the $ store. The people here will be happy to give you lot's of money saving tips. Callie has done so well that she hasn't seen the vet since last spring. I spend more on my dogs at the vet than I do for Callie.

 

If you are in the US, another meter that is good and also inexpensive is Walmar Relion brand meters. The Micro and Confirm meters use the least amount of blood and the strips run around $39 for 100. Their lancets are not expensive either. Unfortunately the do not carry the U-40 syringes. There is a way that you can convert the dose from U40 to U100 syringes but someone else that knows how to do it will have to provide that info.

 

Once you start home testing you won't need to bring her to the vet for testing. Saves money. I have a video in my signature showing how I test my cat CC at home.

 

That is true. I have had 4 diabetic cats and the only time any of them were tested at the vet was for the initial diaganosis. Even when any of my civies (non-diabetic cats) had symptoms they might be diabetic I always tested them before taking them to the vet. Then I would know if I needed to have them tested at the vet. In every case they did not have diabetic readings and I did not have to waste money on unnecessary tests.

 

The Walmart Relion brand is pretty reliable. If you keep track of Trooper’s blood sugar readings on a spreadsheet (there are instructions on how to do that on the main page) you don’t have to worry so much about missing results in the memory! I would definitely suggest testing blood sugars before blindly giving insulin. As you’ve noted, vets aren’t always well versed in the treatment of diabetes. I would also head over to the Prozinc forum as they are very helpful and well informed over there as well. Don’t hesitate to ask any questions; everyone here wants to help!