Hi, we're new here :)

Hi I'm Lio, and this is our furry little pal Afakasi, or Kasi for short.


Kasi is 11 and was diagnosed with diabetes approx 2 months ago. I'm hoping there are others from New Zealand on here, as I have some queries about equipment (home testing) etc that are available here in NZ.

We're in the early stages of learning about feline diabetes, glad I just found this place!

 

Welcome to you and your very cute kitty, Kasi! We can certainly help you. @Bron and Sheba is in Australia and might be able to advise. Please repost on the main health forum where more people will see your message.

 

Hi Lio and Kasi. Welcome to the forum. Kasi is gorgeous!!
Waving to you from Sydney!
Below is the Glucometer I use. The Abbott Freestyle Optium.There is also a newer version called the Optium Neo which I have not used but I'm sure it is OK. I have also put in the link to that. Am sure you can buy in NZ. Or you could get posted from Aus. You use the same strips for both meters.

Freestyle Optium Glucometer
https://www.terrywhitechemists.com..../id/42702/?utm_source=getprice&utm_medium=cpc

Freestyle Optium Neo Glucometer
http://pharmacycentral.com.au/abbot...m_source=getprice&utm_medium=cpc#.WHFuess8ahA

Here is another Optium Neo Meter cheaper on eBay
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/FREESTYL...879c131&pid=100005&rk=1&rkt=6&sd=181682283855

These are the strips you would need to go with either of the above meters. I buy mine on eBay. They are half the price of the chemist ones. This is the person I usually buy from...she is reliable. Hopefully will post to NZ.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/FAST-FRE...707240?hash=item4b0e9cd868:g:eHQAAOSw37tV9Aw5

There is also a meter called the Accu Chek which I believe is good but I have not used it. You need to check the prices of the strips of any meter you buy as it is the strips that will cost you the most money, not the meter.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Accu-Che...c24a669a5ed299254d7f75&pid=100642&rk=1&rkt=1&

If I can help with anything else please just ask or tag me.

 

Just wanted to add .....don't get the Abbott Freestyle Lite meter as I have heard it may not be accurate. The other Abbott meters are good.

 

@Bron and Sheba -

Do you know whether the Optium Neo available down there can be used to also check blood ketone levels? (I've got an Optium Neo and it can be used to check both glucose and ketone levels with the appropriate strips.)


Mogs
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Hi Mogs...Yes it can be used to test both. Here is a link to ours here
https://myfreestyle.com.au/products/freestyle-optium-neo-blood-glucose-ketone-monitoring-system/

 

@Bron and Sheba

Hi and thanks for the warm welcome .

Thanks for the info re the Glucometer that you use. I'll have a look around over here and see if they are available.

These seem to be the most readily available meters available where I live: http://www.caresens.co.nz/ I found a feline diabetes site the sells and recommends that brand also: https://www.catsanddiabetes.com/products-page/

Wondering if anyone here has experience with the Caresens brand? It would make it easier for me to get one of those as they are cheap here, and so are the supplies.

Should I post this query in the main forum as well?

 

That brand looks fine although I don't know it. If the feline people recommend it , it must be OK. I like the idea of the starter kit. Including the ketostix is great as it is good to test for ketones.
Before you commit, find out how much the test strips are. That will be one of your biggest costs and you don't want to be paying much more than $30 a box of 100 for them.
Can you tell us a few things about Kasi please?
What insulin and dose he is on.
What you are feeding him.
What his weight is.
Yes it would be a good idea to post now in the main forum as this is really just a welcome page. More eyes there too. Just copy and paste this condo to your new one on main health so people will know what is happening and you won't get asked the same questions again.
It's great you are wanting to help Kasi!

 

Cool thanks so much, I've posted a new thread in the main forum with additional info about Kasi.

 

Thanks for the info, Bron.




Mogs
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