Hi, Greg. I plan to keep using the AT2 for glucose testing, but I like the fact that I now have a backup available. I may do a few comparison tests here and there to get an idea of the difference between the two.
The info sheet in the vial of ketone strips says that test strips are good 18 months from manufacture and 6 months after first opening. The one in the glucose strips says they expire 6 months after opening vial; I did not see a period of time from manufacture, but the vial I received has an expiration date of 2019-12-31 on it. For the ketone strips, there is a code chip stick that you insert when you first open a vial, before using any strips from the vial. The code shown on the strips shows up on the meter, then it shows up every time you put in a strip from that vial. It has a reminder that is supposed to start giving you a countdown notification when your vial has been open 5 months. I have only glanced through the glucose stick info at this point, but I have not seen where there is any coding or anything for those.
I got the Ketonian Special, Founders Club Kit' which comes with the meter, 10 ketone strips, a bag, lancet device (which I will not be using, I hand stick) and 10 lancets. It is currently $59.99. I can get ketone strips 'for life' for 99 cents each. Up to now, Mia has never had ketones, and she normally does not stay in very high numbers for long periods of time, so this testing is not something I will be doing every day. So, I will not need near as many strips as I do with the AT2. Still, I know this option is much more expensive than the 'pee sticks', but it is a good option for me. I wanted to share it since I thought there may be others for whom that is the case, too. (I bought 50 glucose strips for $14.99.)
The only somewhat negative comment I can make on it so far is that it is big, considerably bigger than the AT2. I did not expect that and was surprised, so I wanted to mention that. It shows results between .1 and 8.0 mmol/L; for < .01 mmol/L is shows Lo; for > 8.0 mmol/L, it shows Hi. I had to email the company to find out the sample size required (before I ordered), and I was impressed by their quick response, even during the weekend. So, that first experience gives me the impression that they have very responsive customer service.
Regarding the variance between feline and human blood. I did a quick search here, and found this thread:
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/blood-ketone-meter-reference-range.152775/ It also has links within it to more info. I have not had time to review it all myself, but I wanted to share it since you asked.
This is probably way more info than you even wanted, but now you know!
It only takes a blood sample of .5 microliters which is by far the smallest I found for a ketone meter.
