New to Diabetes - Libre 2 accuracy & alarms

Status
Not open for further replies.
R

Roy and Gunny

New Member
My cat Gunny was just diagnosed with diabetes while we are still battling a systemic Histoplasmosis fungal infection. He came home a few days ago fitted with a Libre 2. I have discovered through this forum that the reading for a cat can be inaccurate because it is calibrated for human blood. I am going to get a Relion from Walmart but would like to know if someone has experience with the Libre 2 as I really like the alarm feature that will alert me at night if his glucose level goes low. What would be a good number to set it? The default setting is below 70 with the urgent alarm at 55. His readings are currently running from HI (400) to the lowest that I have seen is 61. The alarm is loud and very unsettling but glad it is there.

BTW I am so glad I found this site and trying to get up to speed after spending months learning about fungal infection>
 
@Roy and Gunny
Welcome can you set up our spreadsheet where we track our cats BG numbers
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-create-a-spreadsheet.241706/
It will also explain how to use it. It's not hard
I can tag a member who might be able to help you out with the Libre questions
@Staci & Ivy

Roy you can read about Lantus here , please read all the yellow stickys especially the 2 dosing methods , when you decide what method you want to follow you can add that to your signature and spreadsheet once you set it
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/lantus-levemir-biosimilars.9/

Since you are feeding any kibble at all you will have to follow the SLGS method
 
Last edited:
Roy and Gunny said:
My cat Gunny was just diagnosed with diabetes while we are still battling a systemic Histoplasmosis fungal infection. He came home a few days ago fitted with a Libre 2. I have discovered through this forum that the reading for a cat can be inaccurate because it is calibrated for human blood. I am going to get a Relion from Walmart but would like to know if someone has experience with the Libre 2 as I really like the alarm feature that will alert me at night if his glucose level goes low. What would be a good number to set it? The default setting is below 70 with the urgent alarm at 55. His readings are currently running from HI (400) to the lowest that I have seen is 61. The alarm is loud and very unsettling but glad it is there.

BTW I am so glad I found this site and trying to get up to speed after spending months learning about fungal infection>
Click to expand...
@Wendy&Neko
@Suzanne & Darcy
 
Thanks for the prompt reply! I will be setting up the spreadsheet ASAP but I have never used my Google account and lost the password and need to straighten that out. I am expected to be at a memorial service for an old friend this afternoon so time is limited and I am worn out from staying up with him for the last three nights checking on him as he tends to go low at night. No outward signs of hypo but I do have syrup, syringe for application to his gums, etc. thanks to you guys on this site.
 
Hello and welcome to the forum. In addition to the helpful links Diane posted, I’m curious about the dose you are currently on. Was 2u the initial/starting dose? Can you share a bit of information on how Gunny was diagnosed? Did the vet run a fructosamine test and other lab work, including a urinalysis, and did they tell you what the results were that confirmed the diagnosis?

We have generally found that the Libre can often give lower readings than the human handheld when in low numbers, so in those cases, caregivers are encouraged to test those lows with a handheld to verify the accuracy of the readings.
 
Diane Tyler's Mom GA said:
@Roy and Gunny
Welcome can you set up our spreadsheet where we track our cats BG numbers
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-create-a-spreadsheet.241706/
It will also explain how to use it. It's not hard
I can tag a member who might be able to help you out with the Libre questions
@Staci & Ivy

Roy you can read about Lantus here , please read all the yellow stickys especially the 2 dosing methods , when you decide what method you want to follow you can add that to your signature and spreadsheet once you set it
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/lantus-levemir-biosimilars.9/
Click to expand...
Hi Roy and Gunny, sorry you are here, but welcome.
I have used a Libre for a long time now on my cat Ivy. I started out with the Libre 2 and moved to a Libre 3 about a year and a half ago. (I got her her own phone that stays with her at home and I can monitor her 24/7, the data is sent directly to my own phone)

It’s probably good where you have your alarms set until you get comfortable. Yes, it’s very loud but it is a good safety feature. I’m to a point now where I actually wrap it in a towel because it’s so loud, but I keep it close by and just muffle the loud alarm a little bit.

If you are able to poke his ear to get an actual blood test, that’s a good thing to be able to do, even if you’re using a Libre.
A Libre tends to read lower than an actual blood test when you hit very low numbers. At least that’s my experience, but you’ll have to learn how Your cat reads against a handheld glucometer.
Other people have had closer readings between the two devices.

I strongly recommend learning about how to use a Libre from the Facebook group Freestyle Libre for Dogs and Cats.
They have so much valuable information, guide guides, tutorials videos, and everything you will need to learn about using a Libre sensor.

I install the Libre’s myself and highly recommend that you learn to if you can, because the Libre can fail at any time of the day or night and I would not want to have to wait to get to a vet’s office to have one replaced. (It’s not that hard and I have a feisty cat).

Plus a vet office tends to use glue to install them and it is highly recommended not to use any glue.
I also cover Ivy’s Libre so she can’t pull it off. Most people use a little T-shirt or something to cover the Libre although some cats don’t bother with it at all. You’ll have to figure out how Gunny reacts to the Libre.

We understand that you are very overwhelmed right now. Please try to breathe. It’s a hard time in the beginning.

Wishing you lots of good luck and please let me know if you have any further questions :bighug:
 
Last edited:
Not exactly certain of all the tests that were run but I got the impression that it was primarily his high glucose test (412) plus excessive thirst and urination and weight loss. I initially thought the weight loss was due to the Histoplasmosis but the excessive drinking really tipped us off. He had a hospital stay for 2 days with fast acting insulin and testing until the ketones were reduced or gone. His starting dose was 4 U twice a day and increased to 5 U twice a day because he tended to stay above 300. I messed up a couple of injections by pushing too far and poking out and losing the insulin but getting the hang of it now.

I think the insulin is becoming more effective over time but still learning and trying to ask the right questions. Today he went from HI in the morning to 208, 177,173,76, and 191 now at 2:40 PM. I plan on picking up a ReliOn on the way home.

He will hit HI reading right before a dose and immediately start reducing after a dose but I am real nervous about the lows. I hope the curve will even out after the Lantus has had some time and I have perfected the injections. I feel much more confident after I changed to a shorter needle.

I am so grateful for the responses but must leave for a few hours.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top