How to Use a Glucometer for Cats

Using a blood glucose meter for a cat is easier than it sounds.

Using a glucometer, or blood glucose meter, for a diabetic cat isn't very daunting because they are designed to be easy to use, and after a few tests, home testing your cat's blood glucose levels will become second nature to both of you. Although blood glucose meters made especially for animals are available from veterinarians, human meters work just as well for cats, says veterinarian and feline diabetes expert Elizabeth Hodgkins. Human meters and test strips are less expensive and are available at any pharmacy without a prescription.

Things You'll Need

• Blood glucose meter and test strips
• Warm washcloth
• Lancets
• Vaseline
• Facial tissue or cotton balls
• Cat treats or wet cat food

Instructions

Getting Ready

1. Purchase your supplies. Blood glucose meters that are fairly small, light and require just a tiny drop of blood are easiest to use with cats. Before you make a final decision, ask about the cost of the meters' test strips because some are much more expensive than others. You'll also need lancets. Veterinarian and feline diabetes expert Lisa A. Pierson says it's easiest to get a blood sample with 28- or 29-gauge lancets. Most blood glucose meters come with a lancing device and enough lancets and test strips to get you started.

2. Follow the directions that come with the meter to set the date and time and calibrate the meter to the test strips. Use the control solution included with the meter to run a trial test.

3. Practice by testing yourself. Testing your cat the first time will be easier for both of you if you're confident and know what you're doing.

Testing Your Cat

1. Arrange your testing supplies so they're within easy reach. Remove a test strip from the container, and put it on top of the glucose meter so you can insert it quickly. Remove the top from the lancet, and put the lancet in the lancing device if you're going to use one. Many people find the "freehand" approach---using the lancet without the lancing device---works best for cats.

2. Bring your cat to the testing site, and warm its ear with a warm washcloth or by massaging the ear for a few seconds. The ear will bleed more readily if it's warm.

3. Put a dab of Vaseline on the cat's ear so the blood pools instead of soaking into the fur.

4. Find the vein that runs near the edge of the cat's ear. If you can't see the vein, shine a flashlight behind the ear.

5. Place the test strip in the blood glucose meter.

6. Hold a folded facial tissue or cotton ball under the cat's ear so you don't stick yourself with the lancet.

7. Prick the edge of the ear near the vein with the lancet.

8. Pet the cat with one hand, and hold the blood glucose meter above the cat's ear with the other. Hold the test strip against the drop of blood. The meter will beep when it has a large enough sample.

9. Press gently on the ear with the facial tissue or cotton ball to stop bleeding and prevent bruising.

10. Give your cat a few treats or some wet food as a thank you for cooperating.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose a testing location that's comfortable for you and your cat and has good light. Always test in the same location so your cat knows what to expect.

• Putting your cat in a basket or small box with a fluffy towel will keep the cat contained and make it feel cozy and secure.

References

• Veterinary Practice News: Feline Diabetes--New Ways of Looking at an Old Enemy
• Cat Info: Feline Diabetes
• Feline Diabetes.com: Home Blood Glucose Testing of the Diabetic Cat

Resources

• Feline Diabetes Message Board
• VeterinaryPartner: Home Testing of Blood Glucose for Diabetic Cats