How to check your cat's blood sugar from their paw

Raja was diagnosed with Feline Diabetes in February of 08. Thanks to the wonderful people at http://felinediabetes.com/ Raja is now in remission.

If your cat was diagnosed with diabetes I urge you to check out the site. They will walk you through everything and they are very helpful in the beginning when things seem so overwhelming.

http://felinediabetes.com/

Category:

Education

Tags:

• feline diabetes
• cat
• blood sugar
• diabetic
• blood glucose

[TexasCowgirl00]

@ppitstop38 Raja HATED me touching her ears and that's why I tried her paw, life is so much easier that way

[TexasCowgirl00]

I've been checking Raja's blood this way for over 2 years and she's never had an infection, in fact I've never heard of a cat getting an infection from drawing blood

[ppitstop38]

Thanks for the paws idea! I just tried my newly diagnosed boy in the ear, and he wasn't thrilled.

[stephandcuddles]

@chrisbentonvet - I paw pad tested my kitty for YEARS and never had a problem. I've never heard of a cat getting an infection from paw pad testing. The pads are tough enough as it is, and the lancets only make a small hole. I had to use the lancet device on the deepest setting, and even then had to squeeze some blood out. To get the pad infected, I'd think they'd have to get a pretty deep puncture, or a wide cut on the paw pad. A lancet just doesn't seem to make a big enough hole for that.

[rcautomotor]

@TheRadicalreels It sounds like you may be using Lantus insulin? If so, just so you know, if handled and stored properly, it lasts alot longer than the 28 days noted in the literature that comes with it. It is a human insulin and that literature is meant for human use. at felinediabetesDOTcom it is not uncommon to get close to 6 months out of a vial. Hometesting and watching for floaties will tell u if it's petering out on you

[rcautomotor]

@chrisbentonvet also, ran out of room :), sometimes there are kitties who have suffered injuries to their ears and don't have them to work with or they are damaged and won't bleed due to injury or disease so the paw pad is a great backup.

i do want to say though that it is fantastic to see a vet student aware that testing at all is a possibility. there are still alot of vets out there that do not believe in it or are not aware of it

[rcautomotor]

@chrisbentonvet while yes there is always the risk of infection, testing the paw pad is perfectly fine. the hole is so small that risk of infection is very small and if kitty doesn't go outside, risk is even less. i've seen several people test this way and yet to see an infection appear.

[chrisbentonvet]

Hello,

I am wondering if you checked with your veterinarian before testing your cat's blood glucose this way? The standard-of-care is to use the outer rim of the ear. I am only a vet student, but I am concerned about anyone lancing the footpad as infection or wound in that area is VERY difficult to heal and VERY painful. Not that it's any of my business, but I would recommend you stick with the outer rim of the ear as is standard practice. I don't think it's worth risking for no good reason.

[TheRadicalreels]

Hello from Texas... My Cat is now a Diabetic and he is doing well with the two shots a day. A few more Vet visits will determine the correct dosage he'll need. I will soon be taking his blood tests also. I'm not rich by any means and 78 dollars for a 28 day supply of Insulin not to mention needles and his new food. Is there a better place to buy what he needs? I really don't know if I trust this vet, but he dose cost much less than the others in my area. This is all so new to me. Thank you! Rad