Question:
We have a diabetic cat who has been on insulin for several years. The
vet now wants us to start daily testing his blood sugar with a special
cat-calibrated glucose meter, which the vet will gladly provide for a
mere $220. People-calibrated meters cost about $60.
Is there a special meter?
Answer:
Yeah- Its called the AlphaTrak. My AlphaTrak readings are a little higher
than my AccuChek's because the AT favors glucose in the RBCs whereas the
AccuChek averages the glucose in the RBCs and plasma. There's more glucose
in RBCs than plasma so the AT readings tend to be a little higher- but the
difference is nowhere near the 40% that Abbott claims- but then again,
Antech conducted the tests and they will produce any results you want.
Remember, Antech is the lab that gave us the usless "FIP Specific" test that
they *still* promote as accurate.
