HI BG readings

[boogerybooger]

Just posting an update on Booger.

His insulinoma may now be conflicted with glucagonoma. His BG readings are all higher than norm although at the vet last reading was 207 which she said is at the top of normal range. So pred dose was cut in half when high readings started, now at .75 rather than 1.5 cc, but readings still high-- although not as high as they were. Mostly my readings at home are higher than that. 

Has anyone had experience with Petsure strips that work with the alphatrak 2 meter? I'm really having my doubts about accuracy. With vet test, we decided it was 50 points higher than their reading so I have been subtracting 50 as instructed. Still high readings though. Alphatrak2 strips are way expensive for the way I go through them.

Booger for the most part is doing well. Good poops and pees, but less energy for walks outside. Appetite is variable but mostly good. He has gotten back to eating whole frog legs and bone-in rabbit, but blended bone-in and organ foods are more the norm.

Would love to hear any similar experiences any of you are having. Booger is nearing 6.5 years old according to vet records. He gets DES implant every 6 months.

Thanks for all the sharing on this forum. It really helps us all.
Boogerybooger

[unclejoe]

Tbh, I would use the test strips made by the meter maker. Unless you're using them several times a day, and I can't see that for a ferret already on pred. I'd be happy to keep even weekly readings within range, but every fert is different. Abita has been on pred approaching 2 years and her values vary quite a bit, within limits, and she's been on .1 mL BID the whole time

[boogerybooger]

Thank you, Unclejoe!

Wow! that is a really low dose! Booger started on 1 ml and went to 1.5 and is now at .7 which seems to be working ok.

Yes, have figured we need the meter maker's test strips although as others have said it is highway robbery what they charge. I was testing him quite frequently with the dose change and because the readings were so high.

I am happy to say today's readings (which I take first thing in the morning after about 6-8 hours overnight without food [by choice bc it is available and not eaten] and then food, pred and no more food for 3 hours) were both under 200!

Seeing vet tomorrow for DES and recheck.
Thanks for your response!

[boogerybooger]

Booger is not diabetic. But the vet still thinks insulinoma and glucogonoma at work at the same time in his body. He is fairly stable with his current pred dose even with BG at the highest end of normal range. He got his DES today just shy of 6 months. She said it was time because of hair loss on his tail which had confused the issue with HBG readings and weight gain, fitting the diabetic description I had read. Now I know a clear sign for needing the next DES implant. BTW the hair loss on tail offered a perfect place to do the sticks for BG. I think it will be the only place I use from now on. He does not seem too bothered by it there and it is quick without needing salmon oil which vet said can influence BG. Also with some hair missing, I shaved it clean for an inch from the tip--- perfect for blood samples! Happy to be his Farrent and just want the best for the little booger (he earned his name 2 weeks after my son named him King George- ha!)

[abbeytheferret6]

I wonder if the Des Implant will drop his sugar?
Do hope he gets to doing better.
Interesting to know that salmon oil affects bg.

[boogerybooger]

Apr 4, 2019 7:34:00 GMT -5 abbeytheferret6 said:

I wonder if the Des Implant will drop his sugar?
Do hope he gets to doing better.
Interesting to know that salmon oil affects bg.



I will be on the lookout for that. It wasn't mentioned and he has had it for years now- 3 maybe, at least 2.
Thank you for the well wishes. We are at a somewhat stable place but don't know how long that will last.
Yes, I wonder about the salmon oil too. Maybe she just wanted to be sure he had NOTHING at all. 
Thank you for responding 

[boogerybooger]

Ok folks, here's a conundrum. I have seen so many places where we should code our meter the the one the vet uses however last time I was there the code was 20 something and this time it was 36. Google led to answers to this question: Use the code that is on the test strip bottle. Seems logical, but then is it going to be the same reading the vet gets?

[fuzzysmama]

Hi! It’s fantastic to find someone else who has the glucagon AND insulinoma tumor issue...my girl is in the same boat, though pred put her BG in the 500’s. She’s been off pred for a bit over a year now, regulating on diet alone. She needs a des implant (this would be her first), but her BG will drop dangerously if I don’t figure out a way to better regulate her bg before we do that.

I know it’s been a bit, but if you’re still around the forum, can you give an update on your little one?

So far as your meter question, from what I know, the strips dictate the setting, AlphaTRAK 2 is supposed to be read on dog setting, and the vet won’t get the same result you do at home. In fact, it’s better to get jugular (or vena cava) draws done at the vet, if you can. They run the sample through a centrifuge and it’s a lot more accurate.