From:
Russell Prater
Date: 2004-06-14 00:13:57 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Gluometers
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <40CCEDC5.F8CAA0B9@worldnet.att.net>
stephanieno@sympatico.ca wrote:
>
> I am writing to ask if anyone has had much experience with testing blood glucose at home.
Yes, my oldest ferret died of insulinoma. It was necessary to buy a
gluco-meter. There are a number of questions you have to ask when
determining which is best. How much blood does it take? How accurate is
it's reading? What does the meter cost? How much do test strips cost?
When testing a large animal like a man the amount of blood required is
insignificant, but when testing a tiny animal like a ferret it is
important that very little blood is needed. At the time I needed a
meter, The FreeStyle meter by TheraSense was the leader, requiring only
a pinhead sized drop of blood but the cost of the meter was high and the
cost of strips was also very high. At the time, I went for it but I'd
sure check to see if any new meters are better. It is possible to clean
a foot pad and coat it with a very thin film of vasoline and get enought
blood to operate a FreeStyle, or you can clip a nail just a bit too
short and get enought blood to test. I've been seeing some ads for new
types of systems that may offer better deals. Be sure to check them all
out before you settle on one. Also, you must have a supply of styptic
powder such as Kwik Stop on hand to stop the bleeding as soon as you
have your sample. Best wishes on his surgery.
--
Russ, Booger, Bonnie & Clyde
russellprater@worldnet.att.net