Cataract surgery? Romeo update

[DebEsco]

I’ve been using the AlphaTrak 2 but their strips are sooo expensive that I have been using Pet Sure strips which were half the price. This week I’ve been upset to be getting high readings over 500, but it was puzzling because he seems fine and the next time I would test him he would read what would be expected for him. I even took him to the vet and had his urine tested but all was fine.

This morning I did a fasting test on him that was 680! I was shook. I tested him a second time five minutes later and it was 331.

My guess was that there is something wrong with the meter. I called the company and they were willing to troubleshoot but needed the number off their test strip bottle and of course I haven’t been using theirs. So they couldnt help me. Also told me control liquid no good if more than three months old.

I’m not sure what to do. AlphaTraks very expensive so hesitate to buy a new one. Does anyone know how long the battery lasts? Bought this in Feb. If battery goes bad would you get high readings?

Maybe I should get a human meter? I really get ticked off paying a double price for strips simply because they have somewhat of a monopoly on the pet meter market.

[jesse girl]

Well jesse has been using a discount human meter for over 9 years and i believe it is consistent not getting wildly different numbers back to back . I dont think you can say the meter is not working properly not using the strips that are specific to it . Glad your pup is doing well

[Raysaint]

The Alpha will give a warning on the display if the battery is low. My first battery lasted about 2 years.

I always believe there is a risk in using different strips for a meter. Others on here I believe use a human meter but use the proper meter strips with it. Then they figure out the math to convert the readings to the dog equivalent.

So maybe consider a different meter and the appropriate strips. And keep one vial of Alpha strips to be able to spot check the new/human meter now and then.

[DebEsco]

What human meter do you use?

[jesse girl]

Jesse uses the prodigy auto code but i have used a bunch of human meters and they all seemed to run about the same numbers except for the true trak and that meter only had problems at higher levels reading to high as you were seeing but was good at lower levels

They say the best human meter is the one touch ultra and i did a side by side comparison and they were relatively close so i have stuck with it for maybe 8 years as it was less expensive to operate

As raysaint said check on your battery as a low battery can make electronics act funky

[DebEsco]

Sorry it has been a while since I posted. I found an excellent internist who helped me get Romeo’s sugar under control. He is now on 2.5 units Vetsulin twice a day and doing well. His average on blood curve is about 225 and he seems healthy with no symptoms, other than worsening cataracts and dry eyes.Internist referred me to ophthalmologist who says he is a candidate for cataract surgery but we must move quickly due to dry eye issue. Has anyone here had that surgery, if so how did your dog fare? The complication is Romeo’s dry eyes which might lead to corneal ulcers with or without the surgery. Lens rupture is a possibility without the surgery but most other complications are with or without. 50% chance of complications without surgery, 15% chance with surgery. Having a hard time making decision. Surgery could make dry eyes worse and he is already on Tacrolimus maximum dosage.
Any thoughts are welcome. Cost not an issue, we have very good pet insurance.

[jesse girl]

Jesse was fortunate to have kept her sight so we dont have any direct knowledge of the surgery but being on the forum for almost 10 years I have seen results of dogs having the surgery and it pretty good. I get the impression its 75 percent effective . The key appears to be making sure you follow what needs to done to the letter and no deviation or complacency even long after the surgery .

No guarantees either way . Each situation is unique

Glad you found regulation . That could be affected by the surgery so something to be aware of

[DebEsco]

Thanks for the reply. The 75% sounds in the ball park. Yes they emphasized around the clock compliance for the first two weeks after surgery and daytime compliance thereafter, lifetime eye meds after but he is already on eyedrops for life. I did not realize the implications of dry eye when they first diagnosed and was not as diligent with the eye drops, he quickly developed corneal ulcers but they healed. I won’t make that mistake again. You are very knowledgeable!

[DebEsco]

Romeo isscheduled for cataract surgery March 10. Wish us luck!

[jesse girl]

fingers and paws crossed for a positive outcome . keep us posted