Greetings Ferret Friends:

This morning was to be a FBG (Fasting Blood Glucose) testing morning
with a few of my crew utilizing our Alpha Trak glucometer, said to be
the most accurate read for ferrets if set at the dog code which is
number 07 on the meter. I was not a happy camper, as I was only able
to secure one good reading from the kids I stuck and from the blood
they shared. In fact, I was so unhappy I called Alpha Trak to ask for
suggestions and replacement test strips. My only regret to date is that
I did not call the first time I ran into these problems. When it works
it is fantastic - when it doesn't it is frustrating.

I was directed to Dr. Evans who does the testing and design of the
machines and is also involved in the various blood glucose studies
that have allowed for species specific testing and development of the
species specific codes on glucometers.

I explained my concerns and asked that we address what I felt were
machine issues not technique or sample issues. Dr. Evans gave me
several suggestions regarding sample testing, how the alpha trak strips
work, use of alcohol or Vaseline on the stick site and specific issues
that can be easily corrected in the machine themselves. Dr. Evans has
taken my phone number and address and is sending a new vial of strips.
After I have tried a few from the new canister I am to report back to
him. If there continues to be a problem they will replace my
glucometer.

While on the phone with Dr. Evans I opted to ask some additional
questions with the plans of posting the info on the FML, here it is:

I had been told earlier this year that Alpha Trak had finally come up
with a blood glucometer that is designed specifically for ferrets and
has it own ferret code setting. According to Dr. Evans this is NOT
the case. I very much got the impression from Dr. Evans that they are
pretty set with the use of the dog code, number 07 on the glucometer,
for use as the ferret code as well. This is because when they compare
the glucose level of the plasma (which is how the machines are designed
to work) dogs and ferrets are so closely matched that they do not feel
they need to design one specific to ferrets.

He explained to me that in the blood, glucose levels can be checked in
the Red Blood Cells (RBC) or in the plasma. Because the glucose levels
vary in the blood components between species they need different
settings for humans, dogs and cats and then lump ferrets into dogs
because of those species' similarities.

I also asked about using glucometers designed for humans on ferrets.
He explained once again that the level of glucose in the RBC or in
the plasma are very different between humans and dogs and cats (than
compared ferrets though the dog numbers because of their similarities).
So, while humans measure approximately 40% glucose in their RBC and 60%
in their plasma, dogs measure 87% in their plasma and 13% in their
RBC's. Consequently if you are using a human glucometer for the ferrets
your readings can be up to 25-40% lower than the actual number.

Since our vet prefers to have two FBG tests/year on each ferret age
four and over, and because six of my ferrets are in that age category,
he offered to sell me an alpha trak at his costs to help defray BG
testing costs. He and the tech have been very happy with the
performance of the Alpha trak in comparison to their more spohisticated
BG machine. Therefore, I opted to take advantage of his offer. After a
few inquires with the vet techs, I came to believe the issue was in the
test strips. We'll see what happens when the replacements are received
and tested.

I hope this information is helpful to anyone thinking about purchasing
the Alpha Trak.

Respectfully,
Cathy Ryan

Feed rescued animals in two clicks
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3

[Posted in FML 6848]