Fortunately, I have never had to use glucometer for a cat, but I know there
are others on this group who will respond.  However, I may still have a bit
of input that could help you because *I* was recently diagnosed as diabetic.
I am using the FreeStyle glucometer (manufactured by TheraSense).  It is
very easy to use and requires only a tiny drop of blood for testing.  You
can also easily download results to your computer (using a cable sold by
TheraSense for $19.99), and you can configure the software to use whatever
"high" and "low" readings are appropriate.  It takes only seconds to
download test results, and the software will flag abnormal readings -- and
maintain a history for continuous evaluation.  TheraSense also manufactures
FreeStyle Flash.  This supposedly is the smallest meter on the market, and I
think it includes a cable for downloading.

MaryL

We use the Bayer Elite system--very easy to use since it "sucks up"
the blood from the cat's ear rather than having to try and get a large
droplet that needs to land just in the right spot on the strip.

Amaretto has been diabetic for almost 4 years--and is managing just
fine!  We'd be happy to answer any other questions!

PegNDerek

"Scientists' say intelligent life
sprang from the sea.
Really intelligent life returns to
the sea now and then."

The most accurate hand-held glucometer you can buy is the Accu-Chek II
meter.   I've compared several meters to my Beckman bench glucose analyzer
(the most accurate glucose analyzer there is), and the Accu-Check II was the
most accurate and consistant.

Ultralente is unpredictable in many cats.  I've had the best luck with
regular and lente insulin, and PZI in cats that are difficult to regulate on
human insulin.

Urine glucose monitoring has some very serious limitations for cats.

For one, a "negative" dipstick doesn't let you know if the cat is
hypoglycemic - the sticks don't go below "negative".

Second; cats have a high renal threshold that can vary from 200 mg/dl to 290
mg/dl.  So, a "negative" stick could mean the cat is regulated or not
regulated and is still hyperglycemic.

Third:  The urine in the bladder is an accumulation of urine over several
hours, so the reading you get does not represent urine glucose at the time
its tested.

Fourth:  There's a lag time between hyperglycemia and glucosuria.  IOW, it
could take several hours before hyperglycemia shows up in the urine.

Dipsticks are good for detecting ketones in the urine (ketonuria) which can
lead to ketoacidosis.

Blood glucose testing is much more accurate than urine glucose.

Here's how you check a cat's blood glucose:

http://maxshouse.com/bgtest.rm

The bottom line is that most cats can be regulated and diabetic many cats
have very good quality of life;  in some cats, the process of regulation
might involve a bit more work - but its well worth the extra effort.

Good luck,

Phil

Here are some links for you on testing your cat, including movies
and photos, and some other feline diabetes links.

LeMieux gets a little bit annoyed at having his ear held and warmed
before the test, but has never seemed to notice being pricked by an
UtraFine lancet.  The first thing you'll want to do is get a good
look at your cat's ears to familiarize yourself with where the vein
runs around the edge, shining a small flashlight through the ear if
he has dark fur or you can't see it on the inside.

At first, I rubbed a little dab of Vaseline into his ear to help the
blood bead up above the fur, but I seemed to get the knack of hitting
close to or on the little vein pretty quickly, and didn't need the
Vaseline because he easily bled a drop about twice as large as needed
for the test.

Home Testing of Blood Glucose for Diabetic Cats
By Margie Scherk DVM, ABVP
 (home testing movie, Windows Media or Realplayer)
  http://www.veterinarypartner.com/content.plx?P=A&S=O&C=O&A=605

Harry's Home Testing Page - (good close-up photos)
 http://www.sugarcats.net/sites/harry/bgtest.htm

Punkin's Home Testing Movie -
http://tlb.best.vwh.net/bg_punkin/test_bg.html

VSPN discussion on Home Testing -
 http://www.vspn.org/Library/Rounds/VSPN_LC011209.htm

DVM the Newsmagazine of Veterinary Medicine
 At Home Diabetes Management -
 http://www.dvmnewsmagazine.com/dvm/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=13315
 
Blood Glucose Monitoring -
 http://www.dvmnewsmagazine.com/dvm/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=5336

Feline Diabetes
 http://www.felinediabetes.com/index.html

Pet Diabetes
 http://www.petdiabetes.org/

Frugal Feline Diabetes site
http://www.sugarcats.net/sites/jmpeerson/frugal.html