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Glucose Monitoring
Glucose monitoring is essential for managing diabetes-mellitus in pets. It involves tracking blood sugar levels to guide insulin dose adjustments and detect dangerous highs or lows.
Key Facts
- Three home monitoring methods: continuous glucose monitor (FreeStyle Libre), glucometer, urine ketone dipsticks
- FreeStyle Libre: sensor implanted on pet's back, lasts up to 14 days, reads tissue glucose wirelessly
- Glucometer: requires small blood sample (usually from ear margin); veterinary meters preferred for accuracy
- Glucose curve: blood sugar tracked every 2 hours over 10-24 hours to map insulin effect
- Fructosamine blood test shows average glucose over previous 2 weeks
- Home monitoring avoids stress-induced glucose elevation from vet visits
- Urine ketone monitoring with Ketostix detects early diabetic-ketoacidosis
- Ketones in urine for 3+ consecutive days warrants immediate vet visit
- FreeStyle Libre not officially approved for veterinary use (off-label)
- Species: dogs and cats