Your dog has been diagnosed with diabetes – now what? How do you monitor their glucose levels? Dog glucose test kits and diabetes test strips can help you check your dog’s glucose level and help them get the treatment they need to maintain their insulin intake.
Disclaimer: This post is meant to be informative and should not be taken as medical advice. Talk to your veterinarian regarding any health concerns you may have for your dog.
What Is Dog Diabetes?
There are two main types of diabetes your dog may have: Type I or Type II.
Type I diabetes is the most common type of diabetes in dogs. The cells of the body need energy in order to function properly. The pancreas contains cells that produce a hormone called insulin, which helps the body’s cells convert glucose from the blood into the energy they need. If the body does not produce enough insulin, glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into the cells, causing a condition known as hypoglycemia.
Type II diabetes is less common and occurs when the pancreas produces insulin, but it has no effect on the body.
When discussing monitoring your dog’s glucose levels in this post, we are referring to Type I diabetes.
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Diabetes In Dogs?
Some signs and symptoms of dog diabetes to watch out for include:
- Increased thirst.
- Increased urination.
- Increased appetite.
- Weight loss.
- Lethargy.
If left untreated, your dog may develop an increase of glucose in the lens of their eyes. They can develop cataracts, which can then lead to blindness.
How Do I Know If My Dog Has Diabetes?
If your dog is exhibiting any of the signs or symptoms above, have them checked by your veterinarian. These signs and symptoms can occur with other medical conditions, so it is important for your dog to have a thorough examination by your vet. Your veterinarian should also be checking your dog’s glucose levels during their yearly check up. Diabetes tends to occur in older dogs, so you may want to have your dog checked twice a year if they are a senior dog.
If your veterinarian suspects diabetes, they may want to monitor your dog’s glucose levels for 12 hours. This would be done in your vet’s office. This testing can help your veterinarian determine the correct dosage of insulin your dog will need.
What Glucose Level Should A Dog Be?
The normal glucose level for dogs is 80-120 mg/dL. Anything over 200 mg/dL is too high and anything under 80 mg/dL is too low.
How Do I Help Control My Dog’s Diabetes?
To help your dog maintain a healthy lifestyle while living with diabetes, it is important to speak to your veterinarian to develop the proper diet and exercise regimen for them. Your dog may need to be on prescription dog food. Feeding your dog should be done twice a day and at consistent times. Monitoring your dog’s glucose levels will help you determine if and when your dog needs insulin.
Can You Check Dog’s Glucose Level At Home?
Yes. It is important to check your dog’s glucose levels while at home between your dog’s check up appointments with your vet. AlphaTRAK2 and iPet Pro are two examples. Ask your veterinarian which home testing kit is right for you and your dog.
Checking Your Dog’s Glucose Level At Home
To check your dog’s glucose levels at home, you are going to need a few supplies. A glucometer, a lancet, test strips, and a sharps container are basic supplies you will need.
Glucometer
A glucometer or glucose monitor is a device that measures the amount of glucose in the blood. This works by inserting a test strip into the device, taking a sample of blood, getting the blood onto the test strip, then waiting for the glucose monitor to give a reading. As mentioned above, AlphaTrak2 and iPet Pro are two examples.
Lancets and Lancet Device
A lancet device looks like a pen with a small needle, the lancet, at the end. The lancet is inserted into the lancet device and, together, they are used to take the blood sample from your dog. Lancet devices are included in your glucose monitoring kit. Some people opt to just use the lancet without the lancet device. Lancets are only used once, then disposed of, which is why you need a sharps container and a supply of lancets on hand.
Glucose Test Strips
Glucose test strips contain chemicals that react to your dog’s blood in order for your glucose monitor to give an accurate reading as to your dog’s blood sugar level. AlphaTrak2 and iPet Pro glucose test strips are made to fit in each of their glucometers.
Sharps Container
As mentioned above, a sharps container is used to store the used lancets until they can be disposed of properly.
Where Do I Obtain A Blood Sample On My Dog For Glucose Testing?
Common areas to take blood samples to use for glucose testing include:
- Marginal Ear Vein.
- Carpal Pad.
- Inside the Upper Lip.
- Elbow Callus.
Your veterinarian will show you how to take blood samples from these areas so you can feel comfortable getting a sample from your dog at home.
Be sure to use at least two separate area and alternate where you take your sample from to avoid hypersensitivity and scar tissue build up.
Can You Test A Dog’s Blood Sugar With A Human Glucometer?
It is not a good idea to use a human glucometer on dogs, as humans and dogs have different compositions of glucose in their blood. If you test a dog’s blood with a human glucose meter, you will not get accurate results.
Alternative Options To Test Your Dog’s Glucose Level
In addition to testing your dog’s glucose level multiple times a day by pricking them to get blood, there are three other options you can try if it is difficult to get samples from your dog.
Urine Test Strips
Urine test strips work by getting urine on the strip, which will then give you a reading of your dog’s glucose level. You can either collect the urine in a cup and dip the strip into it, or you can catch the urine mid stream. While this may seem easier than getting a blood sample, it may take quite a bit of patience to get that sample.
Continuous Glucose Monitoring
Another option is to perform continuous glucose monitoring. This can be done using the FreeStyle Libre device. This works by having a sensor that is put just under the skin which measures your dog’s glucose levels. The FreeStyle Libre would need to be put on your dog by your veterinarian. While this is not specifically designed for dogs, there is evidence that it may be beneficial to monitor dogs continuously for 14 days with accurate results. If this seems like something you would like to try, discuss this with your veterinarian to see if it would be a good option for your dog.
Saliva Glucose Testing
One last option is a saliva glucose test for dogs. This can be done using a test such as Vet -Tab (this is the old website). This works by using a test strip to obtain a sample of your dog’s saliva. The strip will then turn color based on the amount of glucose in your dog’s saliva. You then use a smartphone app that analyzes the color on the strip and gives you a result. This testing requires a monthly subscription in order to use the app and it’s services. There is not a lot of information about the Vet-Tab (this is the new website) system online. They seem to be updating the app, but there is no timeline as to when it will be available. If this is something you may be interested in, discuss this with your veterinarian, and keep an eye on their website for more information.
How Accurate Are Urine Test Strips For Dogs?
Urine test strips are not as accurate as obtaining a blood glucose level for your dog. When you use these test strips, the reading will give you a range instead of a specific number to give you an idea of your dog’s glucose level.
In terms of the most accurate glucose reading for your dog, a blood sample will be your most accurate. The next best option would be continuous glucose monitoring with a device like the Freestyle Libre.
It may be scary to hear that your dog has been diagnosed with diabetes. Your dog can live a happy life with proper diet and exercise. In addition to being under the care of your veterinarian, checking your dog’s glucose level with the proper glucose test kit and glucose strips can help give you an accurate reading to determine the proper treatment for your dog.
Please check out our other posts on Health, Indoor, Outdoor, and Travel accessories for your dog, as well as Reviews of various products and travel destinations.