Glucose at home
Blood tests at home, glucose curves, sensors and urine strips. Your vet reads the results.
I'm an owner, not a vet. This is not veterinary advice, so check anything medical with your own vet.
- How do I check my diabetic dog's glucose at home?5 minMost owners get the hang of home testing. Let your vet pick the meter and show you how.
- Ear, lip, or paw: where do people prick?3 minThe ear, gum, paw pad and elbow can all work. Use the spot your vet showed you.
- How often should I test my diabetic dog?3 minThere's no fixed number of tests. Ask your vet how often they want readings.
- What is a glucose curve, and can I do it at home?4 minA glucose curve is a set of readings across the day. Your vet will tell you when to do one.
- Is one glucose number enough?2 minOne reading only shows that moment. Write it down with the time and how he seemed, and let your vet look at it.
- Is a skin sensor worth it for my diabetic dog?4 minA sensor can mean far fewer pricks for your dog. If it ever shows a low, check with a blood test.
- Can urine strips stand in for blood tests?2 minOn days a blood test isn't possible, a urine strip can give you a rough idea. It doesn't replace the checks your vet asked for.
- What if a urine strip shows ketones?3 minKetones on a strip mean a call to your vet today. Call now if he's vomiting, weak or flat.
- My diabetic dog hates glucose tests2 minSome dogs never settle with pricks. Tell your vet, because there may be a gentler way.
- Can I judge control by thirst and energy?2 minIf you can't test, his thirst, peeing, hunger and weight still tell you a lot. If any of them get worse, call your vet.
- Which test strips fit my glucose meter?3 minUse only the strips made for your exact glucose meter.
- My meter readings jump around. Is the meter wrong?3 minIt's unsettling when the meter gives a number that doesn't fit how your dog seems.
- What is a fructosamine test?3 minFructosamine is a blood test that helps your vet see how your dog's sugar has been over the past few weeks.
- Can heat and damp spoil my meter, test strips or urine strips?3 minHot, damp weather can be hard on test strips and the meter, and you can't always see the damage.
- The meter says HI or over 500. Is that an emergency?3 minHI means the reading is above what the meter can show, which needs attention, but it doesn't mean your dog has DKA. Call your vet soon.