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Question

What is a glucose curve, and can I do it at home?

Sunny, owner notes“I wish my dog lived as long as I do.”Updated

I'm an owner, not a vet. This is not veterinary advice, so check anything medical with your own vet.

Short answer

A glucose curve sounds technical, but it's simply a set of readings taken across the hours between injections. You write them down and send them to your vet. Many vets prefer curves done at home, where your dog is calmer. One reading alone doesn't tell them much. Never change his insulin based on a curve without talking to your vet first.

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I never give insulin amounts here. Yours comes from your vet's written plan.

What you might see at home

The morning number might look scary, or fine, and then the afternoon looks completely different. A curve shows how his sugar moves across the whole day.

Curves change from day to day, and they can miss a low during the night. So one good curve doesn't mean everything's sorted. Your vet looks at it alongside how he's doing day to day.

What to put on the sheet

  • The date, the meal times and the injection time.
  • Each time you tested, and the number on the meter.
  • Anything that happened, like a refused meal, a walk, excitement or a nap, next to the time.
  • If you missed a reading, leave it blank. Don't guess.

What to take with you

Take the sheet, or send your vet a photo of it. Ask when they want the next one. The first curve is often done in the second week, but your vet will decide.

Why are readings at the vet different from home?

A day at the clinic is very different from a day at home. Stress, food and routine all change, so different readings don't mean either one is wrong. Tell the vet what happened on each day and which meter gave each reading.

Ask whether testing at home would give a clearer picture for your dog and how they want the results sent. Don't compare single numbers without times, and don't change the insulin yourself because of the difference. Your vet will read a curve alongside symptoms and weight.

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Sources

Every outside source I used is listed on the Sources page.

Related

Q&A

Is one glucose number enough?

One reading only shows that moment. Write it down with the time and how he seemed, and let your vet look at it.

Q&A

How often should I test my diabetic dog?

There's no fixed number of tests. Ask your vet how often they want readings.

Printable

Home curve sheet

For the day your vet asks you to check readings at home.

Guide

Home testing, glucose curves and notes for your vet

What to write down each day, and when your vet might ask for a curve.