Question
Can urine strips stand in for blood tests?
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
On days a blood test just isn't happening, a urine strip can still tell you something. Most vets see strips as extra information rather than a replacement for the checks they asked for. If a strip shows ketones, call your vet the same day. If it shows no glucose at all, call too. Never change his insulin based on a strip.
I never give insulin amounts here. Yours comes from your vet's written plan.
What you might see at home
His ear is sore, or he hides, so you reach for a strip instead. You can wet a strip from pee on grass or gravel. Just don't read too much into the result.
Lots of owners test urine at home. Mostly they're watching for ketones. Sometimes it's a backup when they couldn't get blood.
What to write down for the vet
- The time of day, and that it was urine, not blood.
- What the glucose and ketone squares showed, using the words on the pot.
- How he seems, especially his drinking, appetite and energy.
- Blood readings from the same day, if you have any.
What to take with you
Take your notes, and the pot if they want to see the brand. If the strip showed ketones, call your vet today.
Sources
- What if a urine strip shows ketones?What a ketone reading means
- How do I check my diabetic dog's glucose at home?How to check blood glucose at home
- Can heat and damp spoil my meter, test strips or urine strips?How heat and damp spoil strips
- When does a diabetic dog need a vet the same day?Signs that need a vet the same day
Every outside source I used is listed on the Sources page.
Related
Q&A
What if a urine strip shows ketones?
Ketones on a strip mean a call to your vet today. Call now if he's vomiting, weak or flat.
Q&A
How do I check my diabetic dog's glucose at home?
Most owners get the hang of home testing. Let your vet pick the meter and show you how.
Q&A
My diabetic dog hates glucose tests
Some dogs never settle with pricks. Tell your vet, because there may be a gentler way.
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.