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Blood
Samples as a Monitoring Tool
Blood samples can be taken to measure blood glucose concentrations.
Measuring blood glucose
1. Collect a venous blood sample from a peripheral vein into
a suitable tube.
2. Collect a drop of capillary blood from the ear (pinna), or
sometimes a carpal pad or a footpad, and analyse this using
a hand-held
blood glucose meter
(glucometers).
- Readings may vary by as much as 15% from samples submitted
to the laboratory.
- Hand-held glucometers are reasonably accurate.
If a reading seems unusual or does not match the clinical signs, a second reading should be taken or another method used to confirm the blood glucose concentration.
3. Collect a drop of capillary blood from the ear (pinna) or
a carpal pad or a footpad and analyse this using a blood glucose
test strip.
4. A number of new methods are being tested. These include continuous,
less invasive methods of glucose testing, such as using a glucose
sensor placed under the skin to record several hundred blood glucose
concentrations over a two- to three-day period. This type of device
has been tested in diabetic cats.
More information
See Publications:
- Wess G, Reusch C (2000). Capillary blood sampling from the ear of dogs and cats and use of portable meters to measure glucose concentration.
- Casella M, Wess G, Reusch CE
(2002). Measurement of capillary
blood glucose concentrations by pet owners: a new tool in the management
of diabetes mellitus. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2002 May-Jun; 38(3): 239-45
Single blood glucose measurements
A single blood sample
for glucose measurement can be taken at the time that the blood
glucose nadir (lowest concentration is expected). This is particularly
used after a dose increase to check that the new dose is not producing
hypoglycaemia. The time to blood glucose nadir is
different in each animal. Thus, taking a single sample between 6
and 10 hours after insulin administration is not always going
to be appropriate.
A more accurate way of
monitoring the efficacy of treatment is to produce a
blood
glucose curve.
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