Test Buddy
TM
Pet-Monitoring Blood Glucose System is intended for testing with fresh, capillary whole blood taken from the ear or paw pad in dogs and cats
. “Blood sample collection sites often used include the ears, gums, paw pads, and elbow callus. “
Can I test my dogs glucose level with a human’s meter?
Can you use a human glucose meter for dogs?
No, a human glucose meter should not be used for dogs
. They will not provide an accurate reading for a dog because the way blood sugar is stored is quite different between humans and dogs.
How can I test my dog’s blood sugar at home?
When is the best time to check my dog’s blood sugar?
The highest reading should occur
just before an injection of insulin is given
. The lowest should occur at the time of peak insulin effect. This is usually 5 – 8 hours after an insulin injection, but it should have been determined during the initial regulation process.
How can I lower my dog’s blood sugar quickly?
Walk the Dog
Regular exercise will also help your pooch lose weight and lower blood sugar levels. It’s best to have your dog exercise for the same length of time and at the same intensity every day. An unusually long or vigorous workout could cause blood sugar levels to drop too low.
What should a dog’s glucose level be?
Normal blood glucose levels in dogs and cats are similar to those in humans, about
80-120 mg/dl (4.4-6.6 mmol/L)
. Animals whose blood glucose levels are in this range will look and act normal.
How does a dog act with low blood sugar?
Clinical signs may include
altered mentation and behavior, seizures, syncope, muscle twitching/fasciculations, somnolence, exercise intolerance, muscle tremors, collapse, ataxia, weakness, and impaired vision
.
How can you tell if your dog has low blood sugar?
Signs of hypoglycemia are
loss of appetite, extreme lethargy, lack of coordination, trembling, muscle twitching, weakness, seizures, and discoloration of skin and gums
. Most dogs will not eat or drink when they are in low sugar shock.
What are symptoms of high blood sugar in dogs?
- Wounds not healing; infections worsening.
- Depression.
- Enlarged liver.
- Urinary tract or kidney infection.
- Bloodshot eyes.
- Cataracts.
- Extreme fluctuation in weight, gaining or losing.
- Obesity.
What is the difference between a human glucose meter and a dog glucose meter?
Meters made for humans are calibrated for human plasma, therefore providing accurate results, while meters made for cats and dogs are calibrated for pet plasma
. To obtain accurate glucose readings for your cats and dogs you must use a glucose meter specifically calibrated for pets.
Is there a difference between a human glucometer and a dog glucometer?
Humans have a much higher ratio of intracellular glucose (glycosylated hemoglobin) to plasma glucose than do dogs and other domestic animals
. For example, the cell:plasma glucose ratio (×100) is 67.1 in humans and 34.2 in canines.
How can you tell if a dog is diabetic?
- Excessive water drinking and increased urination.
- Weight loss, even though there may be an increased appetite.
- Decreased appetite.
- Cloudy eyes (especially in dogs)
- Chronic or recurring infections (including skin infections and urinary infections)
Can I give my dog insulin 1 hour early?
A diabetic pet needs to eat before you administer insulin. For best results,
inject insulin within one hour after feeding
to prevent blood sugar spikes.
Does insulin have to be given exactly 12 hours apart?
And yet, in general
it is best to give equally portioned meals and equally portioned insulin injection every 12 hour as the norm
. That is the ideal. Diabetic cats on tight diabetic control or pets who are tough to regulate may be a different story, but for the majority of diabetic pets, this is my preference.
Can I give my dog insulin 2 hours late?
An hour modification is just fine. Typically you don’t want to vary more than that, but sometimes life happens and longer duration occur.
As long as your dog is eating, you are okay to give the insulin an hour late.
Are eggs good for diabetic dogs?
Yes, eggs are good for a diabetic dog
because they are a good protein source and won’t cause a rise in blood sugar levels. A healthy, nutritious and balanced diet is one of the keys to overall health.
Are carrots OK for diabetic dogs?
Dogs love carrots, which feature sugar that occurs naturally and will not affect a dogs’ bodies’ insulin level
. You can serve it either cooked or raw since it has benefits either way. To make sure your dog can safely swallow it, make sure to pulp the carrots to make them easy to digest.
Why won’t my dog’s blood sugar go down?
Frequently encountered causes for insulin resistance include
infection, obesity and concurrent endocrine disease
. However, any illness that increases circulating levels of counter regulatory hormones (cortisol, glucagons, catecholamines, and growth hormone) can contribute to development of insulin resistance.
What is the lifespan of a dog with diabetes?
The median survival for dogs with diabetes is
two years
, and there are many who live much longer than that, provided that they receive proper treatment and are regularly assessed by the vet. Thus, dogs with diabetes generally live a full, happy life that is free of symptoms when given the proper treatment.
How long after eating can I give my dog insulin?
Dog should be fed the same amount and type of food roughly every 12 hours. Insulin injections should be given
immediately after meals
so the dog’s dose can be lowered if he eats less than normal.
What should a diabetic dog not eat?
Avoid giving
any treats or table scraps that contain sugar or sweeteners such as corn syrup, as well as high glycemic foods that quickly boost blood sugar, such as white rice and bread
.
Can I give my puppy sugar water?
Sugar water is a life-saving treatment for puppies whose immature system fails to regulate glucose
. Puppies (and adult dogs) experiencing hypoglycemia need to be given sugar water immediately to raise their blood sugar level, and they must also see a veterinarian.
How much Karo syrup do you give a diabetic dog?
If you are concerned about hypoglycemia, first try and feed your pet if he/she is alert, then administer Light Karo Syrup, honey or sugar water at
1 tablespoon per 5 pounds
and call your veterinarian.
How much honey can I give my dog with low blood sugar?
They include administering Karo syrup, cake icing, honey, fruit juices, colas, vanilla ice cream or Gatorade. About
1 teaspoon of these ‘quick sugars can be given to small dogs; 2-3 teaspoons for medium dogs; and 2 Tablespoons for larger breeds
.
How can I treat my dogs hypoglycemia at home?
If your pet is showing signs of hypoglycemia and is able to eat,
feed him a meal
. If he is not alert, hand-feed him corn syrup or honey until he is alert enough to eat his normal food. At that time, feed a meal of his normal food. If your pet is unconscious, rub a tablespoon of corn syrup or honey on his gums.
Why do diabetic dogs drink so much water?
Diabetes mellitus causes high blood sugar that’s either due to insulin deficiency or insulin resistance.
Excess sugar in the blood is excreted by the kidneys into the urine and drags water along with it
. In this case, excessive urination can cause excessive thirst in dogs.
