Measuring blood glucose- what equipment?

RE: Measuring blood glucose- what equipment?

Rob Davis — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 17:51:16 GMT

Inside upper lip works well in most dogs - I find it easier than ears (though I use ears in cats).

RE: Measuring blood glucose- what equipment?

Anthony Dennison — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 16:46:27 GMT

Alphatrak 2, I prefer ear samples as the dogs don't get as vein phobic and it means we dont scar the cephalics for future use.

And before anyone says it we use insulin needles to get cephalic samples for BG curves, but multiple testing really makes those veins go a bit crunchy. I don't like it.

RE: Measuring blood glucose- what equipment?

Martin Atkinson — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 08:54:47 GMT

We use Alphatrak as it is more accurate than human glucometers which are, so I understand, deliberately set to read a couple of units low to reduce the risk of the patient going hypoglycaemic.

Re discrepancies between ear vein pricks and saphenous samples: there is no reason they will be different other than if you're struggling to get a sample and cause tissue damage or haemolysis - this could happen just as easily from a saphenous as ear vein if your technique is not ideal.

RE: Measuring blood glucose- what equipment?

Julie Innes — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 08:46:15 GMT

We use a glucometer (can't remember the name!) but I don't like ear prick samples- I've had huge discrepancies between them and proper venous samples

RE: Measuring blood glucose- what equipment?

Emily Rainbow — Wed, 20 Jun 2018 22:42:32 GMT

Also need to be consistent where you’re taking blood from.

You’ll see a few point different between peripheral (ear prick) and intravenous stick results.

RE: Measuring blood glucose- what equipment?

Judith Archbold — Wed, 20 Jun 2018 22:40:42 GMT

I trust Alphatraks. Just need to make sure the number setting is corrected for each batch of test strips. I have one at home for my own diabetic cat and she seems to be doing ok :)