Monitoring

Changes in insulin requirements

It is not unusual for your dog's insulin requirements to change even after a long period of stability. This is most commonly due to:

Weight loss or gain
Changes in exercise regimen
The presence of other diseases
Progesterone in unspayed female dogs
Other treatments

This is why it is important to continue to monitor your diabetic dog's progress - even after months or years of treatment - and consult your veterinarian if there are sudden changes or if anything unusual happens.

Monitoring urine at home

Monitoring your dog's glucose level is an important part of the overall therapy for diabetes, and can be done in one of two ways:

  1. Measuring the glucose level in the blood itself
  2. Checking the urine for the presence of glucose

Measuring the blood glucose level is clearly the most accurate way to monitor your pet's therapy, and your veterinarian will usually do this in the clinic. Checking the urine for the presence of glucose and ketones, although not quite as accurate, is something you can do at home.

Monitoring glucose and ketones in your dog's urine

Immediately following diagnosis, your vet may ask you to check your dog's urine glucose, one to three times a day:

  1. Early in the morning, just prior to the time of the Vetsulin injection and first meal.
  2. Late in the afternoon, before the second meal.
  3. Late in the evening.

Later on in the treatment process, the need for testing will become less frequent. However, regular examination is still necessary, because your dog's insulin needs can change. Readjustment of the daily dose may then be required at that time.

What you need

  1. Clean containers for collecting urine.
  2. Urine dipsticks provided by or recommended by your veterinarian.
  3. A place to record results.

Collecting urine

  1. Take your dog out for a walk on a leash. Keep your dog on a leash so that it will be within reach when it urinates.
  2. Have a clean, dry container (dish, bowl, or small pan) ready to catch urine when your dog urinates.
  3. When your dog begins to urinate, slowly slide the container under your dog into the urine stream.

Testing urine using urine dipsticks

  1. Follow the instructions for the dipsticks you are using, particularly for the time to read the results.
  2. Place the dipstick in the container with the urine and soak the test pads.
  3. Remove the dipstick and tap dry.
  4. Read the result after the time specified on the stick bottle (usually 1 minute).
  5. Hold the stick against the chart on the dipstick container to compare colors.
  6. Record the results including time of collection and times of insulin injections given for that day

Treatment monitoring sheet

Click here for a downloadable copy of the treatment monitoring sheet that you can use to record your dog's results.

Monitoring blood glucose at home

A stable diabetic dog should have a blood glucose range of about 90-216 mg/dL (5 -12 mmol/L) for most of a 24 hour period.

Your veterinarian may ask if you are prepared to monitor blood glucose levels at home. This can be done in two ways and your veterinarian will discuss the best option with you.

  1. Blood test strips similar to those used for testing urine can be used.
  2. A handheld glucometer can be used. Although not essential, handheld glucometers are easy to use and well worth the investment. Your veterinarian will be able to advise you on what model best suits you and your dog's needs.

Collecting and testing a blood sample

During home monitoring, blood is usually collected from the earflap (pinna) of your dog.

  1. Make sure that your dog's ear is warm. If not, hold it between your hands for about one minute. Warming the earflap makes collecting a drop of blood easier.
  2. Quickly prick a clean, hairless part of the ear with a sterile hypodermic needle or lancet.
  3. A small drop of blood will appear. Collect the drop onto the glucose test strip.
  4. Gently but firmly press some cottonwool onto your pet's ear until it stops bleeding.
  5. Read the test strip or insert the sample into the glucometer as instructed.

Blood glucose test strips

Blood glucose strips are used to measure blood glucose concentration. A drop of blood is placed on the pad at the end of the strip. After the specified amount of time the pad is wiped and the color is checked against the chart on the container. Read the instructions provided before use.

Using a glucometer

A drop of blood is placed on the provided strips, the strip is then inserted into the glucometer, and the blood glucose concentration is shown. Read the instructions provided before use. Your veterinarian may want to make a blood glucose curve for your diabetic dog.