Diabetes in Dogs

Monitoring Urine Glucose & Ketones

Tracking Diabetes in Your Dog's Urine

Monitoring Glucose and Ketones in Your Dog's Urine

Immediately following diagnosis, your veterinarian may ask you to check your pet's urine to monitor glucose and ketones. Depending on your pet, this may be done 1–3 times a day:

  • Early in the morning, just prior to the time of the Vetsulin® injection and first meal
  • Late in the afternoon, before the second meal
  • Late in the evening

If monitoring once daily, the measurement should occur at the same time every day.

Collecting Urine

As treatment progresses, less frequent testing will be needed. Regular examinations remain important though, because your dog's insulin needs can change.

Tools for Collecting

  • Clean containers for collecting urine
  • Urine dipsticks from your veterinarian
  • A place to record results

How to Collect

  • Take your dog out for a walk on a leash. Keep your dog on a leash so that he will be within reach when he urinates
  • Have a clean, dry container (dish, bowl, or small pan) ready to catch urine when your dog urinates
  • When your dog begins to urinate, slowly slide the container under the urine stream
  • If needed, long-handled devices are also commercially available to help facilitate urine collection

Using Urine Dipsticks

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Step 1

Read instructions for dipsticks you are using to ensure test results are completed successfully.

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Step 2

Remove one test strip and fully immerse in urine to ensure all pads are soaked.

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Step 3

Immediately remove the test strip and tap to remove excess urine.

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Step 4

Read the result after the time specified on the dipstick bottle.

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Step 5

Hold the stick against the chart on the dipstick container to compare colors.

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Step 6

Record the results. Include time of collection and time of Vetsulin dose given on that day.

Tracking Results

Recording your dog's results is important to properly manage care. Keep track using the Pet Diabetes Tracker app or download a copy of the management monitoring sheet.

Tracking Tools & Resources

  1. Pet Diabetes Tracker app
    Review and keep important information to manage care.
  2. Blood Glucose Curve Tool
    Easily record blood glucose readings to generate a blood glucose curve.
  3. Helpful Downloads
    Additional resources to understand and manage canine diabetes.

Talk to Your Vet Today

Find a veterinarian to learn more about pet diabetes, and how cats and dogs can lead a happy, healthy life with proper management.

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