Understanding Veterinary Blood Glucose Levels
Normal blood glucose levels can vary slightly between animal species and even between individuals
What are Normal Blood Glucose Levels in Pets?
Normal blood glucose levels can vary slightly between animal species and even between individuals. However, here are some general guidelines for normal fasting blood glucose levels:
Dogs: 80-140 mg/dL
Cats: 75-140 mg/dL
Horses: 70-110 mg/dL
Several factors like an animal's size, age, and activity level can influence their normal range. Stress from situations like visits to the vet can also cause temporary highs. In general, levels below 120-130 mg/dL are considered non-diabetic for dogs and cats.
**Why is Monitoring Blood Glucose Important?
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Checking a pet's blood glucose level is an essential part of diagnosing and managing diabetes. Veterinary Blood Glucose helps identify other potential conditions like Cushing's disease that impact glucose regulation. Regular monitoring allows vets to see how well an animal is responding to any treatment plan and make timely adjustments if needed.
Some key reasons for glucose monitoring include:
- Diagnosing diabetes: Sustained high glucose levels are a hallmark of diabetes. Multiple high readings help confirm the disease.
- Adjusting insulin doses: Pets with diabetes require insulin therapy. Glucose checks guide vets in finding each animal's optimal insulin amount.
- Identifying low blood sugar: Low readings signal hypoglycemia, which needs urgent treatment.
- Monitoring diet or medication changes: Alterations to diet, medications or insulin may impact glucose levels. Monitoring catches any issues.
- Screening for other diseases: Diseases like Cushing's, liver, or kidney conditions can raise blood glucose unexpectedly.
- Catching glucose curve patterns: Multiple spaced-out readings provide insights into how levels rise and fall each day.
**How is a Veterinary Blood Glucose Test Performed?
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The most common way to obtain a blood glucose reading is with a small needle prick to a pet's ear or paw pad. Only a tiny amount of blood, about 1-2 drops, is needed. Alternatively, a veterinarian may draw blood from a vein.
The blood sample is then placed on a specialized test strip inserted into a glucose meter. The meter uses an electrochemical reaction between the blood glucose and chemicals on the strip to provide a reading within seconds. Results appear digitally on the meter's screen in units of mg/dL.
Whole blood, plasma or serum can be tested. Glucose levels may vary slightly depending on which is used, so it's important to be consistent when tracking trends over time. Fasting glucose checks require withholding food overnight or for 10-12 hours prior.
Managing High and Low Veterinary Blood Glucose Results High or low glucose readings require different pet owner responses:
High levels (over 180 mg/dL): Monitor closely for diabetes symptoms. Review insulin protocol with vet if animal is treated. Schedule recheck to ensure improvement.
Moderately high (130-180 mg/dL): No immediate action needed but recheck in a week. Changes to diet, exercise or vet follow up may be advised.
Low levels (under 70 mg/dL): Feed sugary foods like wet food, honey or nutritional gel immediately. Recheck in 15 minutes to ensure correction. Contact vet if repeated lows occur.
Catching and appropriately managing glucose abnormalities helps avoid serious health issues in pets. Prompt attention from owners paired with veterinary oversight can optimize any treatment plan over the long term.
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