How to take blood sugar from a dog? - briefly
To measure a dog's blood sugar level, you will need a glucometer designed for pet use and test strips. Gently prick your dog's paw pad with a lancet, squeeze a small drop of blood onto the test strip, and insert it into the glucometer to get the reading.
How to take blood sugar from a dog? - in detail
To accurately measure your dog's blood sugar levels, you need to follow a series of steps that ensure both safety and precision. This process involves some preparation and careful handling to obtain an accurate reading.
-
Preparation: Before you begin, gather all necessary materials including a glucometer designed for pets (human glucometers are not suitable), test strips compatible with the glucometer, an alcohol pad or swab, cotton balls, and a lancet device that is safe and comfortable for your dog.
-
Calm Environment: Choose a quiet place where your dog feels relaxed. A stressed dog may have elevated blood sugar levels due to the release of stress hormones, which can affect the accuracy of the reading.
-
Warm-up: Gently massage your dog's ear for about 10-15 seconds to increase blood flow. This makes it easier to obtain a drop of blood and ensures that you get an accurate reading.
-
Cleaning: Use the alcohol pad or swab to clean the inner surface of your dog’s ear, specifically around the edge where there is less hair. This step is crucial to prevent infection and ensure that no contaminants interfere with the test results.
-
Lancing: Gently insert the lancet into the glucometer if it has a built-in lancer. If not, use the separate lancet device to prick your dog’s ear. Be careful and swift to minimize discomfort. The lancet should be designed for pet use to ensure it doesn't cause excessive pain or damage.
-
Blood Collection: After lancing, gently squeeze the edge of your dog's ear to produce a small drop of blood. Use the cotton ball to dab at the pricked area and collect the blood sample.
-
Testing: Place the test strip into the glucometer and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for applying the blood sample. Typically, you will touch the edge of the test strip with the blood-soaked cotton ball.
-
Reading the Result: Wait for the glucometer to display the result. The reading should be in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) if you are using a pet-specific glucometer. Normal blood sugar levels for dogs usually range between 70-120 mg/dL, but it's always best to consult with your veterinarian for specific interpretations based on your dog’s health and history.
-
Disposal: Safely dispose of all used materials, including the lancet and test strip, following local regulations for medical waste.
-
Record Keeping: Keep a record of each blood sugar reading along with the date and time. This information can be invaluable for your veterinarian when monitoring your dog’s health over time.
By following these detailed steps, you can effectively measure your dog's blood sugar levels at home, ensuring that you have accurate data to share with your vet. Always consult a veterinary professional before performing any medical procedures on your pet.