Dog Glucometer Vs. Human Glucometer

Human glucometers are sometimes used to measure the dog’s insulin level. However, using this material can provide inaccurate results. On the other hand, dogs can be used to help you monitor your blood sugar effectively.

Dog Glucometer Vs. Human Glucometer

If you are taking care of a diabetic dog, it is best to have a device that can monitor blood glucose levels at home. Glucometers for humans and pets are available in the market to easily monitor your blood pressure levels. It is also an effective way to identify if your medication is working well.

Human glucometer is inexpensive compared to the animal variant. However, using the dog glucometer will give you accurate measurements since it is specifically made for dogs. Research already revealed a wide discrepancy once human glucometer is used for dogs and vice-versa.

Can You Use a Human Glucometer on Dogs?

The quick answer is yes; a human glucometer can be used for your diabetic dog. However, do not expect an exact measurement if you want to use this device. According to medical journals, point-of-care glucometers can easily measure a species’ blood glucose. However, there is also a risk of cross-contamination of the blood of humans and dogs, which can be risky at some point.

The difference is estimated at around 75% to 80%, which can be pretty risky, especially for dog breeds prone to diabetes. It will also not help to identify if the medication is working effectively for your pet. The best answer is to purchase your pet its own dog glucometer.

Can You Test a Dog’s Blood Sugar at Home?

You can use a pet-specific glucose meter at home and test your dog efficiently. However, adequate blood glucose monitoring is required to manage your pet’s diabetes properly. While the glucose measurement procedure is the same for both animals and humans, the results will vary depending on the device used.

Human glucose meter, once used for dogs, can deliver inaccurate results. The main reason it cannot deliver specific metering is the differences in the distribution of glucose between dogs and humans.

58% of human glucose is located in the plasma, while the remaining 42% is located in the red blood cells.
5% of dog’s glucose is located in the plasma, while the remaining 12.5% is located in the red blood cells.

What Breeds of Dogs Are Prone to Diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus or canine diabetes is a condition that affects the glucose content of your dog’s blood. Canine diabetes occurs when your pet creates a minimal amount of insulin, a chemical regulating blood glucose.

This condition is common for middle-aged dogs up to senior dogs. It is estimated that 1 out of 300 dogs possess this condition. Several dog species are already prone to diabetes. Listed below are those species:

Cocker Spaniels
Dachshunds
Doberman Pinschers
German Shepherds
Golden Retrievers
Keeshond
Labrador Retrievers
Miniature Schnauzers
Pomeranians
Samoyeds
Terriers
Toy Poodles

How Often Do I Need to Check My Dog’s Glucose?

Two types of canine diabetes affect the overall dog’s health. Insulin-deficiency diabetes occurs when your dog’s blood is not producing enough insulin. On the other hand, insulin-resistance diabetes is when insulin is still available. Still, the body is not utilizing it to regulate blood sugar.

Suppose you suspect that your dog is having indicators of diabetes mellitus.

Then, it would be best if you regulate your pet’s blood glucose level. If you have a dog glucometer at home, you can conduct blood monitor as often as possible. For a general blood glucose measurement in veterinary, it might need every one to three months.

What Is a Normal Blood Sugar Level for A Dog?

For a healthy dog, its glucose concentration must be maintained within the narrow range. Identifying your dog’s blood glucose curve will help you easily measure your dog’s blood sugar while monitoring the effectiveness of the insulin products as well. Your diabetic dog must maintain a level between 100–250 mg/dL daily to reduce the symptoms associated with diabetes effectively.

Can Dogs Measure Blood Sugar in Humans?

Humans with diabetes may have difficulty measuring and monitor their blood sugar levels constantly. In addition, conducting hourly measurements of blood sugar can be challenging for those already weakened by this condition. Good thing, Diabetic Alert Dogs are available to assist when using a glucometer.

Scientists confirmed that medical detection dogs measure the human’s blood sugar by sniffing human’s isoprene. This chemical is released through breathing. Therefore, isoprene levels can effectively identify if a person has diabetes.

Diabetic Alert Dogs are qualified to detect the rise and fall of the human’s glucose level before the human can experience any of its symptoms. This can help a diabetic person to prepare their medications before conditions worsen on their side quickly.

How Should Your Dog’s Blood Sugar Be Measured?

During the home monitoring for your diabetic dog, blood is collected from your pet’s pinna (earflap).

Make sure that your dog’s ear is warm. This indicates that blood is flowing in this area—making blood collection easier. If not, hold it between your fingers for a warm minute.
Clean your dog’s ear with isopropyl alcohol. Then, use a sterilized lancet or hypodermic needle to prick your dog’s ear.
Collect the blood drops using the glucose test strip or dog glucometer.
Press some cotton swab around your dog’s ear until bleeding stops.
Check the results.

How To Do Make Sure Dog Blood Sugar Is Normal?

A stable dog that shows signs of diabetes must have a blood glucose range of about 5–12 mmol/l (90–216 mg/dl) within the 24-hour observation period. Blood and urine samples are required to ensure the dog’s blood sugar is in good shape.

If your dog’s glucose concentration in the blood is consistently higher than the normal range, it is an indicator of minimal insulin production or distribution.

Your veterinarian might suggest you learn the basics of blood sugar monitoring to check your pet’s blood glucose periodically. Check for the signs that your dog is probably diabetic: