Diabetic Dogs

[shmoo]

I have a diabetic dog and I am wondering how common it is for owners to take blood from their dog and test it?

I was never offered this option by the specialist vet when I picked him up. I have Keto-Diastix for urine and this tests Glucose and Ketones. Am I missing anything by not doing blood tests?

[baifra]

I had a diabetic dog for three years and I took her blood often.

I bought a glucometer from the chemist and tested her when she was a bit 'off', lethargic or drinking a lot of water.

To start with I took the glucometer to the vet and compared their readings to mine to find out how comparable they were and went from there.

I took her blood from her 'elbows' where the skin was rough. Dogs usually have blood taken from their gums for Blood Sugar readings but I didn't like the thought of that so experimented and found the least painful and most convienient spot was her elbow. She was fine with it.