How to Perform an At-Home Blood Glucose Curve
🩸 Monitoring your pet’s blood sugar levels at home is one of the most helpful tools in managing diabetes. It allows your veterinary team to adjust insulin doses safely and effectively based on real-time trends in your pet’s glucose levels. A blood glucose curve helps us see how well your pet’s insulin is working throughout the day.
🐾 What You’ll Need:
A pet-specific glucometer (like AlphaTrak3)
Test strips
Lancets or medical needles
Cotton balls or gauze
A log sheet (paper or digital)
Treats and praise for your pet!
🕗 Step-by-Step Instructions:
Feed and give insulin as normal.
Start the curve the same time you usually feed your pet and administer insulin. Note the time.Take your first glucose reading just before insulin is given (this is your baseline).
Check blood glucose every 2 hours for 10–12 hours, or until your next scheduled meal and insulin dose.
Common testing times: 0 hr (pre-insulin), 2 hr, 4 hr, 6 hr, 8 hr, 10 hr, 12 hr
If your vet asks for more frequent checks (every 1–1.5 hours), follow their recommendation.
Use the recommended spot for sampling:
Cats: edge of the ear flap (pinna) or paw pad
Dogs: lip margin, ear flap, or callus on the elbow
Apply gentle pressure after the sample to stop bleeding.
Record each reading and the time it was taken.
Watch for signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia):
Weakness, shaking, disorientation, or seizures. If you notice these signs, stop the curve and call your vet right away.Keep your pet calm and comfortable during the curve. This helps reduce stress, which can affect glucose levels.
Send your vet the completed curve by email or bring your log to the next appointment. Include anything else unusual you observed (e.g., skipped meals, vomiting, behavior changes).
📌 Tips:
Give a tiny low-carb treat or a cuddle after each sample.
Practice makes perfect—don’t worry if it takes a few tries!
Never change your pet’s insulin dose without veterinary guidance.
