Poll: How and Where you test your dog's blood sugar

[Fiery_WA]

If I may, suggest a Sticky please, as a noob to the dog diabetes forum, the sticky being types of Glucose Meters used, which would encompass the type of Lancing device used, where the best place is to take the blood from and finally the setting (number) used on the Lancing device on the area it is taken from.

[k9diabetes]

I think a thread on lances, lancing devices used and setting, meters used, and where tested would be good.


Just keep in mind that it won't tell you what will work for Penny. What works varies significantly from one dog to another.


There are some general things that can be said, such as thicker lancets usually work better and certain meters have established a reputation as working well generally.


I would ask people to simply report their experiences for what works for them rather than "recommending" anything in particular.


I try to keep Sticky threads to a minimum only because it pushes active threads about specific dogs so far down the list. But I think the testing thread could be useful.

So, all, if you'd like, go ahead and respond to this thread to describe what you use and how you test blood sugar with your dog.

Maybe start with just the facts in a simple list so it's easy to scan:

Where you test on your dog
Lances used (brand, gauge)
Whether you use a lancing device
Lancing device brand, model
Setting of the lancing device
Meter you use

Some things are interdependent. For example, lancing devices don't always work when testing thicker skin like the back at the base of the tail. And different spots on the body would likely require different settings on a lancing device.

Please take time especially to report the gauge of your lances and brand and the lancing device brand.

Thanks!

Natalie

[stylynjm]

I test on the carpal pads
using relion lancing device, set on 4 (highest setting)
I use 26 guage lancets
Relion confirm meter

[Danielle N]

We test on the tail
Use 28 gauge lancets - Freestyle Lite
Freestyle Lite lancing device - Setting #4
One Touch Ultra Meter

[k9diabetes]

And, if you've lost your diabetic dog, as I have, please post with what you used.

Where you test on your dog: upper inside lip

Lances used (brand, gauge): Accuchek Softclix - gauge isn't on the box but online it says they are 28 gauge. https://www.accu-chek.com/us/lancing.../softclix.html

Whether you use a lancing device: Yes

Lancing device brand, model: Accuchek Softclix, Multiclix is similar but preferred Softclix

Setting of the lancing device: 4-4.5

Meter you use: OneTouch Ultra - very close readings, within about 40 points of actual.

[Judi]

well, this was easy, I can just copy Natalie's answer

Where you test on your dog: upper inside lip

Lances used (brand, gauge): Accuchek Softclix

Whether you use a lancing device: Yes

Lancing device brand, model: Accuchek Softclix

Setting of the lancing device: 5

Meter you use: OneTouch Ultra - very close readings, within about 30 points of actual.

If I don't poke near her canine tooth, I don't get blood. If I let her have a small bite of freeze dried liver that helps to stimulate the blood.

[ceruleanblue]

Where you test on your dog: Shaved areas near base of tail
Lances used (brand, gauge): Relion 26g
Whether you use a lancing device: No, just hand poke. It helps to keep the area shaved down to skin, and to warm the area before lancing.

When I test our non-diabetic dog:
Where you test on your dog: Inner lip
Lances used (brand, gauge): Accu-chek Softclix 28G
Whether you use a lancing device: Yes
Lancing device brand/model and setting: Accuchek Softclix lancing device on the deepest setting (5 on mine, but I think the newer ones go higher).

Meter used: AlphaTrak 2 or One Touch Ultra 2

[harleychik66]

Where you test...I test on the inner lip. To further that I have found if you dry the area first with a paper towel it makes holding the lip up easier and not so slippery.

Lancing device brand, model...I do not use a lancing device I just make the punch/poke with the lancet by hand.

Lances/lancets used.... Any brand with a gauge of 26 or 28. Prefer the 26 gauge.

Meter...Relion Confirm. Runs about 30 points low of actual.

[CraigM]

Test location: Test on the ear

Lancing device: Think the lancing device is from the AlphaTrak kit, but not sure. Set to 4 (deepest). Didn't use a device for several years, just held the lancet and poked.

Lancet size: Been using 25 gauge for last several years (had to order because they aren't carried locally). Have also used 26 gauge, probably not much difference between 26 & 25.

Meter: Too many to count (7). Seem to rotate around the Walmart Relion Prime (low cost strips), AlphaTrak2 (most accurate, but $$$$ strips) and One Touch Ultra2 (reads close to the AlphaTrak for about ½ the price). Possible problem with the One Touch Ultra for new diabetics is that it requires the largest blood droplet. Meters & strips, with the exception of the Walmart Relion brands, are usually MUCH less expensive online than at local stores.

[jesse girl]

we test on the inner lip inline with the canine tooth

the lancing device is the relion brand but have used the onetouch with success but the spring was failing . we have used many more and they all work some better than others . usually use close to maximum setting

thin lances work fine for jesses lip

the meter we are currently using is the prodigy auto code but have used true trak, relion brand , one touch ultra and the nova max . they all worked well as far as consistency .