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  • #1

    Urine test strips?

    Hi everybody...

    Thoughts on urine test strips?

    I am not using my glucometer on Ruby right now, because I have to work on getting the insulin in first! She freaks out about the glucometer, yelps, takes off, gets all sweaty, etc, so not sure it would be accurate anyway. At any rate, she doesnt seem to bleed very easy, despite thick lancets and multiple pokes in multiple sites...maybe its the fight or flight response

    Vet says, we will go slow with Ruby, get used to insulin first, then introduce glucometer as when she is calmer and used to the insulin shots.

    She seems to have done well, no thirst or pee beyond normal, and full of energy.

    How on earth do you get the pee for the strip?
    Steph & Ruby - Red Min Pin, Age 13, Diabetes Diagnosed July 2012, On 4u Caninsulin twice a day, weight 4.5 kilos, struggles with IBD and Pancreatitis occassionally, food Royal Canine Gastro low fat, loves fruits & veggies, hobbies: Perimeter Security, Sleeping in blankets, car rides, walks, hiding and burying beanie babies.
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  • #2
    Re: Urine test strips?

    Originally posted by MinPin View Post
    Hi everybody...

    Thoughts on urine test strips?

    I am not using my glucometer on Ruby right now, because I have to work on getting the insulin in first! She freaks out about the glucometer, yelps, takes off, gets all sweaty, etc, so not sure it would be accurate anyway. At any rate, she doesnt seem to bleed very easy, despite thick lancets and multiple pokes in multiple sites...maybe its the fight or flight response

    Vet says, we will go slow with Ruby, get used to insulin first, then introduce glucometer as when she is calmer and used to the insulin shots.

    She seems to have done well, no thirst or pee beyond normal, and full of energy.

    How on earth do you get the pee for the strip?
    With the O being male, it's easy ... hold a cup to the stream and get what is needed. Easy as taking it from a drinking fountain.

    Many people with females use a long handle ladle.

    I've been using the urine test strips on Otis since day #1. To tell you the truth, I rely on his behaviors to let me know how he's doing.

    If I suspect he's running high because of increased thirst, or some other observations, I'll test his urine for glucose and ketones and proceed from there. Also have periodic curves done at the vet's office.

    As tough as it was for me to get him to accept the injections, I saw it as impossible to have him stand for he poking him with a lancet.
    Otis Farrell dx'd 12/10, best friend to his dad, Bill, for over 14 years. Left this world while in his dad’s loving arms 10/04/13. Sonny Farrell dx'd 1/14, adopted 5/15/14. Left this world while in his dad's loving arms 9/06/16. Run pain free, you Pug guys, til we're together again.

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    • #3
      Re: Urine test strips?

      I started with the urine test strips, and developed some techinque. Hold strip firmly in right hand (or dominant hand), grasp tail of dog in other hand, and lift just a little, and this should give you a clear view. Hold the strip under the pee stream for a couple of seconds and give it a shake and start counting.

      I seldom do it now, I've been testing her blood.

      When I first started testing her pee, my daughter was home for a few days, and was driven into the driveway by a friend just as I was bending down with the test strip. Um, said the friend, WHAT is your Mom doing with the dog?

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      • #4
        Re: Urine test strips?

        Tried the urine stix this morning...got a sample first try! Ketones negative, glucose 1/2 or 28 (middle of color chart) So I am assuming sugar is spilling, but anyone have any ideas on the numbers? Not sure on significance. Instructions aren't too clear. I wont be adjusting anything based on on stix, just wondering if anyone has better info or experience.

        Happy about the Ketones though.

        Sad about my cat, she went OTRB this morning...Ruby and I miss her terribly.

        MollyCat, RIP, you were lovely
        Steph & Ruby - Red Min Pin, Age 13, Diabetes Diagnosed July 2012, On 4u Caninsulin twice a day, weight 4.5 kilos, struggles with IBD and Pancreatitis occassionally, food Royal Canine Gastro low fat, loves fruits & veggies, hobbies: Perimeter Security, Sleeping in blankets, car rides, walks, hiding and burying beanie babies.

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        • #5
          Re: Urine test strips?

          Glad about ketones, but so sorry about your Mollycat. Losing these guys is so hard.

          I can't offer any guidance about the urine sticks.
          Tara in honor of Ruby.
          She was a courageous Boston Terrier who marched right on through diabetes, megaesophagus, and EPI until 14.
          Lucky for both of us we found each other. I'd do it all again girly.

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          • #6
            Re: Urine test strips?

            with regard to the stix, I've never used them, but one thing to remember is that it can be a delayed reading, because if you dog hasn't peed in a while, the glucose can collect in the urine in the bladder. So, it's helpful but not definitive.

            So very sorry about MollyCat! I lost two cats last summer, while dealing with my newly diagnosed diabetic dog. So, I get it. Very very sorry.
            Zoe: 12 yr old Black Lab/shepherd mix. Diagnosed 6/1/11. Currently on 15 units Novolin NPH 2x day, and hopefully as close to regulated as possible. Feeding merrick Grain Free Salmon and Sweet Potato. Weight 63lbs.

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            • #7
              Re: Urine test strips?

              I'm sorry about Mollycat.

              I use a disposable plastic tub if I need to transport the pee, otherwise I use a (dedicated for the purpose) low height bowl. No tail lifting, and Franklin doesn't seem to take it as an invasion of his privacy

              Jane and Franklin
              Jane and Franklin, 8 years, maltese, currently 6.4kg, Australia. Cushing's with elevated hormones dx'd 2009/2010, proteinuria, epilepsy, diabetes dx'd July 2012. Phenobarb 30mg bid, 3mg melatonin bid, lignans sid, caninsulin 4.8u bid (a work in progress). Diet- home cooked. Blind from cataracts January 2013, sighted from surgery February 2013.

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              • #8
                Re: Urine test strips?

                My red min pin has been diabetic for 5 years. I use a pie pan to catch his urine. I test multiple times per day to check for patterns. I know from glucose curves that when all is going well, he will reach his lowest blood sugar readings at about 11 to 12 noon. So, if I don't get a negative reading at those times, I will take him for a curve. We don't blood test at home.

                It's quite easy. You can compare his urine readings with your blood glucose curves as well and get some idea where he is. Urine testing is not as accurate as testing blood at home, but if it's all you can do, it's much much better than hoping your dog is okay.

                Good Luck!

                Pam and Pip

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                • #9
                  Re: Urine test strips?

                  My vet uses a ladle to catch the pee, very efficient.
                  Tara in honor of Ruby.
                  She was a courageous Boston Terrier who marched right on through diabetes, megaesophagus, and EPI until 14.
                  Lucky for both of us we found each other. I'd do it all again girly.

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                  • #10
                    Re: Urine test strips?

                    Thanks all!

                    its just a relief not to see ketones...Im still having trouble getting the insulin in her so havent been able to get glucometer readings yet...the strips at least give me a ballpark idea until then
                    Steph & Ruby - Red Min Pin, Age 13, Diabetes Diagnosed July 2012, On 4u Caninsulin twice a day, weight 4.5 kilos, struggles with IBD and Pancreatitis occassionally, food Royal Canine Gastro low fat, loves fruits & veggies, hobbies: Perimeter Security, Sleeping in blankets, car rides, walks, hiding and burying beanie babies.

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                    • #11
                      Re: Urine test strips?

                      So sorry to hear about your Mollycat! Is so hard to lose any of our babies!

                      I use a dixie cup to catch the urine so I can just dispose of it when done. Most of the time, I'm lucky and don't get peed on but every now and again! LOL Just love warm pee!
                      Shell and Hank (aka Mr. Pickypants) - now deceased (4/29/1999 - 12/4/2015) Cairn Terrier mix who was diagnosed 8/18/2011 and on .75 U Levemir 2Xday. Miss you little man!

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