Evaluation of a continuous glucose monitoring system in diabetic dogs

The generation of a blood glucose curve is important for assessing the response to insulin therapy in diabetic dogs. Disadvantages of this technique include patient discomfort and the potential for missing transient hypo- or hyperglycaemic episodes. The aim of the current study was to evaluate a continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS) for use in diabetic dogs. Interstitial fluid glucose concentrations were recorded in 10 diabetic dogs, every five minutes for up to 48 hours, using a subcutaneous sensor attached to the CGMS device. Blood glucose concentrations were measured simultaneously using a glucometer. The correlation between interstitial fluid and blood glucose values was 0.81 (P < 0.01). The largest discrepancies between the two sets of data were seen during the one- to three-hour period following feeding, suggesting that postprandial hyperglycaemia might not be reflected in the interstitial fluid. The authors conclude that the CGMS is a potentially valuable tool in the management of canine diabetic patients.