Evaluation of low and high interstitial glucose concentrations in healthy, nondiabetic dogs using a flash glucose monitoring system.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Flash glucose monitoring systems (FGMS; FreeStyle Libre) are useful devices for managing diabetic patients. The FGMS is reportedly accurate for diabetic dogs with hyperglycemia and euglycemia but might underestimate glucose concentrations during hypoglycemia. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: Assess the frequency of low and high interstitial glucose (IG) concentrations recorded in healthy, nondiabetic dogs using FGMS. ANIMALS: Twenty-three hospital employee-owned dogs. METHODS: Prospective, observational study. The FGMS was placed on all dogs to record &#x2265;488 readings each over up to 14&#xa0;days. Interstitial glucose concentrations were analyzed to identify the frequency of low, normal, and high IG concentrations. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and comparisons between demographic cohorts were performed. RESULTS: During monitoring, 73.7% (14/19) of participants had at least one low IG concentration (<70&#xa0;mg/dL), whereas 26.3% (5/19) had at least one high IG concentration (>180&#xa0;mg/dL). The mean (&#xb1;SD) percentage of low and high IG concentrations per dog was 2.8&#xa0;&#xb1;&#xa0;4.3% and 0.8&#xa0;&#xb1;&#xa0;2.2%, respectively. Markedly decreased IG (<55&#xa0;mg/dL) and markedly increased (>250&#xa0;mg/dL) IG concentrations occurred in 63.2% (12/19) and 10.5% (2/19) of dogs, respectively. The frequency of low IG concentrations in dogs weighing 2.5-20.5&#xa0;kg (2.2%; interquartile range [IQR], 1.1-5.0) was higher (P&#xa0;=&#xa0;.02) than in dogs weighing 20.6-41.4&#xa0;kg (0.1%; IQR, 0.0-0.7%); the median difference was 2.1% (95% confidence interval, 0.6-10.1). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Low and high IG concentrations were recorded in healthy, nondiabetic dogs, providing a context for interpreting FGMS results in diabetic dogs.