Accuracy of a flash glucose monitoring system in dogs with DKA | VETgirl Veterinary Continuing Education Podcasts

VETgirl Veterinary Continuing Education Podcasts

In today's VETgirl online veterinary CE podcast, we discuss the use of flash glucose monitoring systems (FGMS) in the management of dogs with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Emerging evidence has promoted the use of FGMS devices for measuring interstitial glucose (IG) levels in diabetics, and using this information as a patient management tool. In fact, you may have even noticed commercials for such devices, which are becoming increasingly popular for humans with diabetes mellitus. Essentially the FGMS consists of a small, disc-shaped sensor that is placed on a shaved patch of skin, typically near the base of the neck in dogs. Interstitial glucose concentrations are read, and the data is stored and made available through a reader device, such as a smartphone. The ability to obtain more frequent glucose assessments without repeated blood draws is clearly appealing! While this device has been investigated in dogs with diabetes mellitus, there is little information about its performance specifically in the setting of DKA. Therefore, in a recent study by Malerba et al entitled Accuracy of a flash glucose monitoring system in dogs with diabetic ketoacidosis, the authors sought to assess the performance and accuracy of FGMS in dogs with DKA.