If your pet has been diagnosed with diabetes, it is very important to periodically monitor their blood glucose levels so we can determine the best insulin dose for them. A great way to help guide your pet’s individual plan is to utilize a device called a FreeStyle Libre, which makes monitoring blood glucose levels easy for you and your veterinarian.
What is a FreeStyle Libre?
A FreeStyle Libre is a flash glucose monitoring system that records glucose readings every minute for up to 14 days. It is a lightweight, small circular sensor with a tiny needle that is inserted under the skin. There is a mobile app for your smartphone available for IOS and Android users that can be paired with this sensor. The recorded data can be viewed directly on the reader and on a computer using a USB drive. We recommend reading the sensor with the recording device at least every 8 hours (usually before administering insulin) to ensure the data is being transferred.
To purchase the libre, your preferred veterinarian can send you a prescription to purchase the sensor at a pharmacy. For application of the libre, a technician appointment will be scheduled at one of our offices. We will use clippers to shave an area on your pet’s body, usually by the shoulder blades or neck. Then, we will clean the area well to ensure good contact between sensor and skin and apply a small amount of adhesive. Lastly, we will insert the sensor using the applicator. It takes at least 60 minutes for the sensor to link, and after that, you will be ready to scan! Click here for a visualization.
How to Scan at Home:
Scan the sensor using your smartphone. First, open the app and select the icon in the top right corner of the main screen. Hold the phone about 1.5 inches away from the sensor and wait for the glucose level to be displayed on the screen.
To use the FreeStyle Libre reader, turn the device on by pressing the button in the bottom right corner. Use the default settings when you set up your account, and make sure you share the account with our Metro Paws Animal Hospital Team so we can access your pet’s reports.
CAUTION: Even if you see unusually high or low readings from your pet’s FreeStyle Libre sensor, do not change your pet’s insulin dose on your own! Your veterinarian will monitor the results of your scans and let you know of any dosage adjustments that should be made. Regardless of the readings, please call us if your pet shows any outward signs of low blood sugar (trembling, weakness, panting, seizures and/or collapse) or high blood sugar (increased thirst, increased urination, depression or excessive hunger).
“Ducky” living his best life thanks to Libre.
How to Share Smartphone Results with Your Veterinarian
Depending on the pet and how well their diabetes is currently regulated, your veterinarian may recommend a recheck visit in 7-10 days to go over the graph results together, or sometimes the results can be discussed over e-mail. Your vet will tell you which one is preferred.
A word from our Oak Cliff medical director, Dr. Caitlin Spillers:
“I personally love using the FreeStyle Libre specifically for cats with diabetes. Cats are very sensitive to the stress of being hospitalized, especially when their blood is pulled multiple times for a glucose curve. This level of stress while hospitalized can increase a cat’s blood glucose significantly and lead to skewed or exaggerated results, potentially limiting the accuracy of our assessment and treatment. The advantage of the FreeStyle Libre is that we get a more accurate view of the cat in its day-to-day environment, which limits the stress response and can help us make the most appropriate decisions.”
Book an appointment with us today to learn more about managing your pet’s diabetes.