Diabetes mellitus: Capillary Blood Sampling from the Ear

The thumb and index finger hold the top of the ear and the middle finger pushes the ear from the outer side of the ear against the “Microlet Vaculance” (Bayer Diagnostics) lancing device, which is in contact with the inner side of the ear.

After ~ 30 seconds an adequate amount of blood appears on the skin. Press the plunger 3/4 of the way down to release the negative pressure. The device is then removed and the drop of blood can be placed on the test strip for measurement of capillary blood glucose concentration using a portable blood glucose device.

Long-term management of diabetic dogs and cats relies on the owner's observations of clinical signs and on periodic evaluation by the veterinarian. The latter includes evaluation of the owner's observations, measurement of body weight and determination of blood glucose (BG) and serum fructosamine or glycated haemoglobin concentrations.
Although determination of the concentration of serum fructosamine or glycated haemoglobin concentrations is used to assess glycaemic control during the preceding 8 to 14 days or 1 to 2 months, respectively, blood glucose curves (BGC) are necessary to assess insulin efficacy, the glucose nadir, the duration of the effect of insulin and recog-nition of the Somogyi effect. However, there are several problems associated with determining BGC. They are time consuming and must be carried out in the hospital, because most owners cannot perform venipuncture at home. Hospitalization and difficult venipuncture are often stressful for the animal and thus, concentrations of BG may not reflect the animal's status at home.
These problems can be avoided with the described new method, which is so easy, that it can be performed by owner`s of diabetic animals at home.