Do you suspect your canine companion has diabetes? Find out all about testing and monitoring for diabetes in dogs.
What tests are suggested for the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus in dogs?
Generally, the following screening tests are performed when diabetes mellitus is suspected: a complete blood count (CBC), a serum biochemistry profile, and a urinalysis.
Why so many tests? Can’t diabetes be diagnosed by an elevated blood sugar value alone?
Elevated fasting blood and urine glucose (sugar) values are absolutely essential for the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, but other screening tests provide additional information regarding the severity of diabetes, any conditions that may be contributing to diabetes, and any complications related to the diabetic state.
Because diabetes mellitus is usually diagnosed in middle-aged to older dogs, your dog may have other unrelated conditions that need to be managed along with diabetes. The screening tests will usually alert us to any such conditions.
See more information about diabetes in dogs here »
© LifeLearn Inc.
