Countryfile last night

[Vicsetter]

Thought you might be interested on Countryfile last night a Vet was taking a blood sample from a cow's tail and then use it to test for Ketones using an Optium Xceed meter.

 

[Northerner]

Isn't it funny when you spot something like that? I remember once seeing a programme where they were trying to see what range wild goats covered and they attached a Garmin Forerunner to them - which is the wristwatch-style GPS I use when out running! 🙂

(note to self: blood tests can be taken from tail if other sites not available...😱)

 

[Copepod]

It did tempt me to test our cat's and ducks' blood glucose levels, to add to my list of immunising cats & cattle, injecting spawning hormone stimulation into starfish, and IM, SC & IV injections in humans.

Cat and ducks remain un-needled!

 

[Caroline]

Thought you might be interested on Countryfile last night a Vet was taking a blood sample from a cow's tail and then use it to test for Ketones using an Optium Xceed meter.

I spotted it and no one in my house believed me

 

[novorapidboi26]

was the result good or bad.............🙂

 

[trophywench]

1.20 - but then do any of us know what it should have been?

I burst out laughing when I saw it ! Then wondered if they'd test her BG 'n' all .....

 

[lizabetic]

exactly why were they testing for ketones in the first place ? hah!

 

[caffeine_demon]

It did tempt me to test our cat's and ducks' blood glucose levels,

So - do different animals have different ranges for acceptible BG levels?

 

[Copepod]

So - do different animals have different ranges for acceptible BG levels?

I assume they do, or at least, very much doubt that relatively distantly related species such as duck, cat and human have the same ranges, in the same way that they have different body temperature ranges, respiration rates, heart rates, gestation periods etc. I wouldn't inflict a blood test on any cat or duck if I didn't know the range, same as I would only test a human if I knew how to interpret / use the the result.

 

[Northerner]

I know that cats and dogs are pretty much the same as humans.

 

[Robster65]

I know hedgehogs are similar. I looked it up a while back and the range is different but close enough.

I would guess it depends on their needs for glucose and instant muscle fuel. Cats might need a slightly higher BG in case they have to pounce

Rob

ps. just checked again and it's 1.3 - 5.9 mmol/l for hedgehogs. Not sure if that includes hibernation.
source: http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/s/00Ref/Biochemistry/Bioch_1HHog.htm#Biochemistry

 

[Northerner]

I know hedgehogs are similar. I looked it up a while back and the range is different but close enough.

I would guess it depends on their needs for glucose and instant muscle fuel. Cats might need a slightly higher BG in case they have to pounce

Rob

I read that cats and dogs will show lower on home monitors than they would on a vet's monitor, so this needs to be taken into account - 2.7 or below is a cat hypo 🙂

 

[Robster65]

Apparently non-diabetic cats are about the same as us but can withstand up to about 15mmol/l without adverse effects.

Dogs are apparently less resilient and will suffer complications above about 12mmol/l.

So not so different at all. 🙂

Rob

 

[Robster65]

I read that cats and dogs will show lower on home monitors than they would on a vet's monitor, so this needs to be taken into account - 2.7 or below is a cat hypo 🙂

The numbers I found seem to be 'aimed for' values to avoid risk of hypos. Must be awful to have to try and keep a loved pet within range. 😱

They can hardle come and ask for a jelly baby. Although to be fair, any dog would probably do that anyway 🙄

Rob

 

[Northerner]

But what about cows?

 

[Copepod]

And what about ducks, both Muscovies and other domestic ducks - they're different species for those who don't know.

Sticking a lancet in a hedgehog would be a challenge 🙂

 

[D_G]

Apparently non-diabetic cats are about the same as us but can withstand up to about 15mmol/l without adverse effects.

Dogs are apparently less resilient and will suffer complications above about 12mmol/l.

So not so different at all. 🙂

Rob

This may be a stupid question but i have to ask...is that the reason why you shudnt give dogs chocolate???

Just thinking as there is probably hardly any sugar in dog food/meaty treats etc... so maybe when u give them chocolate it sends their BG up into a dangerous level and thats why they get ill??? 😱

 

[Robster65]

Can't find values for cows.

Or ducks. Most links refer to supplements for humans containing duck/chicken/etc but no actual values. Could try Merck online.

Hogs are very good at pricking my fingers but I wouldn't fancy the other way round. They're good at biting when they get scared.🙄

Rob

 

[Northerner]

This may be a stupid question but i have to ask...is that the reason why you shudnt give dogs chocolate???

Just thinking as there is probably hardly any sugar in dog food/meaty treats etc... so maybe when u give them chocolate it sends their BG up into a dangerous level and thats why they get ill??? 😱

No, I think there is an ingredient in chocolate that is toxic to them

 

[Robster65]

This may be a stupid question but i have to ask...is that the reason why you shudnt give dogs chocolate???

Just thinking as there is probably hardly any sugar in dog food/meaty treats etc... so maybe when u give them chocolate it sends their BG up into a dangerous level and thats why they get ill??? 😱

Not a stupid question.

Chocolate contains theobromine, a poison, which we can metabolise fairly quickly but dogs and many other animals can't and it builds up to dangerous levels. I think horses are another animal that can die from it fairly quickly.

Rob