If your dog has been diagnosed with diabetes, you're likely going to be asked to take frequent blood samples at home to test the dog's blood glucose levels. This allows you to adjust the amount of insulin and/or make changes in your pet's diet. Any adjustments should be made only after consulting your dog's veterinarian. In dogs, using the upper lip as the source of the blood draw seems to work best and is relatively painless to most canines.
Instructions
1. Wash your hands with hot water and soap and dry them.
2. Hold the dog in your lap if he's small. Have your medium or large dog lie beside you on the floor.
3. Roll back the dog's upper lip.
4. Wipe the inside of the lip dry with a cotton ball, just on the side from which you intend to obtain your sample.
5. Prick the lip with the lancet, above the lip edge and towards the back of the dog's mouth.
6. Use your palm to block the dog's tongue. This is necessary so that the dog doesn't lick away the blood before you can collect it.
7. Squeeze the lip between your thumb and index finger to get the blood flowing.
8. Apply the glucose test strip to the spot of blood.
9. Hold a cotton ball to the lip for a few seconds to stop any bleeding.
10. Give your dog lots of praise and hugs and tell her how good she was for the procedure.
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