Objective

The aim of this study was to compare the methods of spectrophotometry and digital glucose measurement to obtain blood glucose values of canines.

Methods

Capillary blood samples from mouth (upper lip), pinna (inner side), and venous blood (cephalic vein) of 75 canines of different ages, sex, and breeds were collected in the city of Villavicencio (Meta), Colombia. A digital glucometer, OneTouch UltraSoft, was used to determine blood glucose values in samples of mouth, ear, and cephalic vein. Spectrophotometric measurement using the Trinder method was performed for the sample of the cephalic vein.

Results

In general, the measurements with the meter showed low association with far spectrophotometry; Pearson correlations were mainly low to moderate relative to the measures taken in the ear. Measurements with venous blood glucometer are the ones most associated with the values obtained by spectrophotometry (correlation of 0.571). It was adjusted by regression to predict glucose measurements spectrophotometry using glucometer measures venous blood; however, the regression explained only 32% of the variation.

Conclusions

It can be concluded that the most appropriate place for digital glucose measurement is the cephalic vein compared with capillary blood samples from the inside of the lip and ear. The glucometer could be used to make quick decisions, but not to perform a reliable diagnosis.