A veterinary-calibrated point-of-care glucometer accurately measures blood glucose concentration in dogs and cats.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical and analytical accuracy of a new veterinary-calibrated portable blood glucose monitor (PBGM) compared to a reference laboratory analyzer. ANIMALS: Client-owned dogs (n = 77) and cats (n = 64). METHODS: Peripheral and paired capillary whole-blood glucose concentrations measured via PBGM were compared to plasma glucose concentrations measured via a Cobas c501 reference analyzer (Roche). Analytical accuracy was evaluated with the Spearman rank correlation coefficient, Bland-Altman difference plot analysis, and Deming regression. Clinical accuracy was evaluated with Parkes error grid analysis. Paired peripheral and capillary blood samples were compared with the Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test. RESULTS: There was a high correlation between PBGM and reference analyzer readings in dogs and cats. Human quality assurance standards (International Organization for Standardization 15197:2013 guidelines) for analytical accuracy were met for 95% of feline peripheral blood samples and 89% of canine samples. Similar veterinary standards (American Society of Veterinary Clinical Pathology guidelines) were met for 89% of canine and 92% of feline peripheral blood glucose measurements. Error grid analysis showed that all peripheral canine and 97% of feline measurements were clinically accurate (zone A). Any altered clinical decision for the remaining feline measurements was expected to minimally impact outcome (zone B). No significant difference was found between peripheral and capillary blood glucose measurements in either species. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The PBGM produced clinically accurate results and is suitable for use in veterinary and home settings to measure blood glucose.

Serum vitamin D metabolite and acute-phase protein concentrations are frequently abnormal in a cohort of hospitalized dogs and cats.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25[OH]2D) concentrations are associated with survival and negatively correlate with acute-phase protein (APP) concentrations in ill dogs and cats admitted to nursing care units. ANIMALS: Client-owned dogs (n = 79) and cats (16) admitted to 2 academic veterinary hospital nursing care units. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted between August 12, 2019, and October 26, 2021. A diagnostic laboratory measured 25(OH)D, 1,25(OH)2D, and haptoglobin (HPT) in dogs and cats; C-reactive protein (CRP) in dogs; and serum amyloid A (SAA) in cats. Serum was collected within 12 hours of admission. Illness severity (acute patient physiologic and laboratory evaluation [APPLEfast]) scores and survival data were recorded. RESULTS: Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were in the deficient range for 22 of 79 dogs and 2 of 16 cats. There were no associations between serum analyte concentrations (25[OH]D, 1,25[OH]2D, and APP) or APPLEfast score and survival in dogs or cats. In dogs, HPT was negatively correlated with 25(OH)D (P = .002; r = -0.34) and 1,25(OH)2D (P = .012; r = -0.28), while CRP was positively correlated with HPT (P = .001; r = 0.32) and APPLEfast score (P = .014; r = 0.16). In cats, 1,25(OH)2D was negatively correlated with APPLEfast scores (P = .055; r = -0.49) and SAA was positively correlated with HPT (P = .002; r = 0.73). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Serum 25(OH)D or 1,25(OH)2D was not associated with survival in our hospitalized patient population. Relationships between APP and serum vitamin D metabolites with APPLEfast scores in cats warrant further investigation as illness severity biomarkers.