Evaluation of a veterinary glucometer for use in horses
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Published on: April 25, 2016
1Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA. eileen.hackett@colostate.edu
Background:
Glucose assessment and regulation are important factors in the treatment of hospitalized horses and foals.
Hypothesis/Objectives:
The purpose of this study was to compare glucose measurement by a veterinary glucometer, adjusted by code for use in horses and foals, to a reference chemistry analyzer. It was hypothesized that the veterinary glucometer and reference analyzer would yield similar results and that interpretation of glucose values obtained from a veterinary glucometer would result in clinically appropriate decisions.
Animals:
Fifty blood samples from adult horses and 50 blood samples from neonatal foals admitted to the Colorado State University Veterinary Hospital or Equine Reproduction Laboratory for evaluation.
Methods:
Glucose concentrations from fresh whole blood samples were evaluated in duplicate with a veterinary glucometer and these values were compared with those obtained with a reference plasma chemistry analyzer. The accuracy of glucometer measurement was evaluated with a Clarke error grid.
Results:
The veterinary glucometer accurately measured whole blood glucose concentrations in both horses and foals when compared with a reference plasma chemistry analyzer. Nearly 97% of the glucometer values obtained in this study would have resulted in appropriate clinical decisions based on the Clarke error grid analysis.
Conclusions And Clinical Importance:
The veterinary glucometer evaluated has potential utility for point-of-care whole blood glucose evaluation in both horses and foals.
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