EVALUATION OF A SIMPLIFIED INTRAVENOUS GLUCOSE-TOLERANCE TEST AND A REFLECTANCE GLUCOSE METER FOR USE IN CATS

A simplified intravenous glucose tolerance test has been developed for use in domestic cats and the results compared with those obtained usi ng the standard test, The simplified test used two cephalic catheters, implanted in unsedated, unanaesthetised cats three hours before the t est, Blood samples were collected before and after intravenous adminis tration of glucose (0.5 g/kg bodyweight). Blood glucose concentration was measured with a reflectance glucose meter and an automated chemist ry analyser, There were no significant differences between the results derived from the two tests, Because the simplified glucose tolerance test is easier to perform, requires no anaesthesia, uses only cephalic catheters and can be done on an outpatient basis, it is more cost eff ective and more clinically applicable, There were no significant diffe rences between the results of glucose measurements with the two machin es and the simplified glucose tolerance test can therefore be carried out with the reflectance glucose meter.