Glucotest®

Introduction

So many factors can affect a diabetic cat's glycemic control from day to day. From the amount of insulin actually delivered, to the quantity and type of diet consumed, exercise and even stress. Glucotest is a simple, accurate at-home way to determine the amount of glucose in a cat's urine. It may assist in monitoring a diabetic cat's condition at home. Clients can work in conjunction with you to achieve optimal glucose control. Glucotest is added to the usual cat box filler and reacts to urine with distinct color changes to indicate the level of glucose in a cat's urine. Clients read the color change and compare with the Color Chart in the pamphlet (the color change on the Glucotest pieces is stable for at least eight hours). Glucotest pieces that have changed color should be read daily and removed from the litter box.


After five days of testing, clients discard the entire contents of the litter box and return to normal litter box preparation and care. Color changes other than those consistent with the Color Chart should be ignored. If there is more than one cat, the cat being tested should be isolated with its own litter box. Clients should contact their veterinarian with their cat's Glucotest results.


To help minimize fluctuations in blood glucose levels, Purina® Veterinary Diets® DM Diabetes Management® brand Feline Formula provides patients with a revolutionary diet high in protein and low in carbohydrates. Together with the Purina Veterinary Diets® Glucotest® brand Feline Urinary Glucose Detection System, this system can help veterinarians feel more confident that their diabetic patients are being well managed at home.

Instructions

STEP 1
Start with a clean litter box. Use mild soap and warm water to clean the box. Do not use bleach or other strong sanitizing cleaners as they can alter the accuracy of Glucotest.

STEP 2
Fill the cat's litter box with approximately 1-1/2 inches of litter, or about half of what you would normally use. CAUTION: Do not add baking soda products to the litter as this can alter the accuracy of Glucotest.

STEP 3
Add the entire contents of one Glucotest packet to the litter and blend completely into the litter using a clean, dry utensil. Do not touch the indicator pieces with your skin as this may cause a "false positive" response.

STEP 4
Place the litter box in a dry area away from humidity. Humid areas such as damp basements and bathrooms may affect the accuracy of results and should be avoided.

STEP 5
Check the cat's litter box several times within a 12-hour period for a distinct color change in the Glucotest pieces. Use the Color Chart included in this pamphlet and record observations. If a clumping/scooping litter is used, clients might have to break open the clumps to observe Glucotest pieces which have come in direct contact with the cat's urine.

Color Chart
After the cat has urinated on Glucotest pieces, use the Color Chart on the package to determine the approximate glucose level in the cat's urine.

Glucose levels in the urine will cause visible color changes in the indicator pieces.

Clients should be urged to consult their veterinarian with the test results.

NOTE: If two different color changes on one or more Glucotest pieces are observed, interpret the lower glucose level.

Common Questions
Q. What does a color change of Glucotest mean?

A. A color change indicates the presence of glucose (sugar) in the cat's urine. Higher concentrations of glucose result in a more intense color change.

Q. How should Glucotest be utilized if I have more than one cat?

A. Unless you can observe the cat's urination in the litter box and immediately check the response of the indicator material, it is best to isolate the cat being monitored. It is important not to create stress for the cat so this isolation should be limited to periods when the cat typically uses its litter box, such as after feeding or drinking. Sometimes cats in multiple cat households will show a preference for one litter box over another and this habit can also be used to help assure that the proper cat is monitored.

Q. What will happen if Glucotest is left in the litter box for longer than five days?

A. The reliability of the indicator will decrease beyond five days, losing sensitivity to the presence of glucose in the cat's urine.

Q. What kind of litter should be used when using Glucotest?

A. Changing cat box fillers can be stressful for a cat. Fortunately, Glucotest can be used with most brands of cat box fillers, both scooping and conventional clay fillers and non-clay fillers. CAUTION: Do not add baking soda products to the litter as this can alter the accuracy of Glucotest.

QUESTIONS: If you have questions or comments about this product, call the Veterinary Resource Center at 1-800-222-VETS (8387), weekdays 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. CT.

Please Note
CAUTION: Outside factors such as baking soda, bleach, or other household cleaning products can cause a false color change in the Glucotest pieces. Store package at room temperature (55-80 degrees Fahrenheit) in a dry area.

SAFETY: Keep out of reach of small children. Avoid prolonged contact with skin. For external monitoring only.

FIRST AID: By contact-wash with plenty of soap and water. By ingestion-give plenty of water. Call your physician.

REACTIVE INGREDIENTS: Peroxidase, Glucose Oxidase, Starch, Potassium Iodide, and 4-Aminoantipyrine.

NON-REACTIVE INGREDIENTS: Tartrazine, Citric Acid, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Dextran, Buffers and Preservatives.

Glucotest is not intended for home diagnosis of feline diabetes mellitus. It is intended to help monitor the glucose level in cat's urine at home. Results of an in-home test should be reported to the client's veterinarian