Ask the Vet: Monitor Diabetic Pet’s Blood Sugar Levels at Home

There are several ways to check your pet's blood glucose level, including a sensor that reports it wirelessly to a scanner or your smartphone. Andrey_Popov/Shutterstock

Q: Pebbles, my 9-year-old terrier, was diagnosed with diabetes several months ago. I give her insulin injections and monitor her diabetes with urine test strips. Is there a better way to determine how well her diabetes is being controlled?

A: Diabetes mellitus arises most often in middle-aged dogs, usually around 7 to 9 years of age. Three-fourths of diabetic dogs are female.