Glucose Monitoring
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Suggested Protocols: Glucose Testing  Check 12 cows from each feeding group as a random sampling size. Obtain a small amount of whole blood from the caudal vein, 1/2 mL is more than enough. After calibrating your meter, insert a BHBCheckTM Plus Glucose test strip into your meter. Once it is ready, apply 1 drop of whole blood from the syringe to the tip of the test strip. Record your results and share with or compare to your veterinarian’s suggested ranges for blood glucose. Easy-to-use cow-side test. Tests for both BHB and Glucose in whole blood—no need to send samples to the laboratory. Results in 5 seconds (BHB) and 7 seconds (glucose). Monitoring Whole Blood Glucose in Your Herd Blood testing for both BHB and glucose are gold standard as opposed to less accurate urine dipsticks or milk powders. Be sure to avoid over-conditioning dry cows. Ensure adequate feed bunk spacing for close-up and fresh cows. Avoid overcrowding, heat stress, and unnecessary stress during the transition and fresh periods. Discuss ketosis and hypo/hyperglycemia incidence in your herd with your veterinarian. Test fresh cows for BHB and glucose levels. Your Partner in Milk Quality and Animal Health Intended Use: This test is intended solely as an on-farm screening test. Consult a veterinarian before starting any treatment. DL0130 1 Whittendale Drive, Suite E Moorestown, NJ 08057 856.

Glucose is an essential nutrient that provides energy for functions in major cells, tissues, red blood cells, and the mammary gland. In cows, glucose is a product of carbohydrate digestion. Rumen microorganisms digest carbs into glucose, and glucose is rapidly fermented to volatile fatty acids (VFA). VFA are oxidized for energy in the liver using a process called gluconeogenesis. During the early lactation period after calving, the mammary gland requires an extreme amount of glucose which can send cows into a state of negative energy balance (ketosis) since they often cannot consume enough...