Cats with diabetic ketosis or ketoacidosis DK(A) require intensive glucose monitoring. The aim of this study was to assess the agreement between a portable blood glucose meter (PBGM) and a flash glucose monitoring system (FGMS; FreeStyle Libre 2.0 Abbott®) measuring interstitial glucose in cats with DK(A). Ten client-owned cats with naturally occurring DK(A) were prospectively enrolled. Glucose concentrations were assessed with both methods every 1-3 h until resolution of DK(A), and every 4-8 h thereafter. While the median FGMS measured glucose concentration (14.3 mmol/L) was significantly lower than the median PBGM measured glucose concentration (19 mmol/L) (p < 0.001), the overall correlation between the FGMS and PBGM was high (r = 0.88; p < 0.001). In the Parkes error grid analysis, 98.3% of measurements fell in zones A and B. Bland-Altman plot analysis demonstrated that in the low glycaemic range (BG < 5.5 mmol/L), 50% of FGMS measurements deviated more than ±0.83 mmol/L, and in the high glycaemic range (BG > 5.5 mmol/L), 81% of results deviated >15% from the PBGM measurements. There was significant inter-individual variation in the difference between glucose concentrations measured by the FGMS and PBGM (p < 0.001). In spite of being more easily tolerated and easier to use, currently this method cannot be recommended for routine monitoring of cats with DK(A).
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