When your pet is first diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, there are various supplies you will need to properly treat its condition. Besides insulin or oral medication; syringes or an insulin pen; and a glucometer, glucometer test strips, and lancets for hometesting blood glucose levels, you will need:
- For hometesting:
- A rice sock if you will be taking capillary blood from the pet's ear. The rice sock is warmed in the microwave and used to warm the ear so that blood flows more freely. You can put whole grain rice into an old sock and either sew or tie the end of the sock.
- Facial tissues or cotton pads to stem the flow of blood after you have drawn what you need for the test.
- Peroxide or an antibiotic ointment (such as Neosporin) to place on the test site when finished.
- For hypoglycemia: