Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Dogs and Cats: Application of New Technology to an Old Problem

& BULL; Continuous glucose monitoring systems (CGMSs) emerged in 1999 as an innovative technology with the potential of revolutionizing diabetes management. Since then, several studies in human diabetology have shown their clinical benefits. & BULL; Nowadays, in small animal clinical practice, the Abbott FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system is the most commonly used CGMS. It has adequate clinical accuracy both in dogs and cats, even if, in the hypoglycemic range, the accuracy is lower. & BULL; These systems provide detailed glucose profiles, allowing more accurate detection of nadir and hypoglycemic episodes as compared with the glucose profiles generated by a portable BG meter. They also allow detailed identification of the glycemic excursions occurring throughout the day as well as of glucose variations on consecutive days. This enables the clinician to make a more informed decision regarding the insulin dose, taking into account intra-day glycemic excursion and day-to-day variations in glycemic control.