Use of hand-held meter in monitoring sheep ketone and glucose concentrations

Abstract

Due to the high mortality and morbidity rates of pregnancy toxemia in small ruminants there needs to be improved practical on-site monitoring for blood ketone and glucose levels. More timely intervention based on animal-side diagnostics may improve pregnancy toxemia outcomes. The objective of this study was to validate use of the CentriVet® hand-held meter for on-farm testing of blood glucose and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) concentrations during late pregnancy in meat-breed sheep.