Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) Used on a Pug to Track Blood Sugar Levels, Marking a Rare Use of the Device on a Pet

The CGM is a small, circular patch, slightly larger than a Rs 10 coin, placed on the abdomen or nape of the animal. It continuously monitors glucose levels and transmits the readings to a linked mobile phone via an app.

A three-year-old pug in Mumbai has been fitted with a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to track his blood sugar levels closely. The dog, named Nikki and suffering from uncontrolled diabetes, was admitted to the veterinary hospital in Parel on Friday, where the device is helping to manage his condition effectively.

The CGM, a small, circular patch, slightly larger than a Rs 10 coin, is placed on the animal's abdomen or nape and continuously monitors glucose levels, transmitting the readings to a linked mobile phone via an app. The device remains active for two weeks before it needs to be replaced.

At the time of admission, the pug, who is also on insulin therapy, had dangerously high blood sugar levels of over 400 mg/dl, compared to the normal range of 80-120 mg/dl. The sensor is helping doctors adjust insulin doses more effectively.

"This is a rare occasion on which we have used the CGM on a pet. It helps monitor blood glucose," said Dr Chandrakant Galdhar, professor of medicine at Mumbai Veterinary College, which is treating the dog. He noted that while such sensors have become common for humans to manage diabetes, their use in veterinary care is still uncommon.

Without the CGM, monitoring the dog’s blood sugar would have required frequent pricks using a glucometer, which can be distressing for pets. "Often, pets don't cooperate… they can be just like children," said Dr Rajiv V Gaikwad, head of the medicine department at Mumbai Veterinary College, affiliated with Bai Sakarbai Dinshaw Petit Hospital for Animals (Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University).

Describing the difficulties in getting pets to cooperate with medical procedures, Dr Gaikwad said, "We try to keep them comfortable. We used to prick Nikki's ear with a glucometer to check his glucose levels, but he used to move about a lot."

The pug's owner, Vaishnavi Mali, a Wadala resident, said that her dog was in a lot of pain due to repeated needle pricks.

"They used to draw blood from Nikki's ear for glucose tests. We agreed to use the sensor to ease Nikki’s pain," she told Times of India.

Apart from diabetes, Nikki also has high cortisol levels, which doctors suspect could be linked to his rising blood sugar.

“We have started administering medication to suppress the high cortisol levels,” said Dr Gaikwad.

The rise in lifestyle diseases like diabetes, cholesterol, and obesity in pets is concerning, noted Dr Mayur Dangar, manager at the hospital. He urged people to prepare home-cooked food for their pets and encourage them to exercise regularly to prevent such conditions.

While the glucose sensor is a useful innovation, its high cost and limited compatibility with mobile devices remain challenges. However, concerns about the device’s durability during movement or baths have not been observed yet, said Dr Galdhar.

For now, the pug remains in the hospital where he is being observed closely as the veterinary surgeons monitor the effectiveness of the CGM technology in veterinary care.