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Chemical in the breath 'could flag low blood sugar'
dog nose
"Humans aren’t sensitive to the presence of isoprene, but dogs with their incredible sense of smell, find it easy to identify and can be trained to alert their owners about dangerously low blood sugar levels.
New study may explain canine detection abilities
 
Cambridge scientists say a chemical found in the breath may act as a warning for low blood sugar levels in people with type 1 diabetes. They believe their research could help to explain how some dogs can be trained to detect falling blood sugar levels.

The findings, which have been published in Diabetes Care, show that a naturally occurring chemical rose significantly when eight women with the condition became hypoglycaemic.

Hypoglycaemia can cause shakiness, disorientation and fatigue, and, unless the patient receives a sugar boost promptly, seizures can follow, leading to unconsciousness. In some sufferers, this can occur with little warning.

Researchers believed that naturally occurring chemicals in exhaled breath may change when blood glucose levels drop. In their preliminary study, the team gradually lowered the blood sugar levels of eight women with type 1 diabetes under controlled conditions.

Using mass spectrometry, they found that levels of the chemical isoprene rose significantly at hypoglycaemia - almost doubling in some cases.

Dr Mark Evans, honorary consultant physician at Addenbrooke's Hospital, said that dogs may be sensitive to isoprene.

"Humans aren’t sensitive to the presence of isoprene, but dogs with their incredible sense of smell, find it easy to identify and can be trained to alert their owners about dangerously low blood sugar levels. It provides a ‘scent’ that could help us develop new tests for detecting hypoglycaemia and reducing the risk of potentially life-threatening complications for patients living with diabetes."

The team hope that a new breath test could replace the current finger-prick test, which is inconvenient and painful for patients, as well as being relatively expensive to administer. 

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RUMA CA&E extends survey deadline

News Story 1
 RUMA CA&E has extended the deadline for its online survey into vaccine availability.

Vets, SQPs, retailers and wholesalers will now have until Friday, 26 September at 5pm to submit their response.

The survey aims to further understanding into the vaccine supply challenges faced by the sector. It will also consider the short and long term impacts of disruption issues.

Insights are anonymous, and will be shared with industry stakeholders and government bodies.

The survey can be accessed here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Dechra launches checklist for veterinary sustainability

Global animal health specialist Dechra has announced the world's first Veterinary Green Theatre Checklist (VGTC) to help make surgery more sustainable.

Endorsed by leading veterinary organisations, including the BEVA, BVNA and RCVS Knowledge, the checklist is designed to reduce the environmental footprint of veterinary care, while supporting better animal health outcomes.

The checklist was launched at the World Congress of Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia in Paris and will be followed by an internal training and awareness campaign. For more information, visit dechra.com