How to Diagnose Rat Blood Glucose Levels and Kidney Failure

Diabetes and kidney disease are not uncommon illnesses in pet rats and are often related. For example, advanced stages of diabetes can lead to kidney failure in rats. Only a veterinarian can diagnose diabetes or kidney failure by performing blood and/or urine tests. In some cases, veterinarians may ask the rat̵7;s owner to collect and test the urine at home.

Things You'll Need

  • Empty plastic container
  • Urine test strips
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Instructions

    • 1

      Put the rat in an empty plastic container in order to collect a urine sample. If your vet has given you urine test strips, you can perform the test at home and report the results to him. Your vet may also do this test in the office.

    • 2

      Place the test strip in the urine. Make sure the colored squares are completely soaked in the urine.

    • 3

      Compare the test strip to the guide printed on the test strip bottle. The guide will have a color chart for each square with a test result under each shade in each test. Each square will test for things such as sugar or proteins in the urine; the darkness or lightness of the colored square will correspond to a color on the guide. Match the color from the test strip to the guide as closely as you can for accurate results. Record the results to give to your vet.

    • 4

      Ask your vet to take a blood sample. Using blood is a more accurate way to measure blood glucose levels and kidney function. The rat's toenail can be clipped to get enough blood for the tests. Blood can also be taken through the rat's saphenous vein.