Comparison of Chemstrip bG visual blood glucose method with Accu-Chek III monitor method for measuring blood glucose in broiler chicks.
The purposes of this study were to 1) measure blood glucose values in a flock of broiler chicks tentatively diagnosed as having spiking mortality syndrome (SMS), and 2) compare the blood glucose values using two methods: the Chemstrip bG visual method and the Chemstrip bG Accu-Chek III monitor method. Results indicated that Chemstrip bG reagent test strips can be used successfully to assay blood glucose values in chicks with SMS and that these strips will detect hypoglycemia when hypoglycemia is present. Readings obtained by the visual method were as reliable as those obtained by the more expensive and time-consuming digital electronic monitor method. Blood glucose values were lowest in the chicks with the most severe clinical signs. Malassimilation is a differential diagnosis for hypoglycemia among neonatal mammals, and blood glucose values are lower in inappetent or starving chicks. Therefore, the hypothesis that gastrointestinal or endocrine disease could be major etiologies of hypoglycemia and spiking mortality should be investigated.
Goodwin
M A
MA
Georgia Poultry Laboratory, Oakwood 30566, USA.
Bounous
D I
DI
Brown
J
J
Fuchs
D W
DW
D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D002645:Chickens / Q000097:blood*; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000097:blood; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic / Q000662:veterinary
D001786:Blood Glucose; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic