Thanks for relaying that info, Gina. I figured what you eat 24 hours before would have a bearing on the test readings...that's kinda why I recommend that the "collection" process be done BEFORE dinner is served. I did some VERY SMALL scratching on the surface of diabetes & was amazed to read how eating watermelon could increase glucose levels for about an hour or 2, then level back down as the body digests it.

Maybe for the sake of sheer argument, I should be collecting data on Magellan? Heaven knows he's willing to furnish "free samples" in my hand practically every time I bring him out of his cage! We're still fighting with his (now stub of a) tail issue and infection staying away. My only thought is that his antibiotics would "skew" any readings, wouldn't they? Maybe so, maybe not.

And you're absolutely correct, Schlep: This is NOT intended to be a "home doctoring" replacement for the competence and wisdom of a vet. It's just one of HUNDREDS of things that we as glider slaves can furnish to help the veterinary field of medicine with learning more about our beloved animals. Just like having necropsies after our babies cross over the Rainbow Bridge when there aren't obvious causes (such as drowning or electrocution )---every little detail helps...somehow, somewhere, someone.

Ok, first

Second, I think it's a good idea to collect on ill and injured gliders as long as we fully document their condition and their stage/progression in treatment at the time of testing as well as any meds, etc... Just as we collect a grouping of "normal" gliders, maybe over time we will collect a grouping of "tail amputees/not a result of SM" or "SM" or "cancer patients", and we may notice some similarities there as well - just a thought...

Monster, Thanks for asking. As I see it, this won't help. Normal urine results on a multi-stix dip isn't a large mystery.

Leukocytes: Should be Negative
Nitrates: Should be Negative
Urobilinogen: Should be Negative
Protein: Should be Negative, although can be trace without clearly indicating abnormal
pH: Will occur within a range depending on diet and hydration status. This result will not be diagnostic
Blood: Should be Negative
Specific Gravity: Will occur within a range depending on diet and hydration status.
Ketone: Should be Negative
Bilirubin: Should be Negative
Glucose: Should be Negative

Sometimes one of the measures will have a reading other than normal (negative) for reasons that will ultimately be explained and not be an ominous result.

The values on the tests such as pH and Specific Gravity vary depending on normal physiologic issues, and most of the readings obtained will not be diagnostic of anything. Slight variances from normals on any of the individual tests, which occur not uncommonly, still won't yield meaningful knowledge of baselines that weren't already expected. Once purchased, most people will want to do a couple of dips just to get familiar with the process, which is understandable. Aggragating a large national sample of normals just won't enhance knowledge.

The value of pooling data from owner's all over the country lies in the results that deviate from normal and guides future decisions. When your glider is sick, and abnormals show up in any lab measure, and then a repeatable association is shown, then there may hopefully be shown a predictable association. Once a predictable association exists, and one can use that prediction to guide treatment. The value in this endeavor will be found there.

Frankly, urine dips just don't yield that much information, especially about infectious diseases. Sorry to be a pessimist, but I don't expect great revelations to occur with urine dips. But, the tough part about glider evaluations is that good laboratory tests are expensive and difficult to obtain. Such an easy and cheap test as a urine dip that can be done at home is hopeful. The question at hand is whether a urine dip can be helpful and show benefit in the evaluation of your pet, and whether that leads to different care or better outcomes.

Collecting meaningful questions about the presenting signs (1) that occured and that lead to the tests, the test results (2) themselves, questions about what treatment (3) was rendered, and then questions about how the outcome (4) played out would be where I would focus my time rather than logging normal results.

Link bad results to bad outcomes and you have something you can use.

I have made a chart that I will be using to record my gliders on. It may not be perfect but I think it will work.

It is a word doc so if you want it, pm me your email and I'll send it to you.

Alright my strips came in and I managed to wrestle 2 of the crew for some urine. A few of the tests were really difficult for me to read which color the strip matched so I have ? by those. I'll get better with a little practice.

Skittles 2yr 108g
Leukocytes: Negative
Nitrites: Negative
Urobilinogen: Normal
Protein: Trace
pH: 6.5
Blood: Negative
Specific Gravity: 1.005
Keytone: ? Negative-trace(hard to tell color)
Bilirubin: Negative
Glucose: ? Negative-100(hard to tell color)

Snuki 1yr 104g
Leukocytes: Negative
Nitrites: Negative
Urobilinogen: Normal
Protein: Trace
pH: 7.0
Blood: Negative
Specific Gravity: 1.005
Keytone: ? Negative-trace(hard to tell color)
Bilirubin: Negative
Glucose: Negative

Cool, thanks Jennifer!