• DVM360_Conference_Charlotte,NC_banner
  • ACVCACVC
  • DVM 360
  • Fetch DVM 360Fetch DVM 360
DVM 360
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
By Role
AssociatesOwnersPractice ManagerStudentsTechnicians
Subscriptions
dvm360 Newsletterdvm360 Magazine
News
All News
Association
Breaking News
Conference Coverage
Education
Equine
FDA
Law & Ethics
Market Trends
Medical
Politics
Products
Recalls
Regulatory
Digital Media
dvm360 LIVE!™
Expert Interviews
The Vet Blast Podcast
Medical World News
Pet Connections
The Dilemma Live
Vet Perspectives™
Weekly Newscast
dvm360 Insights™
Publications
All Publications
dvm360
Firstline
Supplements
Top Recommended Veterinary Products
Vetted
Clinical
All Clinical
Anesthesia
Animal Welfare
Behavior
Cardiology
CBD in Pets
Dentistry
Dermatology
Diabetes
Emergency & Critical Care
Endocrinology
Equine Medicine
Exotic Animal Medicine
Feline Medicine
Gastroenterology
Imaging
Infectious Diseases
Integrative Medicine
Nutrition
Oncology
Ophthalmology
Orthopedics
Pain Management
Parasitology
Pharmacy
Surgery
Toxicology
Urology & Nephrology
Virtual Care
Business
All Business
Business & Personal Finance
Hospital Design
Personnel Management
Practice Finances
Practice Operations
Wellbeing & Lifestyle
Continuing Education
Conferences
Conference Listing
Conference Proceedings
Resources
CBD in Pets
CE Requirements by State
Contests
Veterinary Heroes
Partners
Spotlight Series
Team Meeting in a Box
Toolkit
Top Recommended Veterinary Products
Vet to Vet
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Advertisement
By Role
  • Associates
  • Owners
  • Practice Manager
  • Students
  • Technicians
Subscriptions
  • dvm360 Newsletter
  • dvm360 Magazine
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us
  • MJHLS Brand Logo

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences™ and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Diabetic Koala Receives New Human Glucose Monitoring System

June 28, 2018
Amanda Carrozza

A Queensland koala at the San Diego Zoo is among the first recipients of Dexcom 6, an interoperable continuous glucose monitoring system designed for humans with diabetes.

Photo credit: San Diego Zoo

In March, the FDA permitted marketing of Dexcom G6, the first fully interoperable continuous glucose monitoring system for humans. Among the recipients of the product—which started shipping earlier this month—was one particularly memorable marsupial.

Quincy, a 3-year old, male Queensland koala currently residing at the San Diego Zoo, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes after caretakers noticed he was drinking a lot of water and was not maintaining his body weight.

“Very few koalas have been diagnosed with and treated for diabetes,” said Cora Singleton, DVM, senior veterinarian, San Diego Zoo Veterinary Services. “Quincy currently requires insulin injections, which are based on his blood sugar level.”

Unfortunately, testing Quincy’s blood sugar levels required pricking his ear multiple times a day, which was tedious and bothered Quincy. On June 1, however, a team of veterinary experts, endocrinologists from Scripps Health, and biotechnology professionals from Dexcom came together to outfit Quincy with his own Dexcom G6.

RELATED:

  • AAHA Releases Updated Diabetes Guidelines
  • Surgery to Treat Hydrocephalus in a Seal Proves Successful

The sensor and transmitter placed on Quincy’s abdomen send his blood glucose levels to a smart device that is monitored by his caretakers. With this new technology in place, the zoo’s veterinarians no longer have to prick Quincy’s skin multiple times per day to test his blood glucose levels. The monitor also has built-in alerts and alarms that will notify the zoo’s staff before Quincy’s blood glucose reaches dangerous levels.

“We are hopeful that this technology will work as well in koalas as it does in people,” Dr. Singleton said, “thus allowing us to optimize his insulin therapy while promoting his welfare during his illness.”

Advertisement


Advertisement

Latest News

To refer or not to refer

Advice panel for women interested in the veterinary field

AVMA president set to testify before Congress

New Hawaii-based pet CBD brand launches

View More Latest News
Advertisement