07/08/2021
A1CARE (glycohemoglobin) test result. A veterinary use only product. To setup a time to discuss the result(s) email results@baycomdiagnostics.com or TEXT 850.320.8545 with your clinic name and suggested day/time. A1C RESULT INTERPRETATION and FAQ on page 2 A1C result of < 4 (Normal) A1C < 4 Indicates good or normal management of blood glucose levels for the last 70 days in felines and 110 days in canines. For cats and dogs multiply your A1C result x 30 to get a conservative average glucose reading for the last 70 days in felines and 110 days in canines. For example, A1C was 4.0 then multiply 4x30 to get an average glucose reading of 120 for the last 70 days in a cat and 110 days in a dog. A1C TESTING IS RECOMMEND SEMIANNUALLY OR ANNUALLY as a wellness check and is recommended especially for older and overweight animals and breeds pre-disposed to diabetes IN DOGS: Keeshonds, Samoyeds, Terriers, Miniature Schnauzers, Dachshunds, Poodles & Cairn Terriers. IN FELINES: Older cats, Castrated Male Cats are commonly affected, A higher incidence of feline diabetes in Burmese Cats has been reported in Australia and the UK. A1C result of 4 to 6 (Pre-diabetes for canines or “transitional diabetes” for felines) A1C result of 4 to 6. The primary goal of prediabetes management is to normalize glucose levels through diet and exercises to prevent or delay progression to diabetes and its common prediabetes comorbidities such as obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease is essential. Pet owner compliance with an A1C result in this range can be an effective tool since it cannot be manipulated like a glucose reading can be by simply adjusting the pets diet the day before and the day of the visit to the Veterinarian. For pet owners and their pets in whom lifestyle modification fails to produce necessary improvement after 3 to 6 months, pharmacologic intervention may be appropriate and requires careful judgment regarding the risks and benefits of each specific agent for each individual pet. Monitoring prediabetics with an A1C test once a quarter is strongly encouraged. A1C TESTING ONCE A QUARTER to monitor progression/trend is recommended for any feline or canine with a result in the 4 to 6 range. Especially for overweight animals and breeds pre-disposed to diabetes IN DOGS: Keeshonds, Samoyeds, Terriers, Miniature Schnauzers, Dachshunds, Poodles & Cairn Terriers. IN FELINES: Older cats, Castrated Male Cats are commonly affected, A higher incidence of feline diabetes in Burmese Cats has been reported in Australia and the UK. 25%–30% of diabetic cats in remission will relapse and require insulin treatment again. Therefore quarterly A1C testing of felines in remission is recommended. A1C result of 6 to 8 (Diabetic for canines and transitional/diabetic diabetes for felines) CANINE A1C result of greater 6 suggests the need for active management of diabetes via diet, exercise and insulin. AAHA is a resource for the types of insulin, dosages and general guidelines. For cats and dogs multiply your A1C result x 30 to get a conservative average glucose reading for the last 70 days in felines and 110 days in canines. For example, A1C was 8.0 then multiply 8x30 to get an average glucose reading of 240 for the last 70 days in a cat and 110 days in a dog. Veterinary consensus for Canine treatment is to increase insulin dosage by 1 unit with the appropriate blood glucose monitoring at home and administering another A1C test in approximately 110 days to RE-assess the A1C level. Veterinarian consensus suggests active management via diet, exercise and insulin treatment can bring canine A1C values down into the 4 to 6 range. FELINE A1C result of greater than 6 to 8 suggests the need for active management of diabetes via diet, exercise and insulin. AAHA is a preferred resource for the types of insulin, dosages and general guidelines. Multiply your A1C result x 30 to get a conservative average glucose reading for the last 70 days in felines and 110 days in canines. For example, A1C was 8.0 then multiply 8x30 to get an average glucose reading of 240 for the last 70 days in a cat and 110 days in a dog. Veterinary consensus for Feline treatment is to increase insulin dosage by 1 unit with the appropriate blood glucose monitoring at home and administering another A1C test in 70 days to assess A1C levels. Due to the difficulties in treating Felines via at-home exercise, diet and insulin regulating a Feline A1C down to 6 is attainable/desirable. A1C TESTING ONCE A QUARTER to monitor progression or remission is recommended for any feline or canine with a result in the 6 to 8 range. A1C result of 8 to 12 (Diabetic for canines and diabetic/transitional for felines) CANINE A1C result of 8 to 12 suggests the need for increased active management of diabetes via diet, exercise and insulin. For cats and dogs multiply your A1C result x 30 to get a conservative average glucose reading for the last 70 days in felines and 110 days in canines. For example, A1C was 12.0 then multiply 12x30 to get an average glucose reading of 360 for the last 70 days in a cat and 110 days in a dog. AAHA is a preferred resource for the types of insulin, dosages and general guidelines. Veterinary consensus for Canine treatment is to increase insulin dosage by 1 unit with the appropriate blood glucose monitoring at home and administering another A1C test in approximately 110 days to RE-assess the A1C level. Due to the similarities of canine diabetes and human diabetes Veterinarian consensus suggests increased active management via diet, exercise and insulin treatment can bring canine A1C values down into the 4 to 6 range. FELINE A1C result of 8 to 12 suggests the need for increased active management of diabetes via diet, exercise and insulin. Felines may still be in the transitional phase at these levels with the ability to be managed back to a normal A1C level without the need for insulin. AAHA is a preferred resource for the types of insulin, dosages and general guidelines. Veterinary consensus for Feline treatment is to increase insulin dosage by 1 unit with the appropriate blood glucose monitoring at home and administering another A1C test in 70 days to assess A1C levels. Due to the difficulties in treating Felines via at-home exercise, diet and insulin regulating a Feline A1C down to 6 is desirable/attainable. TESTING ONCE A QUARTER to monitor progression or control is recommended for any feline or canine with a result in the 8 to 12 range. A1C result of 12 to 30 (“Uncontrolled or raging” diabetic level for canines and felines) 15% of the in-clinic diagnosed diabetic felines and canines tested at baycom have A1C values above 12. A1CARE is accurate up to an A1C value of 30 allowing the Veterinarian to know precisely if their treatment is lowering the A1C value over time even at these elevated levels. In addition, each sample is tested 4x to ensure CV values of < 5% giving the confidence needed to treat uncontrolled/raging diabetes knowing the A1C result is the most accurate diabetes test available to Veterinarians. CANINE A1C result of greater 12 and up to 30 suggests the need for very active management of diabetes via diet, exercise and insulin. For cats and dogs multiply your A1C result x 30 to get a conservative average glucose reading for the last 70 days in felines and 110 days in canines. For example, A1C was 25 then multiply 25x30 to get an average glucose reading of 600+ for the last 70 days in a cat and 110 days in a dog. AAHA is a preferred resource for the types of insulin, dosages and general guidelines. Veterinary consensus for Canine treatment is to increase insulin dosage by 1 unit with the appropriate blood glucose monitoring at home and administering another A1C test in approximately 110 days to RE-assess the A1C level. Due to the similarities of canine diabetes and human diabetes Veterinarian consensus suggests very active management via diet, exercise and insulin treatment can bring canine A1C values down into the 4 to 6 range. FELINE A1C result of greater than 12 suggests the need for very active management of diabetes via diet, exercise and insulin. Felines are likely no longer in the transitional phase at these levels now require continuous insulin treatment to be managed back to a A1C level of 6 to 8. AAHA is a preferred resource for the types of insulin, dosages and general guidelines. Veterinary consensus for Feline treatment is to increase insulin dosage by 1 unit with the appropriate blood glucose monitoring at home and administering another A1C test in 70 days to assess A1C levels. Due to the difficulties in treating Felines via at-home exercise, diet and insulin regulating a Feline A1C down to 6 is attainable/desirable. TESTING ONCE A QUARTER to monitor treatment and A1C level is highly recommended for any feline or canine with a result in the 12 to 30 range. Peer reviewed articles available at www.catA1C.com and www.dogA1C.com FAQ * Can I let the blood spots dry overnight or can I store the dried blood samples at 4C? Yes, you can dry the samples overnight. If they need to be stored for more than 24 hours prior to mailing, we recommend refrigerating the dried blood samples until shipment. Dried blood samples are stable at room temperature and during shipping for up to 30 days. * Will A1CARE help to diagnose pre-diabetic felines (since they can be very hard to diagnose with glucose meters or fructosamine)? Yes, the A1C test will give you the last 70 days average glucose levels for the feline. It is not affected by stress hyperglycemia or most drugs. * How long does it take to get the results back? Baycom receives 98% of the samples in 3 to 5 business days or less. Occasionally, samples can take up to 10 business days due to weather and holidays at the USPS. We do accept overnight deliveries to our Atlanta Lab. * Does A1C help me test "raging" diabetics? Yes, A1C gets your clinic the assay result needed to better control raging diabetics. 15% of Baycom's NEW clinics have felines or canines with A1C levels above 12 and often in the 20’s. After 12 months of use, all of these clinics have animals that test under A1C=12. The data suggests that once a clinic starts using A1C to diagnose and manage diabetic patients, the patients are better controlled overall with all patients under A1C=12 in just 12 months. Baycom’s A1C levels are reported out to A1C=30 or the equivalent of a glucose reading of ~1200 mg/dL. glucose meters and fructosamine maximum result is only ~600. Veterinarians asked us for this higher level to quantitatively adjust treatment dosage especially when glucose meters and fructosamine can no longer give a quantitative result over ~600 (A1C=12). * How many well-regulated diabetic cats are HYPERglycemic? 90% of all well-regulated diabetic feline samples Baycom receives are HYPERglycemic. The average well regulated feline with an A1C=4 has a glucose level at the time of the A1C sample blood draw = 308 mg/dL. * Will A1C help identify OVER-regulated diabetic felines? Yes, Many felines get over regulated with insulin as reflected in A1C testing levels often below 1. * Can I find out what the Blood Hemoglobin Levels are for each sample sent into Baycom for A1C testing? Yes, Baycom provides this at no extra charge on all A1C results sent to clinics. * Should I do an A1C test on Cushing's Patients? Yes, Clinics are using A1C testing to monitor their Cushing Patients as a good indicator of metabolic "health". * Do any of the following interfere with Baycom’s A1C assay? Bilirubin : No interference Ascorbic Acid : No interference Triglycerides : No interference Carbamylated Hb No interference Acetylated Hb No interference Hemoglobin variants No Interference * What about dogs that had received previous glucocorticoid treatment and those with concurrent conditions (documented obese, pancreatitis, hyperadrenocorticism)? They both have increased odds for DM diagnosis and should have their A1C tested once a quarter. * What about older dogs? Factors associated with increased odds for DM diagnosis were all age categories > 8 years * What is the CV for the Baycom A1C Assay? The Intrer-assay CV is 9.6% over the last two years and the average Intra-Assay CV is 2.6% (Each sample is tested 4 times.) and felines. It is not intended for use in the home setting to monitor Glycohemoglobin in canines and felines. Caution: The A1C test is calibrated for use in pets and will give erroneous results when used with human dried blood. Warning: Any change in medication based on the A1C test results without the consent and advice of a veterinarian is not recommended. Precautions: Keep the A1C TRF away from animals as it may cause a choking hazard. The TRF contains drying agents and stabilizing agents that may be harmful if swallowed or inhaled and may cause skin or eye irritation. High Test Results: High A1C test results can indicate a potentially serious medical condition. Very low A1C test results may require retesting. Storage and Handling: The TRF can be stored at room temperature until use. Store the TRF away from direct sunlight and high heat. Use gloves when touching the TRF DBS part of the form. Do not bend, cut or mutilate the TRF. How to Perform the Test: See the A1C Test User Guide located in the product packaging or on the website at A1CARE.pet. A1C Levels: A chart of normal, controlled and out of control A1C levels for canines and felines is located on A1CARE.pet. In addition, a chart will be supplied with the test results. Unexpected Results: If the reported A1C level is not consistent with any symptoms, contact Baycom Diagnostics immediately to discuss the results and animal symptoms observed. Additional testing or re- testing may be supplied. Limitations: The A1C test is a single use only test. Do not reuse the TRF. Hands and test must be clean and dry prior to using. Use fresh whole blood from any site on the animal. There is no effect from heparinized tubes or any anti-coagulant. Potential Causes for Untestable DBS: The correct amount of DBS was not supplied. Gloves were not used when handling the TRF. The DBS were stored at room temperature for extended amount of time. The TRF and DBS were destroyed during the mailing process. Performance and Accuracy of the A1C Test: The performance of the canine and feline test has been validated in laboratory tests and in human DBS in clinical tests. The testing range of A1C test is 2 to 30. Contents: 5 TRFs, 5 return mailers (pre-paid postage), 12 page booklet, Composition of TRFs: Paper, inkjet inks, pressure sensitive adhesive, cellulosic DBS substrate, other ingredients (buffers, stabilizers and mediators, etc.) Baycom, Baycom Diagnostics, A1CARE, Canine A1C, Feline A1C, Animal TRF, are trademarks of Baycom. This product is protected under pending patents. Privacy is a priority at Baycom Diagnostics Laboratory. The information you provide includes the pets name and your internal ID number. We ask that you do not include any of the pet owners information as this is a veterinary use only website and diagnostic assay company. Although there are no privacy laws governing dogs and cats, we have implemented the following procedures to try to protect their information as much as possible. We have a strict internal privacy policy that instructs our employees on how personal information collected on our website or obtained through testing of your dogs and cats are handled. This information and results are only communicated to the veterinarian who ordered and paid for the test. The animals laboratory results can only be communicated to the veterinarian who ordered the test. We verify that it is the veterinarian that ordered the test by asking them to provide the unique Test ID number located on every test sold by Baycom. If it is not the clinic that ordered the test, we require permission from the original customer and may require a medical release form to be signed by that original customer, releasing the pet and clinic information to the third party. We will not release your clinic or animals information to a third party without your written consent. If you have any concerns about our Privacy Policy, please contact us at info@baycomdiagnostics.com. Baycom Diagnostics reserves the right to use the data extracted from your sample at the discretion of Baycom Diagnostics for research, resale and in developing new products. All samples sent to Baycom Diagnostics become the property of Baycom Diagnostics once they are received at any of our locations
