A1C for cats and dogs

1. THE GOLD STANDARD
FOR DIAGNOSIS OF DIABETES
Now available for pets

2. ADVANCING THE STANDARD OF DIABETES TESTING
The A1C test for the diagnosis and
management of diabetes mellitus
is not just for humans anymore.
Thousands of veterinarians across
the country are pioneering it with
their furry patients.
The first of its kind for felines and
canines, our A1C test goes back
up to six times further (70 days
for felines and 110 days for
canines) than was previously
available to show average
glucose levels.
CONGRATULATIONS
ONGIVINGPET
OWNERSMORE
PRECISERESULTS
EASY. ACCURATE.
COST EFFECTIVE.

3. ~ + –
EASY TO USE
A1CARE is a glycohemoglobin (A1C) dried blood spot diagnostic test.
Simply complete the Test Request Form (TRF), collect enough blood to fill
two of the discs on the form, and let it dry for at least two hours. Tear off
the bottom portion of the Test Request Form to retain for your records.
Place the completed form into the provided postage-paid envelope and
drop in the mail. Once your test is complete, results will be emailed to
you within 24 hours.
A BETTER ALTERNATIVE
Glucose meters and fructosamine tests have limitations. Glucose
meters only measure blood glucose at that moment and can be
impacted by animal stress, especially in felines. The resulting blood
glucose curves are difficult and labor intensive to maintain.
Fructosamine testing can only provide an average 1-to-2-week blood
glucose level, and the test is hard to run reliably from a lab setting,
requiring the drawing and collection of blood in a heparinized tube
that is then chilled and typically sent to a regional lab.

4. HOW A1C WORKS
When hemoglobin and glucose bond, a coating of sugar forms on the
hemoglobin. An A1C test checks the amount of sugar bound to the
hemoglobin in red blood cells. Since red blood cells have a lifespan
of 70 days for felines and 110 days for canines, an A1C test will show
how much glucose was in the blood for that period. This indicates
how well diabetes has been controlled and whether a treatment plan
needs to be altered.
WHAT SCIENTIFIC PAPERS SAY ABOUT A1C
In a paper published by Elliott, Nelson, Feldman and Neal,1
it was
demonstrated that the “Evaluation of blood GHb (A1C) concentration
may be a clinically useful test for monitoring glycemic control of
diabetes in cats....” Additionally, a paper published by Lien and Huang2
stated, “Our results showed that HbA1C levels correlated with blood
glucose concentration, and significantly increased in diabetic dogs.
These findings corroborate the findings of previous studies. HbA1C
concentrations were also correlated to pack cell volume and hemoglobin
levels. Because the relationship between HbA1C and plasma glucose
concentration is multifaceted, interpretation of HbA1C levels should
consider pack cell volume and hemoglobin concentration data in
addition to blood glucose data.”
1
Elliott DA, Nelson RW, Feldman EC, Neal LA. 1997. Glycosylated hemoglobin concentration for
assessment of glycemic control in diabetic cats. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 11(3):161–165.
2
Lien YH, Huang HP. 2009. Glycosylated hemoglobin concentrations in dogs with hyperadrenocorticism
and/or diabetes mellitus compared to clinically healthy dogs. JVCS. 2(2):37–41.
ADVANCING THE STANDARD OF DIABETES TESTING

5. KEEP TEST FORMS AND ENVELOPES PAIRED
TRACKING YOUR SAMPLE IS SIMPLE
1 2 3
Visit us online at
A1CAREpets.com.
Click “Track Your
Sample” on our
homepage to access
the tracking portal (no
fee or login required).
Enter the 20-digit
tracking number
printed on the test
form (TRF) that was
kept for your records.
Easy-to-Read Results
Baycom Diagnostics
3472 Weems Rd., #2 | Tallahassee, FL 32317 | 800.213.1439
A1CAREpets.com
Baycom Diagnostics
3472 Weems Rd., #2 | Tallahassee, FL 32317 | 800.213.1439
www.BaycomDiagnostics.com
A1c (HbA1c) Levels
Average
Normal Normal Transitional
Feline
Canine
DIABETES
1.8
3.3
A1c levels are reflective of the average glucose levels
for the last 70 days in Felines and the last 110 days in Canines.
000 ttooo 444
000 ttooo 444
44 ttooo 666
44 ttooo 666
66 tooo 122222
66 tooo 1222
0 to 4
0 to 4
4 to 6
4 to 6
6 to 12
6 to 12
11222 ttttooooo 333000
11222 ttoooo 333000
12 to 30
12 to 30
A1CARE continues to advance
the standard in diabetes
testing with accurate results
up to A1C=30.
Animal Health Clinic
123 My Lane
Tallahassee FL 32301
Email: ahc@aol.com
Fax: 850.000.0000
Ph: 1.800.213.14398
A1c (Glycohemoglobin) RESULT
Test C2 3 A1CARE
Date 11/30/2017
Report / TRF ID Fido, 12345
Clinic/Hospital Animal Health Clinic
Contact Name / ID Dr. Skovera
Feline
A1c RESULT
17.3
A1c Test Reult
A1c (HbA1c) Levels
Average
Normal Normal Transitional
Feline
Canine
DIABETES
1.8
3.3
A1c levels are reflective of the average glucose levels
for the last 70 days in Felines and the last 110 days in Canines.
0 to 4
0 to 4
4 to 6
4 to 6
6 to 12+
6 to 12+
0 to 4
0 to 4
4 to 6
4 to 6
6 to 12+
6 to 12+
A1CARE continues to advance
the standard in diabetes
testing with accurate results
up to A1C=30.
Animal Health Clinic
123 My Lane
Tallahassee FL 32301
Email: ahc@aol.com
Fax: 850.000.0000
Ph: 1.800.213.14398
A1C (Glycohemoglobin) RESULT
Test C2 3 A1CARE
Date 11/30/2017
Report / TRF ID Fido, 12345
Clinic/Hospital Animal Health Clinic
Contact Name / ID Dr. Skovera
Feline
A1C RESULT
17.3
A1C Test Result
Track My
Sample

6. DIABETES IS ON THE RISE
“The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in dogs increased from 13.1 cases
per 10,000 in 2006 to 23.6 cases per 10,000 in 2015 – a 79.7 percent
increase” and “the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in cats increased
from 57.2 cases per 10,000 in 2006 to 67.6 cases per 10,000 in 2015,”
3
according to a Banfield Pet Hospital report.
SCREENING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER
When it comes to mitigating complications secondary to diabetes
mellitus, early detection is essential. Pet owners should become
familiar with common early symptoms such as increased thirst,
urination and appetite, routine screening will help to ensure a
timely diagnosis.
Since general health blood profiles merely include a serum blood
glucose level, pets in the beginning stages of diabetes may not be
recognized. Veterinarians will gain the advantage of averting feline
diabetes and
diminishing
associated
problems such
as ketoacidosis
by performing
an HbA1C test in
addition to routine
blood work for
dogs and cats at
increased risk
for developing
diabetes.
()
( – )
ADVANCING THE STANDARD OF DIABETES TESTING

7. 3
Banfield Pet Hospital. Common Diseases in
Cats and Dogs. Banfield.com.
https://www.banfield.com/state-of-pet-health
(accessed January 31, 2017)
Studies show that overweight, middle-aged and senior cats are at greater
risk for developing diabetes. Cats with an elevated body condition score
(the veterinary equivalent of body mass index [BMI] ) develop impaired
insulin sensitivity. Blood glucose levels rise as the body’s cells become less
responsive to insulin. Continuous elevations in blood glucose eventually
have a negative impact on the beta cells within the pancreas, which are
responsible for insulin production. Veterinarians can provide guidance to
cat owners regarding dietary changes that can help to reverse this vicious
cycle and the early stages of diabetes caused by weight problems and
elevated A1C levels.
Obesity, age (7+), female spaying and poor diet all play a major role in
the development of canine diabetes. There appear to be multiple factors
that contribute to the onset of diabetes in dogs. An immune-mediated
component, similar to what is found in people with insulin-dependent
diabetes, has been documented in dogs.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR:
• At-risk Breeds
• Increased Thirst
• Frequent Urination
• Obesity
• Cushing’s Disease
• Acromegaly
• Pregnancy in Certain Phase of Cycle
• Pancreatitis
• Drugs Such As Prednisone
and Other Glucocorticoids

8. While any dog has the potential to develop diabetes secondary to immune-
mediated or environmental factors, some breeds have been identified as being
at increased risk. They include: Keeshonds, Samoyeds, Australian Terriers,
Standard and Miniature Schnauzers, Dachshunds, Poodles and Cairn Terriers.
With the exception of Burmese cats bred in Australia, New Zealand and the
United Kingdom, other feline breeds have not been documented to have an
increased tendency for developing diabetes.
Roughly 53 percent of dogs and 58 percent of cats in the U.S. are overweight
or obese according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. The group’s
research shows that these rates continue to rise. New data from Nationwide,
a national provider of pet health insurance, found that insurance claims for
conditions and diseases related to pet obesity rose by 10 percent over the past
two years, and diabetes appears in the top 10 most common obesity related
illnesses in both cats and dogs. Obesity contributes to insulin resistance and
is a risk factor for pancreatitis, which can lead to diabetes in dogs. The most
common causes of diabetes in cats are obesity, pancreatitis and amyloidosis of
the pancreatic beta cells. Obese cats are approximately 3.9 times more likely to
develop diabetes mellitus compared to cats of optimal weight. Risk factors also
include sedentary lifestyle, glucocorticoids, increasing age and being male.
In addition to the aforementioned dog breeds and cats that fit a specific profile,
dogs and cats with other medical conditions also appear to be at increased risk
for developing diabetes. Many of these secondary problems involve hormone
regulation such as Cushing’s disease, Acromegaly, pregnancy and females
during the diestrus phase of their reproductive cycle.
KEESHONDS SAMOYEDS AUSTRALIAN
TERRIERS
STANDARD MINIATURE
SCHNAUZERS
DOG BREEDS MOST PREDISPOSED TO DIABETES

9. 53%Dogs
58%Cats
APPROXIMATELY50-60%
OFDIABETICCATSAREOVERWEIGHT
Although not related to hormone levels, pancreatitis (inflammation
of the pancreas) can result in damaged beta cells, diminished insulin
production, and therefore diabetes. Certain drugs such as prednisone
and other glucocorticoids are known to be diabetogenic. Dogs and cats
with these predisposing conditions would benefit from early screening
using the HbA1C test because early intervention of diabetes is
extremely important in preventing life-threatening crises and ensuring
optimal health and well-being.
DACHSHUNDS POODLES CAIRN TERRIERS

10. FAQ
Do I need to heparinize the blood at any time for the test?
No, the Test Request Form (TRF) is engineered to accept whole blood
without heparin or any other anticoagulant. However, if you do use heparin
or a similar molecule it will not affect the test.
Can I let the blood spots dry overnight or can I store the dried
blood samples at 4o
C?
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 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.
What if the A1C result is normal, but the animal shows classical
signs of diabetes?
Could be Cushing’s Disease. Classic signs of Cushing’s Disease tend to
be frequent urinating, hair loss and weight gain, which is similar to canine
diabetes mellitus with the exception of weight reduction rather than extra
weight. Frequent urinating is a result of high cortisol levels due to pituitary
gland enlargement.
ADVANCING THE STANDARD OF DIABETES TESTING

11. Glycohemoglobin (A1C) dried blood spot (DBS) diagnostic test sold under the name
A1CARE.
Important: Please read this information and the How To guide before using the A1C DBS test.
Failure to follow the instructions will cause incorrect results. This test is only available to
licensed veterinarians. Caution: Federal Law (USA) restricts the use of this canine and
feline A1C test to licensed veterinarians. This is a veterinarian test for use under
the direction of a veterinarian professional.
Intended Use: The A1C test is designed to use a Test Request Form (TRF) in which at least 2 dried blood
spots (DBS) are acquired by a veterinarian and then mailed back to Baycom Diagnostics for testing in
its laboratory. The A1C test is for testing outside of the body (in-vitro diagnostic use). The A1C test is
designed for use in a veterinary professional setting to monitor Glycohemoglobin levels in canines 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 canines and felines 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 A1CAREpets.com.
A1C Levels: A chart of normal, controlled and out of control A1C levels for canines and felines is located
on A1CAREpets.com. 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 in humans. The testing range of A1C test
is 2 to 30.
Contents: 5 TRFs, 5 return mailers (pre-paid postage)
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.

12. 3472 Weems Road, #2 • Tallahassee, FL 32317 • 800.213.1439
info@baycomdiagnostics.com
A1CAREpets.com
For more information, call Baycom Diagnostics at 1-800-213-1439
or visit A1CAREpets.com to read peer-reviewed
journals on A1C in cats and dogs.