About Vetsulin
Vetsulin® (porcine insulin zinc suspension) is an injectable insulin solution that reduces hyperglycemia in cats with diabetes mellitus.
About insulin administration
Because diabetes is caused by a shortage of insulin, your cat's insulin level must be restored with an insulin treatment such as Vetsulin. Your veterinarian will help you find your cat's correct dose and tailor your pet's prescription accordingly. Once you have the correct prescription, it is extremely important that you administer your cat's insulin treatment at the same time every day. Just like any routine, getting used to it at first will take a little time. However, once you and your pet become accustomed, you'll both find the process fairly simple and quick.
Starting Vetsulin therapy
After diagnosis, your veterinarian will configure your cat's starting dose, show you how to draw insulin from the vial, administer the injection, and monitor your cat's urine glucose level. During the first days of treatment, you and your veterinarian will monitor the effects of this dose on your cat's clinical signs (water and food intake, activity, urination frequency, etc.), and perhaps blood and urine glucose levels.
Based on the results of these investigations, your veterinarian will adjust the dose, if necessary, and again monitor your cat until the correct dose is established. This time period can vary from 1 week to 1 or 2 months. Patience is the key to success. Trying to regulate your pet too quickly can cause other complications, such as hypoglycemia.
What you will need to manage your cat's diabetes
- Vetsulin insulin for cats
- U-40 syringes (40 International Units [IU] per mL) with needles (these are designed specifically for use in small animals)
- Test strips (sticks) for testing urine for glucose
- Honey or corn syrup
- Quality cat food
Food and feeding essentials
Establishing a consistent, appropriate diet will enable your pet to get maximum benefit from Vetsulin treatment. Feeding guidelines include:
- Feed your cat twice a day just before each insulin dose or allow your cat to feed free-choice throughout the day and night.
- Establish regular feeding times.
- Feed your cat a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet, unless otherwise advised by your veterinarian. Because cats are meat eaters by nature, feeding a diet low in carbohydrates, can significantly improve your cat’s diabetes regulation. Canned foods are lower in carbohydrates, making them a better choice than dry foods.
- Aim to maintain your cat’s weight (unless it is over- or underweight).
- Overweight cats should be put on a reduced-calorie diet.
Long-term expectations
Although Vetsulin is not a cure for diabetes, it can help control or eliminate many of the complications associated with the disease (such as excessive thirst, urination, and weight loss) and prevent development of life-threatening ketoacidosis.
- Response varies from cat to cat but can be quite dramatic.
- In most cats, improvement can be seen within a few days.
- If Vetsulin is discontinued or not given as directed, signs of diabetes will likely return, and life-threatening complications such as ketoacidosis (high acidity in body fluids) may develop. Once they have been stabilized on insulin, most cats are able to lead a happy, healthy life. In fact, the life expectancy of cats on insulin is similar to that of other healthy cats.
Important Safety Information
Vetsulin should not be used in dogs or cats known to have a systemic allergy to pork or pork products, and is contraindicated during periods of hypoglycemia. Keep out of the reach of children. Animals presenting with severe ketoacidosis, anorexia, lethargy, and/or vomiting should be stabilized with short-acting insulin and appropriate supportive therapy until their condition is stabilized. As with all insulin products, careful patient monitoring for hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia are essential to attain and maintain adequate glycemic control and prevent associated complications. Overdosage can result in profound hypoglycemia and death. Please refer to the package insert for complete product information.
