Cats: Vetsulin dosing and administration

Problems with regulation

In cases of poor glycemic control, make a blood glucose curve and check for other concurrent or underlying disorders.

  • Discuss the daily routine with the pet owner—are injections and meals correctly timed? See Feeding schedule.
  • Ask for a breakdown of exactly what the pet eats—perhaps the pet is receiving too many snacks or the incorrect diet. See Nutrition.

Factors thought to contribute to a poor response to insulin treatment:

In cases of a poor response to insulin therapy, it is important to rule out these factors first.

Incorrect storage of insulin or poor injection technique:

  • Ask the client to bring the pet into your clinic.
  • Ask the owner to demonstrate the injection technique.
    • Is the correct dose being drawn into the syringe?
    • Is the Vetsulin® (porcine insulin zinc suspension) being correctly injected subcutaneously and not intradermally?
  • Is the Vetsulin being stored and used correctly?
    • Refrigerated at the correct temperature?
    • Stored in an upright position?
    • Refrigerated between doses?

See Proper handling and storage of Vetsulin.