Vetsulin®

ORDER NOW
Vetsulin is the first insulin approved to manage canine and feline diabetes

Transitioning to Vetsulin®

Learn More About Dosing & Administration

Transitioning to Vetsulin® for Cats

Evaluate Reason for Switching Insulin Products

Is the cat adequately regulated on its current insulin or is one of the following factors causing problems:

  • Is human error occurring?
  • Is the insulin out of date, improperly stored, or misused?
  • Does the cat have a concurrent disorder?

Identifying Any Resolvable Issues

After ruling out resolvable issues or possible concurrent disorders, simply discontinue use of the current insulin and begin administration of Vetsulin® (porcine insulin zinc suspension) at 1-2 IU per injection, twice daily.

Evaluate Your Patient Within 1 to 2 Weeks

Evaluate 1-2 weeks after starting Vetsulin, or earlier if clinical signs of hypoglycemia develop. Check factors including water consumption, urine frequency and volume, activity level, and weight changes.

If clinical signs of polyuria, polydipsia, and weight loss have not resolved, you may need to increase the cat’s dose by 0.5-1 IU per injection.

To learn more, read the Transitioning Feline Patients with Diabetes Mellitus to Vetsulin® conversion chart.

Help Your Practice Manage Diabetes Mellitus

Check out these tools and resources to help manage feline diabetes.

female veterinarian reviewing a chart

Blood Glucose Curve Generator

Create a blood glucose curve to monitor and evaluate diabetes treatments.

Get Started

Client Discharge Form

Create a customized, printable form for clients about their new diagnosis.

View Form

Diabetes Resources

Access online tools and more to support staff and pet parents.

Read More

No items to show.

View all Resources

Learn More About Dosing & Administration

Important Safety Information:

Vetsulin® should not be used in dogs known to have a systemic allergy to pork or pork products. Vetsulin is contraindicated during periods of hypoglycemia. Keep out of reach of children. As with all insulin products, careful patient monitoring for hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia is essential to attain and maintain adequate glycemic control and prevent associated complications. Overdosage can result in profound hypoglycemia and death. The safety and effectiveness of Vetsulin in puppies, breeding, pregnant, and lactating dogs has not been evaluated. See package insert for full information regarding contraindications, warnings, and precautions.

References:

1. Martin GJ, Rand JS. Pharmacology of a 40 IU/ml porcine lente insulin preparation in diabetic cats: findings during the first week and after 5 or 9 weeks of therapy. J Feline Med Surg. 2001;3(1):23–30. 2. Vetsulin® (porcine insulin zinc suspension) [Freedom of Information Summary]. Millsboro, DE: Intervet Inc.; 2008. 3. Data on file, Merck Animal Health. 4. Graham PA, Nash AS, McKellar QA. Pharmacokinetics of porcine insulin zinc suspension in diabetic dogs. J Small Anim Pract. 1997;38(10):434–438. 5. Martin GJ, Rand JS. Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Study of Caninsulin in Cats with Diabetes Mellitus. 2000: Internal Study Report. 6. Feldman EC, Nelson RW. Canine and Feline Endocrinology and Reproduction. 3rd ed. St. Louis, MO: Saunders; 2004:539–579. 7. Tennant B, ed. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary. 4th ed. Gloucestershire, UK: British Small Animal Veterinary Association; 2002. 8. Feldman EC, Nelson RW. Canine and Feline Endocrinology and Reproduction. 3rd ed. St. Louis, MO: Saunders; 2004:486–538. 9. Reusch C. Feline diabetes mellitus. In: Ettinger SJ, Feldman EC, eds. Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 7th ed. St. Louis, MO: Saunders; 2010:1796–1816. 10. Nelson RW. Canine diabetes mellitus. In: Ettinger SJ, Feldman EC, eds. Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 7th ed. St. Louis, MO: Saunders; 2010:1782–1796. 11. Burgaud S, Riant S, Piau N. Comparative laboratory evaluation of dose delivery using a veterinary insulin pen. In: Proceedings of the WSAVA/FECAVA/BSAVA congress; 12–15 April 2012; Birmingham, UK. Abstract 121. 12. Burgaud S, Guillot R, Harnois-Milon G. Clinical evaluation of a veterinary insulin pen in diabetic dogs. In: Proceedings of the WSAVA/ FECAVA/BSAVA congress; 12–15 April 2012; Birmingham, UK. Abstract 122. 13. Burgaud S, Guillot R, Harnois-Milon G. Clinical evaluation of a veterinary insulin pen in diabetic cats. In: Proceedings of the WSAVA/FECAVA/BSAVA congress; 12–15 April 2012; Birmingham, UK. Abstract 45. 14. Davison LJ, Walding B, Herrtage ME, Catchpole B. Anti-insulin antibodies in diabetic dogs before and after treatment with different insulin preparations. J Vet Intern Med. 2008;22:1317-1325. 15. Banfield State of Pet Health 2016 Report. p 12-13.