Vetsulin for Dogs & Cats - Insulin U-40 10ml - [Diabetic Injection]

Vetsulin (porcine insulin zinc suspension) is the first and only FDA-approved insulin available in the U.S. for treating diabetic dogs and cats. Vetsulin controls levels of glucose in the blood to help alleviate diabetic symptoms. Vetsulin Insulin is available as a 10 ml vial that is used with U-40 insulin syringes (sold separately). Vetsulin requires a prescription from your veterinarian. Vetsulin Insulin requires refrigeration and must be kept at refrigerator temperatures at all times.

Key Benefits

• Controls your pet's glucose levels and alleviates symptoms of diabetes.
• Improvement can usually be seen within a few days.
• First and only FDA-approved pet insulin available in the U.S.

How It Works

Insulin is a hormone that is naturally produced by the pancreas. When the body does not produce enough insulin, or when the insulin produced is not effective, it results in diabetes mellitus. Vetsulin is an aqueous suspension of porcine (pork) insulin that controls hyperglycemia in pets with diabetes.

Indications

Vetsulin (porcine insulin zinc suspension) is indicated for the reduction of hyperglycemia and hyperglycemia-associated clinical signs in dogs and cats with diabetes mellitus.

View Vetsulin Drug Facts Sheet.

Dosage and Administration

FOR SUBCUTANEOUS INJECTION IN DOGS AND CATS ONLY

Vials: USE OF A SYRINGE OTHER THAN A U-40 SYRINGE WILL RESULT IN INCORRECT DOSING.

Shake the vial thoroughly until a homogeneous, uniformly milky suspension is obtained. Foam on the surface of the suspension formed during shaking should be allowed to disperse before the product is used and, if required, the product should be gently mixed to maintain a homogeneous, uniformly milky suspension before use. Clumps or white particles can form in insulin suspensions: do not use the product if visible clumps or white particles persist after shaking thoroughly.

Cartridges: VETSULIN CARTRIDGES SHOULD BE USED EXCLUSIVELY WITH VETPEN AND 29G/12 MM PEN NEEDLES.

Prior to loading vetsulin cartridges, shake the cartridge until a homogeneous, uniformly milky suspension is obtained. Clumps or white particles can form in insulin suspensions: do not use the product if visible clumps or white particles persist after shaking.

The detailed instructions for use provided with VetPen should be strictly followed.

The injection should be administered subcutaneously, 2 to 5 cm (3/4 to 2 in) from the dorsal midline, varying from behind the scapulae to the mid-lumbar region and alternating sides.

Always provide the Owner Information Sheet with each prescription.

Dogs

The initial recommended vetsulin dose is 0.5 IU insulin/kg body weight. Initially, this dose should be given once daily concurrently with, or right after a meal.

Twice daily therapy should be initiated if the duration of insulin action is determined to be inadequate. If twice daily treatment is initiated, the two doses should each be 25% less than the once daily dose required to attain an acceptable nadir. For example, if a dog receiving 20 units of vetsulin® once daily has an acceptable nadir but inadequate duration of activity, the vetsulin®dose should be changed to 15 units twice daily.

The veterinarian should re-evaluate the dog at appropriate intervals and adjust the dose based on clinical signs, urinalysis results, and glucose curve values until adequate glycemic control has been attained. Further adjustments in dosage may be necessary with changes in the dog's diet, body weight, or concomitant medication, or if the dog develops concurrent infection, inflammation, neoplasia, or an additional endocrine or other medical disorder.

Cats

The initial recommended dose in cats is 1 to 2 IU per injection. The injections should be given twice daily at approximately 12 hour intervals. For cats fed twice daily, the injections should be given concurrently with, or right after each meal. For cats fed ad libitum, no change in feeding schedule is needed

The veterinarian should re-evaluate the cat at appropriate intervals and adjust the dose based on clinical signs, urinalysis results, and glucose curve values until adequate glycemic control has been attained. Further adjustments in dosage may be necessary with changes in the cat's diet, body weight, or concomitant medication, or if the cat develops concurrent infection, inflammation, neoplasia, or an additional endocrine or other medical disorder.

Caution:

Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.

Contraindications:

Dogs and cats known to have a systemic allergy to pork or pork products should not be treated with vetsulin. vetsulin® is contraindicated during periods of hypoglycemia.

Warnings:

User Safety: For use in animals only. Keep out of the reach of children. Avoid contact with eyes. In case of contact, immediately flush eyes with copious amounts of water for 15 minutes. Accidental injection may cause clinical hypoglycemia. In case of accidental injection, seek medical attention immediately. Exposure to product may induce a local or systemic allergic reaction in sensitized individuals.

Animal Safety: Owners should be advised to observe for signs of hypoglycemia (see Owner Information Sheet). Use of this product, even at established doses, has been associated with hypoglycemia. An animal with signs of hypoglycemia should be treated immediately. Glucose should be given orally or intravenously as dictated by clinical signs. Insulin should be temporarily withheld and, subsequently, the dosage should be adjusted, if indicated. Any change in insulin should be made cautiously and only under a veterinarian's supervision. Changes in insulin strength, manufacturer, type, species (animal, human) or method of manufacture (rDNA versus animal-source insulin) may result in the need for a change in dosage.

Appropriate diagnostic tests should be performed to rule out endocrinopathies in pets that are difficult to regulate (e.g., hyperadrenocorticism in dogs and hyperthyroidism in cats).

Precautions:

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. Progestogens, certain endocrinopathies, and glucocorticoids can have an antagonistic effect on insulin activity. Intact bitches should be ovariohysterectomized.

Progestogen and glucocorticoid use should be avoided.

Injection Tips

• If necessary, ask someone to hold your dog prior to injecting Vetsulin (porcine insulin zinc suspension).
• Location of injection should be altered from behind shoulder blade to slightly in front of hip bone - it depends upon your veterinarian's recommendation and what suits you and your dog.
• Alternate injection site between left and right side for more comfort.
• Give your dog her favorite food as you administer the injection.