Caninsulin is prescribed for pets that are diagnosed as diabetic, or suffering diabetes mellitus.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus (commonly called diabetes) is a disease caused by the body producing a deficiency of insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas, which regulates the amount of glucose in the blood. Using insulin, the body is able to use glucose for energy.  Insulin also helps balance blood glucose levels. 

When the body either produces no insulin, or not enough insulin, diabetes occurs. Humans and pets get diabetes! 

It is estimated that 1 in 500 dogs suffer from the signs of diabetes mellitus

 

Diabetes - better managed, better outcomes

Because of improvements in veterinary science, vets are better able to identify, understand and treat diabetes in pets, including diabetic dogs and diabetic cats. Feline and Canine diabetes can be managed successfully with the correct diagnosis and treatment, which includes insulin therapy using drugs like Caninsulin (called Vetsulin in the USA).

Diabetes can be managed to give your pet a good quality of life and, when diagnosed early and treated and monitored adequately, your pet has a good prognosis - the expected lifespan of a diabetic dog or cat should be the same as a non-diabetic dog or cat. With management and treatment, your pet can live a happy, healthy life.

What is Caninsulin?

Caninsulin is an insulin treatment used to treat feline diabetes and canine diabetes.  All insulin treatments mimic the natural increases and decreases of insulin levels in the body during the day. The dosages and types of insulin affects how fast and for how long they work. 

Caninsulin is an intermediate-acting insulin, containing porcine insulin.

 

What can I expect when my pet starts on Caninsulin?

  • Initially - Because every pet, and their response to insulin, is unique, an initial stabilization period is required. In this initial period, your vet will monitor your pet’s response to the dosage of Caninsulin and may make adjustments. Your vet may discuss a daily routine for meals and insulin, as well as lifestyle changes to your pet’s diet and exercise.  Response varies from animal to animal but can be quite dramatic. In most cases, improvement can be seen within a few days

Other medications may also interfere with your pet’s response to insulin. Tell your veterinarian about all the medicines you have given your pet in the past, and any medicines that you are planning to give with Caninsulin. This should include other medicines that you can get without a prescription. 

  • Once my pet is stabilized - After your pet and their response to Caninsulin has been stabilized or regulated successfully, continued regular checks with your vet will limit any long term complications associated with diabetes.

 

How to give Caninsulin to my pet?

Caninsulin comes in either vials (for drawing into a syringe) or in the Caninsulin VetPen. In both cases, a liquid is injected into the pet. 

Most animals are braver than humans about needles!  Some useful tips for you:

  • Stay calm.  Remember - a relaxed pet owner helps your fur-baby relax! They pick up on your stress!
  • Make positive associations - maybe give the Caninsulin to your pet whilst eating or having a treat (whilst following vet advice regarding meals schedules)
  • Ask for help.  If it isn’t going well, ask for tips or further instruction from your pet’s vet or vet nurse.

 

What if I give too much Caninsulin? What if I miss a dose of Caninsulin or give the wrong dose of Caninsulin? Administration of drug issues

  • Too much Caninsulin? 

An overdose, where your pet is given too much caninsulin can be life-threatening, as severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) can result. Contact your veterinarian immediately.  Your pet may need to be hospitalized for observation or treatment.

  • Too little Caninsulin? 

A missed or inadequate dose may cause temporary recurrence of signs (such as excess thirst and urination) but is not life threatening.  If you suspect you’ve only given a partial dose, do not attempt to re-dose. Wait and give your pet its usual dose at the next injection time.  However, monitor your pet carefully at this time.

Storage of Caninsulin

The manufacturer of Caninsulin recommends that it be stored in a refrigerator (and not frozen).  

However, you and your pet might be out and about for the day, and you need to take your pet’s insulin with you - don’t worry!  Insulin can be stored at room temperature (below 25C) for up to 4 weeks, so you can take your pet’s insulin with you in your bag.  Insulin products should not be exposed to excessive heat or light - don’t leave it in a hot car!  For more information about storing insulin, take a look at the National Diabetes Services Scheme factsheet 

When you are ready to use the vial, gently invert (upend) the vial several times, to mix the components of Caninsulin.  The liquid in the vial should then appear uniformly milky, without lumps or clumps.  Do not use the vial if you see lumps or clumps in the vial .  Do not use if the liquid is cloudy, discoloured or unusually viscous. 

 

Always check on the appearance of the Caninsulin before using it!

Who should NOT take Caninsulin?

  • Not for use in animals known to be allergic to pork or pork products. 
  • Not for use during periods of hypoglycemia. If you think your pet is hypoglycemic, call your vet immediately.
  • Not for use in breeding, pregnant or lactating animals, as its safety and efficacy has not been evaluated in these animals. 
  • Some other medicines can interfere with your pet’s response to insulin, including progestogen (such as megestrol) and glucocorticoids (such as cortisone, prednisone, dexamethasone, triamcinolone). Your veterinarian will check that all of your pet’s medications can be given together.

 

As with all insulin products, careful patient monitoring for hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar)  is essential.

What are the danger signs of Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)?

Low blood sugar in your pet can be life-threatening and is an emergency. You need to watch for the symptoms of hypoglycemia - the signs of hypoglycemia may occur suddenly and can include: 

  • Loss of consciousness/coma
  • Seizures
  • Vomiting
  • loss of bowel/bladder control
  • Confusion, dizziness sleepiness, unresponsiveness- if you call your pet and he/she fails to respond, or is slow to respond
  • Muscle twitching or trembling
  • Weakness
  • Depression or lethargy 
  • Behavioural changes - some pets even become aggressive
  • Anxiety - sometimes pets become more vocal as a symptom of low blood sugar
  • loss of coordination and balance 

 

If your diabetic pet is showing any of these signs, this is a medical emergency.  Contact your veterinarian urgently!  

Your vet may instruct you to immediately administer a glucose solution or honey (1g per kilogram body weight) by rubbing the honey onto the animal’s gums - do not force large volumes of fluid into your pet’s mouth at this time.

Can I buy Caninsulin Online?

Caninsulin is a prescription medicine, and you can buy it online from PetScripts once you have a script (prescription) from your vet.  Please ensure that you have read the How to Order page before ordering this item.

How does PetScripts ship Insulin

Items that require refrigeration including Caninsulin, are packed in a styrofoam box with ice brick(s). Please note items that require refrigeration can only be delivered by express post and only to postcodes within the Australia Post Express Network and may be shipped only early in the week to ensure they arrive cold.

Disclaimer

This information is not intended nor is it implied to be a substitute for professional medical or veterinary advice or any information contained on or in any product packaging or labels. Always seek the advice of your Veterinarian, Pharmacist, or qualified health provider when starting any new medical treatment, continuing with medical treatment or with any questions you may have regarding your animal's medical condition. Professional advice is required for each particular illness, disease, infection, injury or other medical condition and for dosages of the pharmaceutical product supplied via this website. You take full and total responsibility for what you do with this information and any resulting outcomes from your actions.

NOTHING CONTAINED IN THE SERVICE IS INTENDED TO BE OR SHOULD BE TAKEN FOR MEDICAL OR VETERINARY DIAGNOSIS OR TREATMENT.

IF YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY OR NEED IMMEDIATE MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR YOUR PET, PLEASE CONSULT AN ANIMAL HOSPITAL OR EMERGENCY VETERINARY FACILITY.