Diabetes mellitus is a disorder of the pancreas characterized by insufficient production of insulin and high blood glucose (sugar). Insulin acts to move blood sugar into cells after eating, thereby lowering the blood glucose. Diabetes in dogs is typically of the type I variety, meaning there is an absolute lack of insulin. In many cats, as in people, diabetes mellitus is often of the type II variety. In type II diabetes, the cells are resistant to the effects of available insulin.
The only effective treatments for type I diabetes in dogs and cats are appropriate diet, exercise and injections of insulin.
Insulin is a hormone formed and released by the beta cells residing in the pancreas in response to a meal. When insulin is not produced in sufficient quantities, it can be administered in the form of an injection.
There are various types of insulin treatments, each with different duration of effectiveness.
Most currently available insulin for injection is synthetic, but some types are derived from animals (bovine or porcine).
Brand Names and Other Names
* Humulin® R (Lilly), Humulin® N (Lilly), Humulin® U Ultralente (Lilly), Novalin® N (Novo-Nordisk), Iletin® II,NPH (Lilly),Regular Insulin (Novo-Nordisk); and various generic brands.
* Insulin is available over the counter but should never be administered without direction of a veterinarian.
Uses of Insulin
* Insulin is used to control blood sugar in diabetic animals.
* Insulin has also been used to temporarily reduce life-threatening levels of blood potassium related to certain medical conditions. Potassium ions enter the cell with glucose; this is facilitated by insulin.
Precautions and Side Effects
* Insulin resistance has been known to occur. This means the pet will not respond appropriately to the scheduled dose of insulin.
* Avoid injecting insulin at the same site day after day.
* Overdoses of insulin can result in life-threatening low blood sugar. This can lead to weakness, depression, and abnormal behavior.
* Diabetic coma, seizures, or death can occur from inappropriate insulin doses.
* Caution must be used to properly store insulin and mix correctly. Shaking the bottle may breakdown the insulin and renders it non-therapeutic.
* Do not use expired insulin.
How Insulin Is Supplied
* Insulin is available in several forms, including Regular, Ultralente, Lente, NPH and PZI and various combinations. Your veterinarian will prescribe the insulin preparation most appropriate for the pet (depends on species, severity of disease, and response to the various forms of insulin).
* Insulin is available in 100 units/ml and, rarely, 40 units/ml.
* Insulin is fragile and must be stored according to label directions. Insulin is supplied as a suspension and must be gently mixed (not shaken) by rolling the bottle back and forth prior to administration.
* Insulin must be injected. In order to administer insulin, specific insulin syringes must be purchased. Care must be taken to purchase those syringes that match the type of insulin that is given. The needle on an insulin syringe is very small and sharp and causes minimal if any discomfort when inserted under the skin.
Dosing Information
* The dose and type of insulin vary on the severity of the diabetes. In severely ill pets with ketosis, regular insulin is used at a dose of 0.05 to 0.1 units per pound every one to four hours.
* Once regulated, the animal is prescribed longer-acting insulin and the dose is regulated depending on clinical symptoms, blood sugar, and specialized tests which measure the blood glucose over time.
* Commonly, animals are started on 0.25 to 0.5 units per pound one to two times daily.
* Frequent blood sugar tests must be done to determine the appropriate dose.
* Doses of insulin are frequently altered throughout the animal’s life.
* Diet and exercise will effect the insulin dosage. Increased food intake typically increases the need; exercise may lower the insulin dose. Special diets can also help to regulate the diabetic. These are often high in fiber.
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