Treating Dog Diabetes With Vetsulin
Many veterinarians are now using Vetsulin to treat diabetes in dogs. If your dog has Type II diabetes or canine diabetes mellitus, it is likely that your vet will prescribe Vetsulin as it is the first, and so far only, insulin approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat canine diabetes mellitus. It is available by prescription only.
Diabetes In Dogs
It is very common for a dog to develop diabetes mellitus or Type II diabetes. In fact, it is estimated that about one in 500 dogs suffers from signs of diabetes mellitus. Some dog breeds, including Cairn Terriers, Dachshunds, Schnauzers, Poodles, Keeshonds, Beagles and Cocker Spaniels seem to be more likely to develop this type of diabetes than other breeds. Diabetes is also more common in obese dogs.
Dog Diabetes: Scary But Not Fatal
If your dog has been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, it can be kind of scary. The good news is that you can relax because this type of diabetes is not fatal and with proper care, your dog buddy can continue to live a good life for many years.
What Is Vetsulin?
Vetsulin has actually been around for many years and has been used for treating diabetes in dogs in more than 30 other countries before being approved for use here in the U.S. It was called Caninsulin® in these other countries and was first registered for use in Australia in 1990. This means there is nearly two decades of history that have proven Vetsulin to be both safe and effective.
Vetsulin is an intermediate-acting form of insulin. It contains 30% amorphous insulin which allows it to go to work quickly. Its activity usually peaks about four hours after injection and lasts eight hours. The other 70% of Vetsulin is crystalline insulin, which is more slow acting and usually peaks about 11 hours after you administer it to your dog.
How Vetsulin Is Administered?
Your vet will give you the exact instructions for administering Vetsulin to your dog. As a rule, you will initially give it to your dog once a day by injection – under its skin – with its meal or right after it eats. Your vet will reevaluate your dog at appropriate intervals and most likely, adjust the Vetsulin dosage in 10% increments, based on how the dog looks, the results of a urinalysis and glucose curve/spot check values, until the diabetes has been brought under control.
What is different about Vetsulin?
Without getting too technical, Vetsulin has the same amino acid sequence as natural canine insulin vs. the amino acid sequence found in the biosynthetic human insulin that is often given to diabetic dogs. It is believed that this similar structure does a better job of regulating blood glucose and decreases the possibility that the dog will develop anti-insulin antibodies.
What Is Canine Diabetes Mellitus?
Canine diabetes is caused when your dog’s pancreas stops producing the hormone insulin or if certain body tissues become resistant to the action of the insulin. As a result, your dog’s body will no longer be able to control its blood sugar and it will develop hyperglycemia, meaning that its blood sugar levels are too high. Why this happens is still a mystery but heredity and/or chronic pancreatitis may be the culprit.
A Change In Diet
Your vet will probably also advise you to switch the dog to a high protein/low carbohydrate diet – especially if you have been feeding the dog a steady diet of dry food.
The problem with dry food is that it is usually very high in carbohydrates, and this can contribute to the diabetes. On the other hand, a food high in protein and low in carbs will help keep the dog’s glucose level from elevating after the dog has eaten, and will help regulate its blood glucose.
Keeping Dog Diabetes Under Control
The reason why you will need to give your dog Vetsulin every day is that if the diabetes is left uncontrolled, your dog can suffer serious consequences. For example, it can become ketotic which may lead to depression vomiting, weakness and rapid breathing.
Dog Diabetes Will Affect Your Life Too
Do you have a friend or relative with diabetes? Then you already know that he or she must take insulin every day for the rest of his or her life. And the same will be true for your dog. You will need to be there for it every day unless you’re lucky and have a friend or neighbor who will step in and administer the insulin in your absence.
If you have to inject your dog with Vetsulin daily and carefully monitor its blood sugar and diet – it’s no walk in the park. You will have to be a careful and patient dog owner. But your reward will be more years of life with a happy and loving companion.