Caninsulin V Vetsulin

[BestBuddy]

Even though Buddy doesn't use Caninsulin any more I still have an interest in what is happening. Buddy was using Caninsulin for over four years with great success. I checked www.caninsulin.com site and it doesn't look like they have updated the dosage guidelines. Maybe they are just slow which could be dangerous. I have a vet visit tonight so I will ask the vet (who recommends Caninsulin) if he has heard anything.
Jenny & Buddy

[We Hope]

Re: Caninsulin V Vetsulin

Jenny,

The Vetsulin link was the first place I have seen the dosage changes.

http://www.vetsulin.com/PDF/Vetsulin...tor_Letter.pdf

When we started with Caninsulin/Vetsulin for Lucky, we didn't use the Intervet dosing guidelines. Lucky originally regulated on Iletin II Lente, which was a U 100 pork Lente insulin Lilly used to make. Novo used to make a version of it also, called Monotard Pork. The difference in these 3 insulins besides the maker is that the Lilly and Novo insulins were U 100 while Caninsulin/Vetsulin is U 40.

When we started the Iletin II Lente, we did that according to body weight. We knew up front how many units kept him well controlled, so when we went to Caninsulin/Vetsulin, we based the initial dose on his old Iletin II Lente one. So he was switched just as their dosing indicates now--so much of a unit per kg of body weight.

Your vet might want to ask why the dosing instructions have been changed in the US but apparently not elsewhere and if/when the others might have theirs changed too.

[BestBuddy]

Re: Caninsulin V Vetsulin

We Hope,
I will certainly ask the vet if he knows anything. When Buddy was first dx we used the Caninsulin guidelines for starting and Buddy has several hypos in the first week so we cut back the dose and luckily very quickly had success. We probably would have been better starting on the new Vetsulin guidelines and moving up to get it right. Buddy had a great vet (we have since moved) and only several minutes away so one of the severe hypos was only a two minute trip to the vet for a glucose injection. We were very aware of watching for hypos and caught them quickly because our vet involved us in the decisions and treatment and gave us some great information. I know recommended insulin dosages are only guidelines but wouldn't it be nice if all our dogs followed the rules exactly!
Jenny & Buddy

[We Hope]

Re: Caninsulin V Vetsulin

Jenny,

When you compare the dosing instructions, the starting dose has been cut in half here.

http://www.vetsulin.com/PDF/Vetsulin...tor_Letter.pdf

"The revised starting dose for dogs 0.5 IU insulin/kg body weight"

That makes it 1/2 IU insulin for every 2.2 lb body weight.

Here's the dosing guidelines from caninsulin.com:

http://www.caninsulin.com/documents/061626.pdf

Page 3 of 8

"The initial starting dose for dogs is 1 IU/kg plus, if required, a supplemental dose based on body weight."

So even if we ignore the supplemental dose for now, we see here 1 IU for every 2.2 lb of body weight.

I remember when we went over the dosing tables--we realized that would be a lot more insulin than Lucky had good control on. We didn't see any reason not to switch him the way we did--based on so much of a unit per weight. Lucky was getting two shots a day of Iletin II Lente and we knew he would be receiving two shots a day of Caninsulin/Vetsulin. So we never tried the once a day either. Lucky never had a true hypo incident--he had only one big low we gave syrup for when he finally regulated with the Iletin II Lente.

Looks like you have a lot to tell your vet re: the halving of the Vetsulin starting dose!

[BestBuddy]

Re: Caninsulin V Vetsulin

Well the vet had not heard of the new Vetsulin dosing. I may even email Caninsulin and see what they have to say. Caninsulin has been approved in Australia for around 20 years and approved for cats for at least 6 (when we started) so there are some differences in the rules between USA and Australia. I'll be back if I get any answers.
Jenny & Buddy