Novolin/ReliOn insulin vs Vetsulin

[crimedog2386]

My dog is currently using Vetsulin and is pretty well regulated. I am considering changing from Vetsulin to Novolin/ReliOn insulin though due to convenience (vet is 2 1/2 hours away where Walmart is 5 mins away) and the fact that Novolin/ReliOn is cheaper. I am wondering which insulin to get though. I saw there are three types of Novolin: N, R, and 70/30. Which one would you recommend?

[Riliey and Mo]

Re: Novolin/ReliOn insulin vs Vetsulin

Can you tell us more about your dog?
Weight, what food, how much, how much insulin?

Got a recent curve, lets see , when you got some time, this will tell you a lot

Theres a link here on the forum board to guide you through insulin , take a look


Mo

[CraigM]

Re: Novolin/ReliOn insulin vs Vetsulin

Vetsulin is designed for dogs and might have some advantages.

Having said that, I'm sticking with Novolin-N mainly because of the cost. The cost difference can be substantial if the pup requires more than one vial per month. I also prefer the thinner U-100 syringes that are used with Novolin-N. So, I guess as long as one home tests, the switch to Novolin-N might be worth trying. If it doesn't work out for your pup, you could always change back to Vetsulin.

Novolin-N is the type we generally use. A few of us might mix a tiny amount of Novolin-R (faster acting) with the "N", but you probably wouldn't want to try that unless your testing / curves show that the "R" might help.

VERY IMPORTANT: You must switch to U-100 syringes when using Novolin! When I switched from Vetsulin to Novolin-N years ago, I disposed of the U-40 syringes right away to prevent any accident!

Tell us more about your pup

Craig

[farrwf]

Re: Novolin/ReliOn insulin vs Vetsulin

Sure wouldn't hurt to try it and see if it works as well as the Vetsulin does for your pup. You always have the option to go back to Vetsulin.

[Eddie]

Re: Novolin/ReliOn insulin vs Vetsulin

It might be different here (in England) but I get Caninsulin (same as Vetsulin) online as it is less than half the price that the vet charges me. I wonder if you might be able to get it online as well to make it easier than havign a long drive for it.

I get three months' worth in one order (I have to email them a vet prescription) and they send it overnight in a chilled packet. Slightly higher transport costs than usual but it still works out cheaper than the vet and easier as I keep a good stock here.

Antonia

[Judi]

Re: Novolin/ReliOn insulin vs Vetsulin

just to be clear, if you do decide to give Novolin a try you want the N. That is the one that is supposed to last 12 hours and the one that many of us use.

let us know how it goes.

I've never used vetsulin but I know Craig is always reminding people that the syringes are entirely different for vetsulin and Novolin so be careful!

[crimedog2386]

Re: Novolin/ReliOn insulin vs Vetsulin

Thanks for the information. I will probably try the Novolin N. You had asked for some more information on my dog, so here it is. My dog is a 4 and 1/2 year old male black lab named Dexter who weighs about 65 lbs. He was diagnosed with cushings and diabetes in late August. He gets 120mg of Vetoryl for the cushings every morning, and he gets about 15 units of vetsulin twice a day. I feed him DCO dry dog food 2.5 cups twice a day. I check his blood sugar every couple of days and he usually measures 160.

[Monsters Momma]

Re: Novolin/ReliOn insulin vs Vetsulin

Thanks for the information. I will probably try the Novolin N. You had asked for some more information on my dog, so here it is. My dog is a 4 and 1/2 year old male black lab named Dexter who weighs about 65 lbs. He was diagnosed with cushings and diabetes in late August. He gets 120mg of Vetoryl for the cushings every morning, and he gets about 15 units of vetsulin twice a day. I feed him DCO dry dog food 2.5 cups twice a day. I check his blood sugar every couple of days and he usually measures 160.

What a great name for a black lab!!! But then, I'm kind of partial to black lab's!

Welcome to the forum! My lab is also on Vetsulin and believe me, I know the costs add up. I am quite tempted to change myself, but part of me is with Mo...if it ain't broke. We have Vinny as close as we ever have without tweaking anymore after close to 6 months! I hope you'll keep us updated on how it goes!

Good luck
Mel

[Emily]

Re: Novolin/ReliOn insulin vs Vetsulin

Hello to you and Dexter.....

My dog, Elliot, began his diabetic life on Novolin, but it didn't work for him and after 3 months we switched to Vetsulin (and the u-40 syringes). Although we have had a lot of bumps in our road, the Vetsulin has worked for him.

I get it online at Drs. Foster & Smith. It's $40 per vial and they ship overnight for $25....so I order several vials at a time. Elliot requires 13 units 2x/day....so we go through approx. 2 vials a month. I understand the expense.

The only caution I would bring up regarding switching insulin is that you may want to get a clearer picture of Dexter's blood sugar curve before making your decision. If you have curve data before the switch you will be able to determine if the switch is successful. You can easily do a curve at home by checking Dexter's blood sugar every 2 hours for a 12 hour period. Doing that 3 different times can give you some really great info about how his body responds to the Vetsulin.

Best of luck to you and Dexter!

[pachins]

Re: Novolin/ReliOn insulin vs Vetsulin

How do doses compare between Novolin/ReliOn insulin and Vetsulin? My dog is currently on 15 units every 12 hours - She is an 80 black lab mix.

[CraigM]

Re: Novolin/ReliOn insulin vs Vetsulin

How do doses compare between Novolin/ReliOn insulin and Vetsulin? My dog is currently on 15 units every 12 hours - She is an 80 black lab mix.

Many of us who switched ended up at about the same dosage. For safety, you might want to reduce about 10% and blood test for a couple of days. The shape of the curve might change so a full curve should be done. Also, remember you must change syringes (important!) to U-100 syringes for Novolin-N. That brings up that we are talking about Novolin-N and not the other versions of Novolin.

If you haven't already done so, start a fresh thread for your pup. Tell us all about her. Weight, how long diabetic, do you home blood test, really anything you want to share with us.

Craig

[pugmom2]

Best time to go for a walk with a diabetic dog

When is the best time to take my dog for his walk? He has been going in the evening after dinner and his insulin but I have noticed his numbers have been higher in the morning. What is a good time frame for walks and insulin? If I need to I can start his walk in morning or late afternoon. What seems to work for everyone? He has his check up in 2 weeks so I will be talking to the vet then. He takes Vetsulin and is on a chart system. At dinner time he gets 10-11 units of insulin and at breakfast it has been 12 units lately. He is 10 1/2 and is 22lbs. His walks are very slow and last around 10-15 minutes. Numbers in morning are 400's and in evening are between 250-360. He is a Pug and has been diabetic for a year. He gets 3/4 to 1 cup of dog food in the morning and in the evening. Thanks for any helpful information.

[jesse girl]

Re: Novolin/ReliOn insulin vs Vetsulin

thats a difficult question to answer for your individual pup . my jesse could drop by a 100 points or more on a walk

what i looked for was when insulin was weak in her system . that was write before shot and food so she goes out for her walk twice a day morning an hour long before snack and evening before dinner

so the easiest way to see if its a good time for a walk is to test blood sugar write before and write after to see how sugar is affected . sometimes it can drop if insulin is still active and it can rise if insulin is weak . so the best time maybe when blood sugar is least affected but some use it to lower sugar as part of there program

my jesse needed a snack and or some honey before her walks but after time she adapted and did not need the sugar boost . so thats the key like everything else a repeatable routine day in day out including walks