Vetsulin vs. Human Insulin

[BMarra]

Hello Everyone - I wanted to start a new thread on this subject so hopefully many will respond.

I would like to know if anyone started out using Vetsulin and ended up changing to human insulin for better control.

Since being diagnosed in April, my Lacie has gone from 5 units of Vetsulin twice a day to now 8 units twice a day and her numbers are very high. I thought I was getting good control about a week ago when Lacie had in range levels for about 3 days then I started a new vial of Vetsulin and her numbers have shot up into the 300s and 400's.

I just don't think the Vetsulin is working for her. When I did the last curve on Sunday she started out in the 400's before meal/insulin and then 4 hrs later she started going into the 200's and stayed in that range for about 7 hrs but then back up again into the 400's.

Below is testing from last night. You will see she had a drop 2 1/2 hrs. after insulin but then 5 1/2 hrs. after she went back up. Does this say anything about the Vetsulin's effectiveness? Also, note that testing at 9:00 PM Monday night and 9:00 PM Tuesday night were about identical, 286 and 280 respectively.

6:00 PM (Before meal/insulin @ 6:30) = 453
9:00 PM = 280
12:00 AM = 382
This morning @ 6:00 AM = 462

Do you think changing insulin is the next step or more increases with the Vetsulin?

Thanks everyone!
Brenda

[CraigM]

Re: Vetsulin vs. Human Insulin

Hello Everyone - I wanted to start a new thread on this subject so hopefully many will respond.

I would like to know if anyone started out using Vetsulin and ended up changing to human insulin for better control.

Since being diagnosed in April, my Lacie has gone from 5 units of Vetsulin twice a day to now 8 units twice a day and her numbers are very high. I thought I was getting good control about a week ago when Lacie had in range levels for about 3 days then I started a new vial of Vetsulin and her numbers have shot up into the 300s and 400's.

I just don't think the Vetsulin is working for her. When I did the last curve on Sunday she started out in the 400's before meal/insulin and then 4 hrs later she started going into the 200's and stayed in that range for about 7 hrs but then back up again into the 400's.

Below is testing from last night. You will see she had a drop 2 1/2 hrs. after insulin but then 5 1/2 hrs. after she went back up. Does this say anything about the Vetsulin's effectiveness? Also, note that testing at 9:00 PM Monday night and 9:00 PM Tuesday night were about identical, 286 and 280 respectively.

6:00 PM (Before meal/insulin @ 6:30) = 453
9:00 PM = 280
12:00 AM = 382
This morning @ 6:00 AM = 462

Do you think changing insulin is the next step or more increases with the Vetsulin?

Thanks everyone!
Brenda

Many of the "old timers" started on Vetsulin and then switched to an NPH insulin like Novolin-n or Humulin-N. This wasn't because Vetsulin wasn't working, but because the old Vetsulin was removed from sale in the U.S.. Others may have switched because of the lower cost of Novolin-n. In fact, I'm thinking there were some pups that were started on a human NPH insulin who were switch to Vetsulin.

In your case, I do think a small increase in the Vetsulin would possibly give you a nice curve. Also, Vetsulin is sort of made of both a combination fast acting and intermediate acting insulin, whereas NPH is only an intermediate acting insulin. So your curve might change shape and you might see BGs increase for an hour or two after injecting NPH instead of the nice decrease you are currently seeing with Vetsulin.

If you are needing to save money, then going to Novolin-N from Walmart might be an answer. At 8 units per shot your 400 unit vial of Vetsulin will run dry in 25 days. Assuming the same 8 units per shot, the 1000 unit vial of Novolin-N would never run out, but you would probably throw away 25% after around 6 weeks due to age. (some switch bottles every month, I switch bottles every 6 weeks, throwing away about 1/3 of the bottle).

After you return from your trip you could try to either give Vetsulin another 25 day try, or give Novolin-N a try No real harm if you will be testing and not panic over a potentially different shaped curve.

Just my thoughts.

Craig

[Ann Renee L.]

Re: Vetsulin vs. Human Insulin

Yes,my dog started on Vetsulin and ended up on Novolin N.
I could not get numbers down. Vetsulin has their own internal med vets
you can call for free guidance that are very good. They are very helpful and knowledgeable.
The Vetsulin vet that was helping me, suggested switching insulin since it had
been months of high numbers. My dog also had hind leg issues on Vetsulin.
I waited too long (over 7 months) before I switched to Novolin N.My old vet used only Vetsulin and I did not know much about diabetes back then. Thus my dog went blind from not doing something sooner. My dog has better numbers on Novolin N .
My suggestion is to call Vetsulin free vet help, for advice in getting glucose regulated.
Check for hidden bladder infection. If numbers do not get better soon, switch, do not wait as long as I did.
My best to you. Hang in there, you may just need to adjust the dose,then you are good to go.