Switching diabetic cat from caninsulin to human insulin

Re: Switching diabetic cat from caninsulin to human insulin

crazedndazed — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 11:38:28 GMT

Thanks everyone. I have referred her back to her own vet with some of your thoughts on the subject.

Re: Switching diabetic cat from caninsulin to human insulin

Martin Atkinson — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 19:20:48 GMT

+1 for Glargine, I already use it on some of my diabetic cats which don't stabilise well on Caninsulin.

Re: Switching diabetic cat from caninsulin to human insulin

Kate Richardson — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 13:38:17 GMT

I would suggest she speaks to her vet again as well. Ultimately the cat is no longer under your care and whilst the owner obviously trusts your judgement, she needs to now build up a relationship with a new vet. If her new vet is not comfortable with managing a diabetic cat, then she should find a practice that is more experienced- her current vet may know of someone or FAB or ISFM may be a good point of contact to help locate a feline friendly vet? They are usually very helpful at FAB and have lots of contacts within Europe. You don't want to end up in a situation where you are managing the cat from a distance- could be a nightmare!

Human insulins would obviously be better than no insulin, but I would suggest Glargine (Lantus) would be a better alternative if they really cannot source caninsulin (which seems unlikely)

If you want I can post on the ISFM forum and see if any Spanish vets reply? Probably need a rough idea of location. Please message me with the info if you would like to.

Re: Switching diabetic cat from caninsulin to human insulin

Andrew Kent — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 12:47:14 GMT

But in answer to your question both of the insulins they have been offered are biphasic insulins which haven't really been explored in cats. They are designed in people to give the short acting benefit of a neutral insulin at mealtimes combined with their long acting but this isn't really how we approach things in cats and probably the slow absorption of food in cats wouldn't combine well with this type of insulin regime.

if they have to use human insulins then I am sure there must be either lente, PZI or glargine preparations available in Spain. Maybe they should speak to another Vet over there?

Re: Switching diabetic cat from caninsulin to human insulin

Andrew Kent — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 12:41:40 GMT

I was under the impression that caninsulin was available through the whole of Europe so maybe they should check again - MSD animal health Spain certainly have a caninsulin website which suggests it probably is!

see www.caninsulin.es