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Features & Benefits
- Effectively controls blood glucose levels in dogs and cats 3,4
- Reduces the clinical signs of diabetes within a few days
- A preferred 1st choice insulin for dog 5,6,7,8
- Flexible dosing options
- 25 years of experience and trust in feline diabetes
- Minimises the risk of anti-insulin antibodies
Two administration options
Caninsulin
- U-40 insulin syringe for 2.5 ml and 10 ml vials
VetPen®
- Convenient pen design
- Uses 2.7 ml cartridges
Pharmacokinetics
As a lente insulin, Caninsulin is classified as an intermediate-acting insulin. It is an aqueous suspension of 40 IU/ml of highly purified porcine insulin, consisting of 35% amorphous and 65% crystalline zinc insulin1,2.
Unlike human insulin, porcine insulin has the same amino acid sequence as canine insulin, making it less likely for dogs to develop anti-insulin antibodies3.
In Dogs
Rapid and sustained effect2:
The amorphous fraction will reach its maximum effect approximately 4 hours following subcutaneous administration and its effects last for about 8 hours thereafter. The effect is maintained by the crystalline fraction, which has a slower onset of action and peak effects around 11 hours following injection. The duration of activity of Caninsulin generally ranges from 14-24 hours in dogs2.
Flexible dosing with once or twice daily dosing option
In Cats
The duration of activity varies between 8 and 12 hours1,4. The peak activity following subcutaneous administration of Caninsulin in felines occurs between 4 and 6 hours.
Efficacy & Safety
The first licensed insulin for the management of diabetes mellitus with 25 years of experience worldwide in cats and dogs, Caninsulin has established efficacy and safety profiles for both cats and dogs with diabetes.
Efficacy in Canines
A preferred first choice insulin for dogs5,6,7,8
A study has shown that Caninsulin effectively controls blood glucose levels and reduces clinical signs of diabetes within few days9:
- Treated dogs demonstrated significantly lower blood glucose levels following treatment with Caninsulin. Investigators reported adequate glycaemic control an average of 81% of the time during the study period.
- 94%, 96% and 83% of test dogs experienced a reduction in the clinical signs associated with hyperglycaemia - polyuria, polydipsia and ketonuria respectively.
Efficacy in Felines
25 years of experience and trust
In a study assessing Caninsulin in cats, all major indicators of diabetes and the clinical signs associated with hyperglycaemia were significantly reduced4
The average blood glucose nadir on days 7, 14, 30, 60 and 180 was reduced, compared to day 0 (pre-treatment initiation).
- 86% of cats experienced a resolution or improvement of polyuria and polydipsia
- Cats were initially started on 1 to 2 IU of Caninsulin per injection, twice daily, and then evaluated using blood glucose curves and the appearance of clinical signs to make the necessary adjustments. At the end of the study, the mean Caninsulin dose was 3.3 IU per injection BID with a maximum dose of 8 IU per injection twice daily
- All cases resolved with symptomatic treatment or dose adjustment, with 56% of the cats achieving remission
- The mean blood glucose nadir was around 8 mmol/l by day 60
- Fructosamine was significantly reduced on days 30, 60 and 180 compared to day 0
Storage & Handling
It is important to ensure all Caninsulin products are used properly and stored correctly1.
Caninsulin Storage
- Caninsulin should be protected from light and high temperatures.
- Keep unused Caninsulin cartridges/vials in the fridge stored at +2 to +8°C.¹
- Once opened, broached Caninsulin vials (and in-use cartridges inside VetPen) can be stored at up to 25°C.¹
- Do not freeze Caninsulin because this will denature it.
- Store insulin vials upright to avoid crystallisation around the stopper, but when VetPen is loaded it can be stored on its side.
Use Caninsulin contents within 42 days of first broaching the vial or cartridge.
Before Delivery
Caninsulin is a suspension, with active ingredients present in the precipitate and in the clear supernatant.
Before administering, all Caninsulin should be mixed until a homogeneous, uniformly milky suspension is obtained. Any foam formed during mixing should be allowed to disperse before the product is used.
Clumps or white particles can form in Caninsulin suspensions: do not use if visible clumps or white particles persist after mixing.
Sharps Disposal
Syringes and VetPen needles should be disposed immediately after the first use in a sharps/biohazard receptacle. Reuse of any syringe can cause bacterial infection, as well as silicone contamination from the syringe causing a white precipitate that can interfere with the biological activity of the Caninsulin.
Caninsulin dosing and administration
View complete instructions for preparation, delivery and disposal to ensure the proper dose of Caninsulin is given.
Caninsulin® 40 IU/ml Suspension for Injection contains porcine insulin.POM-V
Further information is available from the SPC, datasheet or package leaflet.
Advice should be sought from the medicine prescriber.
Prescription decisions are for the person issuing the prescription alone.
Use Medicines Responsibly.
MSD Animal Health UK Limited, Walton Manor, Walton, Milton Keynes, MK7 7AJ, UK
Registered in England & Wales no. 946942
References
- Caninsulin Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC)
- Graham P, Nash A, McKellar Q. J. Pharmacokinetics of a porcine insulin zinc suspension in diabetic dogs. J Small AnimPract. 1997;38:434-438.
- L.J. Davison, B. Walding, M.E. Herrtage and B. Catchpole. Anti-Insulin Antibodies in Diabetic Dogs Before and After Treatment with Different Insulin Preparations. J Vet Intern Med 2008;22:1317-1325
- Martin, G.J. & Rand, J.S. (2007). Control of diabetes mellitus in cats with porcine insulin zinc suspension. Veterinary Record; 161, pp 88-94.
- Thompson A, Lathan P & Fleeman L. Veterinary medicine: Research and Reports. 2015:6 129–142.
- Petersen M. https://animalendocrine.blogspot.com/2014/03/whats-best-insulin-for-treating-dogs.html
- Behrend E, Holford A, Lathan P et al. AAHA Diabetes Management Guidelines for Dogs and CatsJ Am AnimHosp Assoc. 2018; 54:1–21.
- Ackerman N, Benchekroun G, Bourne D et al. Diabetes mellitus: Guidance for managing diabetes in practice. Companion Animal. 2018;23:143-151
- Monroe W.E. et al. (2005). Efficacy and safety of a purified porcine insulin zinc suspension for managing diabetes mellitus in dogs. J Vet Intern Med.;19(5):675-682.
