What makes VetPen unique?

While insulin pens have commonly been used in the management of human diabetes for some time, VetPen is the only device designed exclusively for use in cats and dogs.

Using the same technology found in human insulin pens, VetPen:

• Provides a convenient and easy-to-use solution for the injection of insulin in dogs and cats
• Delivers an accurate dose consistently over time, with less chance of error compared to the traditional needle and syringe method¹
• Provides a better fit to pet owners’ lifestyles—takes fewer steps to prepare doses once primed (air removed from the cartridge) and can be used anywhere

Is VetPen difficult to use? 

VetPen is ergonomically designed for easy handling and dosing. Additional adaptors are provided to further assist pet owners with visual or manual dexterity issues.

In a study, close to 97% of pet owners reported that VetPen was easy to use overall². And more than 97% reported being able to learn how to use VetPen².

Is VetPen more accurate than using an insulin syringe?

Yes – in a laboratory study, VetPen was shown to be consistently more accurate than syringes for low doses. Even when drawn up by trained lab technicians, study results showed that U-40 syringes delivered at least 20%-25% more insulin than needed for a 1-unit dose¹. Unlike syringes, VetPen provides a precise and accurate dose every time, without relying on the user to draw up an accurate dose.

Can VetPen be used with different insulins?

No – VetPen must be used with specially-designed 3 ml cartridges containing 2.7 ml of 40 IU/ml Caninsulin. To avoid damaging the VetPen and dosing errors, cartridges containing other insulin should not be used with VetPen.

How does selecting a dose with VetPen differ from drawing up a dose with a syringe?

While the overall injection process is similar, VetPen allows clients to select doses more accurately³. With just the turn of a dial, owners can select the correct dose of insulin, then simply push the release button allowing the VetPen’s internal mechanism to deliver the precise dose each time.

How do owners know when the injection is complete?

To make sure the pet’s dose is injected precisely and accurately, owners need to hold down the release button until the arrow (▶) points to the start line (—) on the dose selector. Then, after waiting for at least 5 seconds, they can remove the needle from the skin. This allows for VetPen’s internal mechanism to optimally deliver the selected dose.

What should the insulin cartridge look like after mixing and priming?

Each cartridge contains 2 glass beads to help with the mixing of Caninsulin before use. The cartridge should be thoroughly shaken before inserting it into the VetPen. After shaking, the insulin should appear uniformly milky. The cartridge should not be used if clumps persist after shaking thoroughly. Owners must not mistake the glass mixing beads for air bubbles, which should be removed during priming.

What type of needle is used with VetPen?

VetPen is designed to work optimally with 29 gauge/ 12 mm needles, which are small, thin, triple-sharpened and specially lubricated. This equates to a lower penetration force compared to a traditional needle which should reduce discomfort for the pet. These are the only needles that should be used with VetPen.

Can VetPen needles be reused?

No – as with all sterile needles, they are designed for single use only. A new needle should be used for each injection. Immediately after use, the needle should be removed with the needle remover and safely disposed of.

Can I buy spare parts for my VetPen?

No, parts are not available as taking the VetPen apart may compromise accuracy and functionality.

Does VetPen need to be kept refrigerated when it contains an insulin cartridge?

Before use, Caninsulin cartridges should be stored upright and refrigerated between +2 and +8 °C. But once a cartridge has been installed into the VetPen, the VetPen with the cartridge installed, can be stored at room temperature (up to 25°C) for up to 42 days. Caninsulin cartridges should always be protected from light and should not be frozen.

Important note: This revised storage advice relates only to the UK silver-cap cartridges used for Caninsulin containing the preservative metacresol.

How to take care of VetPen.

To clean VetPen, simply wipe with a damp cloth. Do not immerse it in water.

If an owner dials up too much insulin, could they just unscrew the body of the VetPen and press the release button to set it back to zero?

This is not recommended as the drawn up dose will be under pressure by the plunger and release of the body of the VetPen may lead to a partial dose being expelled as the body and cartridge holder are separated under force, potentially causing damage to the mechanism, or injury to the user.

Do I need to prime the Caninsulin VetPen with each use?

No, once a cartridge is primed upon initial insertion, the process is complete - however the cartridge should be checked for air bubbles at each use.

Diabetes and its management in dogs and cats

Please click on the links below for full details of diabetes in dogs and cats.

A VetPen instruction video is available to watch here, which may help owners to solve any issues they may be experiencing.

Whenever experiencing any issues using VetPen, the first step should always be to confirm that air was properly removed from the cartridge through priming. 

Air bubbles in the cartridge can create multiple issues that result in the pet receiving too much or too little insulin.

What if insulin drips actively from the needle after injection?

This may be a sign that the needle has been removed before the injection was completed. If the VetPen needle is removed from the skin too early, the pet did not receive its full insulin dose.

To make sure the pet receives its full dose, press the release button down fully and hold it until the arrow (▶) points to the start line (—) on the dose selector. Then wait at least 5 seconds before removing the needle from the skin to allow VetPen to deliver the full dose.

What if the dose selector does not return to the start line after testing VetPen?

There are 4 likely causes for this:

1. If the release button is not fully pushed toward the needle, it sometimes prevents the dose from being released completely. Be sure to push the release button down fully during each injection so that the dose selector can rotate back to the start line. Then, wait at least 5 seconds before removing the needle.
2. You may be closing your hand too tightly around the dose selector, which can prevent it from fully rotating back to the start line. Avoid this by holding the VetPen like a pen so that the dose selector can rotate freely after the release button has been completely depressed.
3. The needle could be blocked. Replace the needle on VetPen with a new one. It is important to use a new needle for each injection for hygiene and safety reasons.
4. The cartridge may not have contained enough insulin for the full dose. If the cartridge is empty, replace it with a new one and complete the priming process. For additional information, see the next question.

What if there is not enough insulin in the cartridge to complete an injection?

If there is not enough insulin left in the cartridge to give the pet its full dose, owners are advised to replace the cartridge before injecting. If they suspect only a partial dose has been given, they should not attempt to re-dose, but rather wait and give the cat its usual dose at the next injection. The VetPen video provides more information for pet owners.

What if a dose too large for the pet is selected?

If too high a dose has been selected, it is very important not to try to turn the dose selector back to a lower dose. This can damage or break the VetPen. The dose selector is designed to move from low to high numbers but cannot be moved back from high to low numbers. If too high a dose has been selected, release the insulin through the needle into a tissue or swab by pressing the release button. Then select the correct dose.

What if no insulin drips actively or squirts from the needle after priming or preparing for use?

There are 2 likely causes for this:

1. The needle is blocked.

To fix, replace the needle on VetPen with a new one. Remember to use a new needle for each injection. The needle is designed for single use only.

2. The cartridge plunger is stuck. Follow these steps to fix this:

• Take off the needle with a needle remover and unscrew the cartridge holder.
• Slide the release button towards the internal plunger and hold it until the arrow points to the start line.
• Dial 2 units without screwing the device back together.
• Push and hold down the release button until the arrow points to the start line.
• Without rewinding the internal plunger, screw the cartridge holder and the VetPen body back together. This should release the cartridge plunger and expel some of the insulin.