Always read the label to determine whether Caninsulin® is suitable for the animal.
Administration information is useful to share with clients and hospital staff to ensure the proper amount of insulin is given.
In dogs, the labeled starting Caninsulin® dose is 0.5 IU insulin/kg of body weight. This dose should be given once daily concurrently with or right after a meal.
Veterinarians should reevaluate canine patients at appropriate intervals and adjust the dose based on clinical signs, urinalysis results, and glucose curve values until adequate glycemic control has been attained.
Hypoglycemia is a major concern. To help avoid overdosing, particularly during initial stabilization:
• If the animal is overweight, their ideal weight should be used to calculate their insulin dose. If the animal is underweight, their actual weight should be used to calculate their insulin dose.
• The calculated dose of insulin should be rounded down to the nearest whole unit.
The goals of managing canine diabetes mellitus include:
- Controlling the clinical signs of hyperglycemia such as polyuria and polydipsia.
- Avoiding hypoglycemia.
- Obtaining blood glucose curve values in the desired range*:
- Dogs: 5.6-13.9 mmol/L (100-250 mg/dL) over the course of the day, with a nadir between 5.6-8.3 mmol/L (100-150 mg/dL).
*In the US clinical study, glycemic control was considered adequate if an acceptable blood glucose curve was achieved (ie, reduction in hyperglycemia and a nadir of 3.3‑8.9 mmol/L (60‑160 mg/dL), however, the Technical Services department believes that a nadir below 5.6 mmol/L (100 mg/dL) in dogs may warrant a decrease in the dose. Further adjustments in dosage may be necessary with changes in the dog’s diet, body weight, medications, or if the dog develops concurrent infection, inflammation, or other medical disorder.
• If the initial insulin duration of activity proves to be inadequate, begin twice-daily therapy.
• If twice-daily treatment is initiated, each of the 2 doses should be 25% less than the once-daily dose of Caninsulin® required to attain an acceptable nadir.
• Obtaining blood glucose curve values in the desired range*:
– For example, a 20-kg dog receiving 10 IU of Caninsulin® once daily would be transitioned to 7 IU of Caninsulin® administered twice daily. See product label for more information.
Use these step-by-step instructions to teach your clients how to administer Caninsulin® (porcine insulin zinc suspension) to their dog from the comfort of home.
Doses of insulin are measured in units: 40 IU/mL insulin contains 40 International Units (IU) per milliliter (mL) (1 mL = 1 cc).
Use Caninsulin® with U-40 insulin syringes only to avoid dosing errors. Human insulin is formulated at a concentration of 100 IU/mL. Using a U-100 insulin syringe, would result in a dog receiving two and a half times less insulin than required, which could result in a recurrence of signs.
Clients may attempt to replenish their syringe inventories and/or insulin supply from their local human pharmacies. Most pharmacists are not aware of Caninsulin®, VetPen®, or the U-40 insulin syringes, nor do they stock these items. As this potential situation can result in dysregulation, it is strongly advised to educate clients to purchase both Caninsulin® and the U-40 insulin syringes from their veterinary clinic.
After washing your hands, take the Caninsulin® vial out of the refrigerator. Shake the vial until the insulin is uniformly milky, allowing any foam to disperse.
1 – Carefully remove the cap from the needle and insert the needle into the vial.
2 – Turn the vial upside down, making sure the tip of the needle remains in the vial.
3 – Withdraw the correct dose into the U-40 insulin syringe.
4 – Before removing the needle from the vial, check the syringe for any air bubbles.
5 – If bubbles are present, hold the syringe up and tap its side until the bubbles float to the top. Push them out with the plunger and withdraw the correct dose.
6 – Remove the needle from the vial.
1 – Insulin should be injected under the skin, in the area located 2 to 5 cm on either side of the spine, and between the back of the shoulder blade and the middle of the lumbar region. The injection site should vary with each dose.
2 – Gently insert needle in center of folded skin.
3 – Push plunger until all of the insulin is given.
4 – Pull needle out and dispose of syringe into appropriate sharps collector.
Pinch a fold of the dog’s skin.
Insulin should be injected under the skin, in the area located 2 to 5 cm on either side of the spine, and between the back of the shoulder blade and the middle of the lumbar region.
Press plunger as far as it will go, pull needle out, and dispose of syringe appropriately. YOU DID IT!
• Injection site can depend upon what is best for the client and their dog.
• Alternate injection site between left and right side for comfort and best results. Repeat injections at the same site can lead to ineffective treatment.
• Instructing clients to record the location of administration can help assure site rotation.
• If only a partial dose is given, do not attempt to re-dose. Wait and give the dog their usual dose at the next injection time.
• Do not rub the injection site after administration.
• To avoid dosing errors, VetPen® must be used with 40 IU/mL, 2.7 mL Caninsulin® cartridges.
• VetPen® is available in 2 sizes: 8 IU VetPen® with dosing increments of 0.5 IU and 16 IU VetPen® with dosing increments of 1 IU. Caninsulin® (porcine insulin zinc suspension) (2.7 mL) cartridges are available in boxes of 10. The 8 IU VetPen®will administer a maximum dose of 8 IU per injection and the 16 IU VetPen® will administer a maximum dose of 16 IU per injection.
• Advise pet owners not to reuse VetPen® needles. After a single use, needles should be disposed of in approved sharps or biohazard containers.
- Doses of insulin are measured in units: 40 IU/mL insulin contains 40 International Units (IU) per milliliter (mL) (1 mL = 1 cc).
- VetPen® is available in two sizes: 8 IU and 16 IU.
- Use these step-by-step instructions to teach your clients how to administer Caninsulin® to their dog from the comfort of home.
1 – Wash your hands.
2 – Remove cap and unscrew body from cartridge holder.
3 – Ensure that the dosage arrow is at zero by pressing the trigger. Then make sure that the piston is fully retracted into the body of the VetPen®. If it is not, retract it by turning the body of the VetPen® clockwise.
4 – Mix the insulin in the cartridge until it appears uniformly milky then insert the cartridge into the VetPen®.
5 – Screw cartridge holder and body together gently but firmly.
6 – Take a new VetPen® needle, remove the protective film, and screw the needle onto the cartridge holder.
7 – Remove outer protective needle cap.
8 – Replace the pen cap then turn the VetPen® up and down at least 10 times, until the insulin in the cartridge appears uniformly milky.
It is important to remove the air from the cartridge before use to avoid injection of air and ensure proper dosing.
1 – Dial one unit on the dose selector and remove the needle cap and the inner protective needle sheath.
2 – Hold the pen with the needle pointing up and tap the pen gently with your fingers to push any air bubbles to the top.
3 – Push down the release button and hold until the arrow on the body returns to the starting line on the dose selector.
4 – Repeat steps 1-3 until a strong, steady stream or jet of insulin appears at the needle tip. Expect to expel at least 8 units of air.
5 – Check that the cartridge is free of air bubbles by viewing the cartridge through the VetPen® window and inverting or tilting the pen.
6 – Add the number of units prescribed on the dose selector.
7 – The VetPen® is now ready for use.
1 – Insulin should be injected under the skin, in the area located 2 to 5 cm on either side of the spine, and between the back of the shoulder blade and the middle of the lumbar region. The injection site should vary with each dose.
2 – Remove needle cover and protective cap. Pinch the skin and insert the needle completely into the fold, then push the release button toward the pen needle and hold it in place until the start line on the dose selector returns to the arrow on the pen body. Take care to not impede the motion of the dose selector.
3 – After the dose selector has returned to the start line, wait a minimum of 5 seconds before withdrawing the needle from the skin.
4 – If insulin leaks out of the pen after injection, check the cartridge for small air bubbles using the VetPen® window. Do not attempt to re-dose.
Insulin should be injected under the skin, in the area located 2 to 5 cm on either side of the spine, and between the back of the shoulder blade and the middle of the lumbar region.
Remove needle cover and protective cap. Pinch the skin and insert the needle completely into the fold, then push the release button toward the pen needle and hold it in place until the start line on the dose selector returns to the arrow on the pen body. Take care to not impede the motion of the dose selector.
After the dose selector has returned to the start line, wait a minimum of 5 seconds before withdrawing the needle from the skin.
• If only a partial dose is given, do not attempt to re-dose. Wait and give the dog their usual dose at the next injection time.
• If you select a dose that is too high, we recommend that the incorrect dose be completely discarded in a safe place and the desired dose readjusted.
Because dogs are more than just pets – they’re family
We help veterinary professionals and pet owners give back to the animals that bring them joy and companionship.
CANINSULIN® and VETPEN® are registered trademarks of Intervet International B.V. Used under license.