Protamine zinc insulin can have a prolonged duration of action in dogs and may be tried on once-daily dosing schedule to minimize the chances of clinically significant hypoglycemia and/or the Somogyi phenomenon. 14 This insulin is used in both cats and dogs, although it is less commonly used in dogs. 14 The results suggested that ProZinc should be administered twice daily in most diabetic cats to maintain control of glycemia. In field studies in cats, mean time of the BG nadir was between 5 and 7 hr and the duration of action was 8–24 hr, which was deemed an appropriate duration of action by the FDA. PZI (U-40 human recombinant protamine zinc insulin ProZinc, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health) is considered by clinicians as a long-acting insulin, and is FDA approved for use in cats and dogs.4 In dogs, a flat blood glucose curve (BGC) may be seen, so glargine can be referred to as a peakless insulin in that species. Glargine is sometimes described as a “peakless” insulin, although peakless does not mean an absence of a nadir in cats but rather refers to glucose utilization rates. This results in rapid onset and long duration of action. Glargine is soluble at a pH of 4.0, the pH at which it is supplied and stored, but in the neutral pH of the body’s blood or subcutaneous tissues it forms microprecipitates, facilitating slow absorption after injection. It is a human analog insulin with modifications that provide variable solubility at different pHs. Several studies have demonstrated that glargine is effective for controlling blood sugar levels in diabetic cats and achieving high remission rates. Glargine (U-100 human recombinant Lantus, Sanofi) is a longer-acting insulin commonly used by the Task Force in cats because it has an adequate duration of action in most diabetic cats.It has a close to 12 hr duration of action in most dogs and is useful for minimizing postprandial hyperglycemia.

It is FDA approved for use in dogs and cats.

Lente (U-40 porcine insulin zinc suspension Vetsulin, Merck Animal Health) is an intermediate-acting insulin commonly used by the Task Force in dogs.Abbreviations: BG, blood glucose NPH, Neutral Protamine Hagedorn PZI, protamine zinc insulin U, units.Īdditional Information on Available Insulin Products:

Insulin onsets peaks and durations