What type of insulin is best

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Stressedcatmom

Stressedcatmom

Member Since 2017
Hi guys,

My cat Yoshi was just diagnosed yesterday and I'm overwhelmed. Everything I'm reading looks like it's in another language. I have to talk to the vet further, but she told me there were two kinds of insulin. One that I can get from Walgreens (for people), and one that I would get from the vet. Any suggestions?
 
Each cat is different. Many fine that the human, long-lasting Lantus or Levemir insulins work best.
A good insulin is the pet insulin called ProZinc.
There is also the petn insulin Vetsulin (Caninsulin in other than USA). This insulin was developed for dogs and usually only lasts 8-10 hours in cats.

There is also the human N (sometimes called NPH) insulin insulin that aklso lasty only 8-10 hours. The advantage is that it is the least expensive if purchased from Walmart.

Lantus and Levemir are the most expensive but can be ordered from Canada at a reasonable price
 
Thank you for your response! By long lasting human insulin, how long does it last? It would be ideal to not have to give it every 12 hours, but I don't think there is anything out there that lasts longer?
 
Hi Stressedcatmom,
We'll help you translate what you are reading :). I'm just a little into my third month but there is not necessarily a "best" insulin, otherwise we would all be using the same one.

This is a section of an article on the forum:

Insulin recommendations in newly-diagnosed diabetic cats. Diabetic cats are notoriously unpredictable in their response to exogenous insulin. There is no single type of insulin which is routinely effective in maintaining control of glycemia, even with twice a day administration. The initial insulin of choice ultimately is based on personal preferences and experiences. Commonly used insulin preparations for the long-term management of diabetic cats include NPH, lente, PZI, and insulin glargine. All have potential problems in diabetic cats.

Main Article: https://www.felinediabetes.com/insulin_selection_Nelson.htm
 
Unfortunately, there is no insulin that should be administered less often than every 12 hours in cats. They have a fast metabolism, so even the longer-lasting human insulins can't cover a full 24 hour period (or even close).

Lantus, Levemir, and Prozinc are probably the best options for cats. Some people have had success with the shorter-acting insulins such as Vetsulin and NPH, but many find it is more difficult to get a cat regulated on those insulins, so if you have a choice I'd recommend going with the others. If you are in the US (especially), they can be expensive, but we can help with money-saving tips on some of them if you have a prescription from your vet.
 
The best type of insulin is the one that works for your cat. Unfortunately there's no way to determine that easily.
 
Thank you. I went with Prozinc 2 units. He is going in to get his sugar read in a couple weeks. Seems to be helping.

Nan & Amber said:
Unfortunately, there is no insulin that should be administered less often than every 12 hours in cats. They have a fast metabolism, so even the longer-lasting human insulins can't cover a full 24 hour period (or even close).

Lantus, Levemir, and Prozinc are probably the best options for cats. Some people have had success with the shorter-acting insulins such as Vetsulin and NPH, but many find it is more difficult to get a cat regulated on those insulins, so if you have a choice I'd recommend going with the others. If you are in the US (especially), they can be expensive, but we can help with money-saving tips on some of them if you have a prescription from your vet.
Click to expand...
 
Thank you. New to this and had absolutely no idea.

Yong said:
Hi Stressedcatmom,
We'll help you translate what you are reading :). I'm just a little into my third month but there is not necessarily a "best" insulin, otherwise we would all be using the same one.

This is a section of an article on the forum:

Insulin recommendations in newly-diagnosed diabetic cats. Diabetic cats are notoriously unpredictable in their response to exogenous insulin. There is no single type of insulin which is routinely effective in maintaining control of glycemia, even with twice a day administration. The initial insulin of choice ultimately is based on personal preferences and experiences. Commonly used insulin preparations for the long-term management of diabetic cats include NPH, lente, PZI, and insulin glargine. All have potential problems in diabetic cats.

Main Article: https://www.felinediabetes.com/insulin_selection_Nelson.htm
Click to expand...
 
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