Managing Diabetic Dogs
Insulin therapy for the treatment of canine diabetes
Exogenous insulin is used to replace the inadequate or absent supply of insulin in diabetics.
Types of insulin
Insulin preparations can be divided into three categories:
- Long-acting insulins
- Ultralente insulins - 100% crystalline insulin
- PZI insulins - contain protamine and zinc
- Intermediate-acting insulins
- Lente insulins - mixtures of 30% amorphous (semilente) and 70% crystalline (ultralente) insulin in an aqueous suspension.
- NPH insulins - contain protamine
- Rapid-acting insulins
- soluble insulin and semilente insulin
- intravenous administration possible
Due to differences in metabolism, the duration of activity of any particular insulin will vary from animal to animal.