Pet Diabetes continues to plaque our dogs and cats. In addition, the Vetsulin controversy continues on a daily basis with frustrated pet diabetes owners searching for answers and safe solutions to replace the tainted Vetsulin. Unfortunately, despite the fact that hundreds of dogs and cats have already suffered from a variety of health issues as a result of being given the tainted insulin, the FDA has recently re-approved Vetsulin on what is being referred to as a “Critical Need Program” which in this veterinarians opinion is questionable at best.
Consequences diabetic pets have experienced as a result of being given the tainted Vetsulin range from blindness and kidney failure to liver dysfunction and for many pets, death. Diabetic pet owners interested in joining the $29 Million Dollar Vetsulin Class Action Law Suit can call 1- 419-255-5990 for more information. Here is a Brief Timeline Focusing on Diabetes and Insulin.
According to this veterinarian’s knowledge, experience and research on this issue, diabetic dogs and cats as well as humans have been successfully treated with Insulin since 1921. In July of 2005, manufacturer Eli Lilly announced it had discontinued production of four (4) insulin products citing a” drop in sales and usage by human diabetics.” This included Humulin and NPH insulin. Despite the fact that the FDA had approved these diabetic insulin medications for humans only, “veterinarians“ had been prescribing Humulin L and Iletin II for their diabetic patients for decades.”
In January of 2005, six (6) months before Eli Lilly stopped manufacturing Humulin and NPH, Vetsulin was announced as the “first and only insulin to be FDA approved for dog diabetes treatment”. As a result, many veterinarians switched their diabetic pets from Humulin and NPH insulin over to Vetsulin. Vetsulin was labeled as PZI or Porcine (pig based) Zinc Insulin.
On November 3rd, 2009 the FDA announced an Alert for “PZI Insulin or Vetsulin.” On November 20, 2009, 17 days after the Vetsulin (PZI Insulin) Alert was issued, the FDA announced approval of the First Ever “Human Recombinant PZI Insulin” for Veterinary use. It is called PZI Insulin. The PZI is now said to stand for Protamine Zinc Insulin or PROZINC Insulin.
The manufacturer, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica reports this PZI Insulin to be the “first and only insulin to be FDA approved for cat diabetes treatment.” The cost of PZI-Vetsulin was on average $30-$38 dollars a bottle.
Note: Wal-Mart’s generic version, of Humulin N costs $20.00 a bottle and in this authors experience works like a charm!
The cost of the newly approved PZI-PROZINC Insulin is priced at $100-$120 dollars a bottle. The FDA’s new Critical-Need Program allowing veterinarians to prescribe Vetsulin reads as follows: Vetsulin should not be used in dogs known to be allergic to pork or pork products, and is contraindicated during periods of low blood sugar or hypoglycemia. Pets with signs of ketoacidosis, lack of appetite, lack of energy, or vomiting should be stabilized with short-acting insulin and appropriate supportive therapy until their condition is stabilized. As with all insulin products, careful patient monitoring for low blood sugar or hypoglycemia and high blood sugar or hyperglycemia are essential for adequate blood sugar control and management of related problems. Over dosage in pet diabetics can result in life threatening low blood sugar levels which can lead to death.
“The supply of Vetsulin is only to be used for a critical-need dog or cat that, in the medical judgment of the diabetic pet’s veterinarian, cannot be effectively managed on another insulin product,” FDA reports. As a result, FDA is recommending veterinarians with qualified pet diabetic patients contact Intervet/Schering Plough’s Technical Services Department at (800) 224-5318. Veterinarians will be required to provide the medical rationale about why the patient cannot be effectively controlled using another insulin product.
“Intervet continues to work with FDA to address concerns associated with the manufacture of Vetsulin,” the agency adds. “Because Vetsulin may have varying amounts of crystalline zinc insulin in the formulation, it could cause a delay in insulin action and an overall longer duration of insulin activity,” FDA says. Insulin products that do not remain within specification throughout the entire shelf life could potentially result in unpredictable fluctuations in the glucose levels of diabetic patients.
Use of the Vetsulin product under the new Critical-Need Program will require close monitoring of the pet diabetic patient, is the final statement issued by FDA.
Dr. Carol, thanks for such an informative website. My Dog Zeke is 13 1/2 and I have been managing him with the diastix and had never thought of cutting them lengthwise so I’ll have to try that.
Dr. Carol,
Thanks for all the posts you have on here. They really have opened my eyes to a phenomenon that I have seen as a human Pharmacist for years. That being, the manipulation by drug companies without regard to patient safety/cost.
Now I know first-hand with my 11 year old Miniature Schnauzer and his onset of diabetes. Not long after multiple urination accidents and excessive drinking did I suspect that he had diabetes. We took him into a friend Vet and his blood sugar was in excess of 500 all day long. He started him on Vetsulin back in May 2010 and within 3 months he is now completely blind.
As a Pharmacist, I recognized that the DNA sequence of the insulin molecule of pigs is different from dogs and cats and as far as that goes, humans. Also, I realize that the DNA sequence of human insulin(Novolin, Humulin) is different from dogs and cats as well.
Long story short, insulin structure is like a lock and a key with the insulin molecule being the key and the cell membranes receptor sites being the lock that the key fits into. If the “key grooves” don’t fit just right, it may not work as well as what that species is designed for. This is why DNA-recombinant technology was devised back in the 70’s and 80’s to reduce/eliminate side effects humans were having to using pig and cow derived insulins.
Anyway, having realized that Vetsulin had been recalled, we switched him over to Novolin NPH insulin and after about a week of adjusting, he seems to be maintaining his weight now, not drinking and urinating as much.
But, to my shock, I did not realize how many dogs had gone blind after using Vetsulin. Now, my “Max” has to depend on us to take him to urinate as we cannot let him loose in our back yard since we have a swimming pool and he has fallen in once already.
I will continue to use the Novolin NPH from Wal-Mart and stay far away from Vetsulin on possibly my other Schnauzer that is now showing signs of diabetes as well.
Thanks again for shedding the light on this practice that I have seen for years in the drug industry.
David Watson R.Ph.
when and at what point the insurance company is working for THEMSELVES, they have the upper hand on you. I say this from experience of seeing and witnessing how and what they have done for years that I have been in the business.
Hi Agustin
It seems that corporate greed speaks for itself with respect to Pet Diabetes and the tainted Vetsulin issues.
Although there is a $29 Million Dollar Vetsulin Class Action Law Suit that is ongoing,
whether or not any diabetic pet owners are actually reimbursed for their losses remains unknown.
A very sad issue that in my opinion is inexcusable.
Dr Carol
i am sorry to report that humulin nph insulin is not working like a charm for my chihuahua. i am very upset that i cannot make the choice to give my dog the vetsulin that she has been on for 4.5 yrs. i started the nph 25 days ago, and have had to keep increasing dosage weekly. she was taking 7 u of vetsulin 2 xs daily. now am up to 10 u 2xs daily of nph and bg levels were 347 at mid day today. vetsulin was not a bad product, and some dogs lives are depending on it. i only hope my vet can get me in the critical program before its too late.
Dear Robin
I would be glad to discuss your diabetic dog’s insulin problem and help you.
Please be sure you are using U100 needles with your U100 NPH Insulin.
Feel free to call our office toll free at 1-866-372-2765.
Dr Carol Osborne, DVM
dear dr carol, just an update on my chihuahua. she is back on vetsulin and doing great. bg was 153,this morning 30 min before her insulin shot and feeding. her actions speak volumes. shes back to her old self. i guess what i am saying is some things dont work for all dogs, you just have to know your pet and do what you think is best. after all your the one who lives with them. i wish every pet owner of a diabetic dog or cat good luck!!!! thanks!!!and God Blesss
Hi Dr. Carol,
What became of the Vetsulin issue? Is Vetsulin now OK to use?
its back on the market but buyer BEWARE!!