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One selection filters the source overview, clinical facts, reports and dose calculator. Literature references are not species-filtered.
Choose one species for its overview and dose calculator, or all species to browse the full evidence.
Source overview
Recorded excerpts for one species. Each dose remains a separate source entry; no regimen is selected.
Choose one species to view its source overview. All-species evidence remains available below.
View full clinical evidence and sources ↓Clinical evidence
Pending clinical review (PROPOSED)Rule-based (RULE_BASED)— applies to the facts and dose entries in this species selection; individual source records retain their own status.
Indications2
Diabetes mellitus (uncomplicated and DKA), adjunct for severe hyperkalemia
DogCatOn-label (ON_LABEL)2 source records · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 646–650; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 397–400 — Indications table · Not applicable · On-label (ON_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Diabetes mellitus (uncomplicated and DKA), adjunct for severe hyperkalemia — Authorized (Vetsulin — dog/cat; ProZinc — cat)
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 646–650; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 397–400 — Indications table · Not applicable · On-label (ON_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Diabetes mellitus (uncomplicated and DKA), adjunct for severe hyperkalemia — Authorized (Vetsulin — dog/cat; ProZinc — cat)
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 646–650; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 397–400 — Indications table · Not applicable · On-label (ON_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Dose regimens5
This calculator performs arithmetic only on the sourced dosing field shown for each result — it does not verify the field's accuracy, does not select which field to use for a patient, and does not replace a veterinarian's order. Not for clinical use. Confirm every result against the primary source before dispensing.
Choose one species above to view its dose calculator.
Adverse effects206
Hypoglycemia — Primary risk of any insulin therapy
DogCatNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)2 source records · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 646–650; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 397–400 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 646–650; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 397–400 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Insulin-induced hyperglycemia ("Somogyi effect") — Possible with overdosing
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 646–650; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 397–400 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Insulin resistance/antibody formation — Higher with beef/pork sources (~45% dogs) vs. human recombinant (~5%)
DogNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 646–650; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 397–400 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Injection site stinging (glargine specifically, low pH ~4) — Mild
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 646–650; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 397–400 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Lipodystrophy — With repeated same-site injection
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 646–650; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 397–400 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
These are counts of spontaneously reported events, not proven adverse effects, causal relationships, or incidence rates.
Bars compare report counts within each species; they do not show incidence.
More reportsFewer reportsDog
- INEFFECTIVE, GLYCEMIC CONTROL2,298 reports
- Hypoglycaemia1,157 reports
- Lack of efficacy - NOS1,153 reports
- INEFFECTIVE, LOSS OF EFFECT759 reports
- Hyperglycaemia686 reports
- Vomiting632 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in 'Neurological')526 reports
- Polydipsia505 reports
- Polyuria471 reports
- Death by euthanasia402 reports
- Diarrhoea320 reports
- Anorexia312 reports
Cat
- INEFFECTIVE, GLYCEMIC CONTROL1,249 reports
- Hypoglycaemia752 reports
- Lack of efficacy - NOS601 reports
- Hyperglycaemia343 reports
- Vomiting327 reports
- Death by euthanasia320 reports
- INEFFECTIVE, LOSS OF EFFECT303 reports
- Anorexia236 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in 'Neurological')198 reports
- Weight loss190 reports
- Diarrhoea187 reports
- Polydipsia160 reports
Monitoring1
Blood glucose curves, fructosamine (<350 µmol/L excellent/remission; ≤450 good; 450–500 moderate; >500 poor), clinical signs (PU/PD, appetite, weight)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 646–650; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 397–400 — Monitoring Parameters · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Contraindications1
Active hypoglycemia
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 646–650; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 397–400 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Precautions5
Never use without ability to monitor blood glucose; do not mix insulin types/brands in the same syringe; do not confuse U-40 vs. U-100 syringes with corresponding product concentration
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 646–650; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 397–400 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Never abbreviate "Units" as "U" on any written instruction — well-documented source of 10x dosing errors.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 646–650; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 397–400 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Glargine currently has the strongest evidence for diabetic remission in cats — often preferred first-line for feline diabetes alongside dietary changes (low-carb, high-protein).
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 646–650; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 397–400 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Dog vs. cat insulin choice differs substantially — NPH/Lente works reasonably in dogs but has too short a duration to be reliable in most cats; PZI, glargine, or detemir are generally preferred for cats.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 646–650; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 397–400 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Confirm syringe type (U-40 vs. U-100) matches the product concentration every time — a leading source of dangerous dosing errors when owners switch products.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 646–650; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 397–400 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Interactions4
Glucocorticoids — Antagonize insulin action — major cause of poor control
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 646–650; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 397–400 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Beta-blockers — Can mask hypoglycemia signs, variable glycemic effects
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 646–650; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 397–400 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
ACE inhibitors, aspirin, MAOIs, alcohol — May potentiate hypoglycemic effect
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 646–650; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 397–400 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Thiazides, corticosteroids, thyroid hormone — May decrease hypoglycemic effect (↑ insulin requirement)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 646–650; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 397–400 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pharmacokinetics6
Onset/Peak/Duration — Regular — Onset 10–30min SC; peak 1–5h; duration 4–10h
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 646–650; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 397–400 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Onset/Peak/Duration — NPH — Onset 0.5–2h; peak 2–10h (dog)/2–8h (cat); duration 6–18h (dog)/4–12h (cat)
CatNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 646–650; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 397–400 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Onset/Peak/Duration — PZI — Peak 4–8h; duration 6–28h (dog)/6–24h (cat)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 646–650; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 397–400 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Onset/Peak/Duration — Glargine — No pronounced peak (microprecipitate depot); duration ~24h in humans, shorter/variable in cats (~11–24h)
CatNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 646–650; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 397–400 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Onset/Peak/Duration — Detemir — Onset ~2h; peak ~7h; duration ~13–14h (cat)
DogNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 646–650; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 397–400 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pregnancy / lactation considerations1
Human FDA categories: B (regular, NPH, lispro); C (glargine, detemir). Compatible with nursing.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 646–650; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 397–400 — Pregnancy & Lactation · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Literature references17
References are linked to this drug. Species applicability is not recorded here, so the species filter does not narrow this list. Imported dates do not retain their original precision; confirm dates in the original citation.
- Gut microbiome-metabolome interactions during varied low-carbohydrate food consumption.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Unveiling the role of age in MASLD development and biological process activation: Implications for translational research.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Ameliorative effect of curcumin and/or cerium oxide nanoparticles on diabetes of rats: biochemical, molecular, and pathological insights.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Pancreatic nerves across species: Anatomical and functional disparities and their metabolic ramifications.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- High-sucrose diet induces MMP-9 activation and collagen deposition via oxidative stress in Swiss mice liver.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
Sources: PubMed, National Library of Medicine; openFDA, U.S. Food and Drug Administration; Plumb DC. Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook. 7th ed. PharmaVet Inc; 2011.
Owner information handout
Plain-language medication information to review with the owner. Open the handout to print it or download a PDF.