Insulin, Important Hormone in Cat Diabetes
Insulin plays important role in cat diabetes. Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas, is responsible for regulating the flow of glucose from the bloodstream into the cells of the body. When insulin is deficient or ineffective, the cat's body starts breaking down fat and protein stores to use as alternative energy sources.
As the owner of a cat with diabetes, you will soon become used to the twice daily insulin shots. Although many are intimidated by giving their cat shots, most cats tolerate it fairly well and you can get tips and guidance from vets and other diabetic cat owners until it becomes second nature to you.
Your vet will start your cat on a low level dose of insulin, which you will give your cat twice daily via insulin shots. The most common type of insulin used for cats is PZI, which is derived from beef. This is a better choice than the human insulin which used to be given to cats.
Make sure that you are using the correct syringe for the insulin type you have. If you buy syringes at a pharmacy, take the insulin box with you so that the pharmacist can match the right syringe to your insulin.
Your cat should eat around the time of the insulin injection. Feed your cat around one hour before it is time for the cat's shot.
Commercial insulin also known as PZI (Protamine Zinc Insulin) is insulin combined with zinc and protamine (a protein extracted from salmon testes), which slow the release of the insulin into bodily tissue.
Historically, the insulin component of PZI, as well as all other insulin produced for human medical use, was derived from animals, either cows or pigs. Animal-derived insulin is a by-product of slaughtering food animals. The pancreas is ground and transformed into a crystalline powder, which is sold to insulin manufacturers. No animals from countries where BSE (mad-cow disease) exists may be used.
For a few cats, human insulin does not successfully replace the cat's own insulin, so for them, the source of the insulin is very important to regulation. Bovine (beef) insulin is most similar in molecular structure to feline insulin, and it is thought for this reason, to be most effective for these cats.
In addition, with 2 injections per day, the many cats who do respond to the human forms of insulin, experience better control, consistency and flatter curves with PZI. In some cases, PZI offers longer durations than human insulin (up to 24 hours) allowing one injection per day.
IDEXX Labs
North Carolina
800-374-8006
http://www.idexx.com/pzivet
IDEXX is now the only US pharmaceutical company manufacturing beef-pork PZI. Only vets may order. Your vet has the option to charge more than the recommended price, so you may wish to shop around. IDEXX insulin has a 3-year shelf life from date of manufacture. Certain additional procedures and fees may apply to shipments to countries other than the US.
1-800-PETMEDS
http://www.1800petmeds.com
Drs Foster and Smith
http://www.drsfostersmith.com
My Pet Prescriptions
http://mypetprescriptions.com
Allivet.com
http://allivet.com
BCP Veterinary Pharmacy
http://www.bcpvetpharm.com/
Veterinary Pharmacies of America
http://www.vetrxrx.com/
Summit Veterinary Pharmacy, Inc.
www.svprx.ca
Wellington Pharmacy
England (London)
Mr. Ivor Deitsch
Phone: 011-44-207-235-5621
Fax: 011-44-207-235-0158
wellington1@btconnect.com
CP Pharmaceuticals
England
cppharma.co.uk
As a result, the cat eats more yet loses weight. Additionally, the cat develops high levels of sugar in the bloodstream, which is eliminated in the urine. In turn, sugar in the urine leads to excessive urination and thirst. Cat owners often notice these four classical signs of diabetes mellitus: ravenous appetite, weight loss, increased urination, and increased water consumption.
Adequate control of most diabetic cats requires long-acting insulin injections to be given once or twice daily. Each cat responds differently to insulin, so the proper choice of insulin type, dose, and frequency of administration needs to be individually determined.
Your vet will likely perform a glucose curve to determine the best regimen for your diabetes cats. The cat will be hospitalized, given insulin, and then the blood glucose levels will be periodically tested throughout the day. Cats tend to be difficult to maintain on the same regimen for long periods of time, and increases or decreases may need to be made in insulin dosages.
Cat Diabetes : Beware of Hypoglycemia !
Too much insulin causes too much of the blood glucose to be used, and results in very low blood sugar. This condition is very dangerous in cat diabetes and can kill your cat in hours. It is important to read the hypoglycemia section before you begin your insulin regimen.As the owner of a cat with diabetes, you will soon become used to the twice daily insulin shots. Although many are intimidated by giving their cat shots, most cats tolerate it fairly well and you can get tips and guidance from vets and other diabetic cat owners until it becomes second nature to you.
Your vet will start your cat on a low level dose of insulin, which you will give your cat twice daily via insulin shots. The most common type of insulin used for cats is PZI, which is derived from beef. This is a better choice than the human insulin which used to be given to cats.
Learn how to give insulin shots, must know if you have cat with diabetes
Your veterinarian will demonstrate how to give the insulin shots to your cat. If your cat is relatively healthy, you will be able to take your cat home immediately and start with home care. Occasionally, the vet will want to monitor your cat and make sure he is stable before sending him home. In this case, hospitalization is advised.Make sure that you are using the correct syringe for the insulin type you have. If you buy syringes at a pharmacy, take the insulin box with you so that the pharmacist can match the right syringe to your insulin.
Your cat should eat around the time of the insulin injection. Feed your cat around one hour before it is time for the cat's shot.
Insulin For Your Diabetic Cats
Commercial insulin also known as PZI (Protamine Zinc Insulin) is insulin combined with zinc and protamine (a protein extracted from salmon testes), which slow the release of the insulin into bodily tissue.
Historically, the insulin component of PZI, as well as all other insulin produced for human medical use, was derived from animals, either cows or pigs. Animal-derived insulin is a by-product of slaughtering food animals. The pancreas is ground and transformed into a crystalline powder, which is sold to insulin manufacturers. No animals from countries where BSE (mad-cow disease) exists may be used.
Why use PZI?
For a few cats, human insulin does not successfully replace the cat's own insulin, so for them, the source of the insulin is very important to regulation. Bovine (beef) insulin is most similar in molecular structure to feline insulin, and it is thought for this reason, to be most effective for these cats.
In addition, with 2 injections per day, the many cats who do respond to the human forms of insulin, experience better control, consistency and flatter curves with PZI. In some cases, PZI offers longer durations than human insulin (up to 24 hours) allowing one injection per day.
Where Can I Get Insulin/PZI
Beef-pork PZI from IDEXX Labs
IDEXX Labs
North Carolina
800-374-8006
http://www.idexx.com/pzivet
IDEXX is now the only US pharmaceutical company manufacturing beef-pork PZI. Only vets may order. Your vet has the option to charge more than the recommended price, so you may wish to shop around. IDEXX insulin has a 3-year shelf life from date of manufacture. Certain additional procedures and fees may apply to shipments to countries other than the US.
1-800-PETMEDS
http://www.1800petmeds.com
Drs Foster and Smith
http://www.drsfostersmith.com
My Pet Prescriptions
http://mypetprescriptions.com
Allivet.com
http://allivet.com
Sources of 100% beef PZI
BCP Veterinary Pharmacy
http://www.bcpvetpharm.com/
Veterinary Pharmacies of America
http://www.vetrxrx.com/
Summit Veterinary Pharmacy, Inc.
www.svprx.ca
Source of 100% beef PZI -- if you live in the UK **
Wellington Pharmacy
England (London)
Mr. Ivor Deitsch
Phone: 011-44-207-235-5621
Fax: 011-44-207-235-0158
wellington1@btconnect.com
CP Pharmaceuticals
England
cppharma.co.uk