An alert involving Vetsulin has been issued.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health have issued an alert in regards to Vetsulin® brand insulin. Specifically, according to Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health, the manufacturer of Vetsulin®, "The product has been found to be out of specification in regards to the long term stability of the crystalline, or long acting, component."
Though neither the FDA or Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health have documented any reports of pets which have been adversely affected by the insulin, both sources advise close monitoring of pets receiving the insulin and ask that veterinarians report any adverse reactions in pets receiving Vetsulin®.
Potential effects for diabetic dogs and cats receiving Vetsulin®
The reported instability in Vetsulin® brand insulin could potentially cause "a delay in onset of action, a delay in peak activity and an overall extension of the duration of activity", according to Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health. As a result, pets may be at higher risk of developing hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia.
As a result of the alert and Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health's attempts to correct the situation, supplies of Vetsulin® in the United States are limited. It is being recommended that pets newly diagnosed with diabetes not be started on the Vetsulin® product. It is also recommended that pets currently receiving Vetsulin® be transitioned to another insulin product. The company does not have an estimate, at the current time, as to when Vetsulin® will become readily available again in the US, even though they are working diligently to rectify the situation and solve the problem.
Signs of hypoglycemia in dogs and cats
The symptoms associated with hypoglycemia in pets are:
- depression,
- lethargy,
- disorientation,
- incoordination, and
- seizures.
Monitoring for hypoglycemia is advised for any diabetic pet. Pets experiencing symptoms of hypoglycemia should receive prompt veterinary treatment as hypoglycemia can be a life-threatening event.
Symptoms of hyperglycemia in dogs and cats
Signs of hyperglycemia in dogs and cats include:
- increased urine volume,
- increased thirst,
- increased appetite, and
- weight loss.
Pets experiencing hyperglycemia should also be evaluated by their veterinarian. A change in insulin may be indicated, especially in light of the recommendation to transition pets currently receiving Vetsulin® to another type of insulin.
Pet owners whose pets are receiving Vetsulin® need to monitor their pets carefully for adverse reactions to the insulin. It may be necessary to switch these pets to another type of insulin, at least temporarily, as Vetsulin® may not be readily available in the US in the immediate future.
Readers who enjoyed this article might also enjoy:
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- Hypoglycemia in the Diabetic Dog and Cat: Low Blood Sugar as a Complication in Canine and Feline Diabetes
- Canine Diabetes Mellitus: Recognizing the Symptoms and Signalment of Diabetes in Dogs
- Diabetes Mellitus in Dogs: Treatment Options and Considerations for Diabetic Dogs
- Feline Diabetes Mellitus: Recognizing the Symptoms of Diabetes in Cats
- Diabetes Mellitus in Dogs and Cats: Methods to Diagnose and Monitor Canine and Feline Diabetes
- Diabetes Mellitus in Cats: Treatment Options for Diabetic Cats
- Treating Canine and Feline Diabetes Mellitus: Using Blood Glucose Curves to Monitor Diabetic Dogs and Cats
- Types of Insulin for Diabetic Dogs and Cats: Insulin Characteristics Affect Treatment of Canine & Feline Diabetes
The copyright of the article Concern for dogs and cats with diabetes: Potentially unstable Vetsulin insulin is owned by Lorie Huston. Permission to republish Concern for dogs and cats with diabetes: Potentially unstable Vetsulin insulin in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Comments
My cat died 4 days ago.
She was on VETSULIN for 7 months, and let me tell you, it was 7 months of HELL for both of us!!
I lost my dobe in Aug Treated her with vetsulin for 6 months. I thought her symtoms were no so old age.. I really miss my best friend.......
I lost my Scottish Terrior tonight! He had been on Vetsulin for several years and was doing wonderfully. Our Vet had to put him on human insulin and he went down hill very quickly and we finally were left with no choice but to put him down today.
I don't understand why those of us with excellent results on Vetsulin were not given the option of remaining on it until the changes had been made. Because we were not given that option we have lost our wonderful friend. Very sad tonight indeeed!
I was met by a surprise when I went to my vet today...... no Vetsulin for the time being. I wasn't even informed by my vet that there was even a problem with the insulin til today and have been getting new vials once a month til now. I have Ladybug a pomeranian mix that is almost 10 years old and has had diabetes for over a year. She had her last dose of Vetsulin this morning and I have to start her on a different insulin tonight. She has been well regulated this whole time without any problems on Vetsulin but my vet did tell me that switching her can cause serious problems but I have no choice. I look at her now wanting to cry cause I know the hell we went through to regulate her and now we have to go thru it again. It is not fair to us and I question if I should just let her go instead of putting her thru that again :( I don't want her to suffer she is my baby even if she is the oldest child. I swear sometimes people just don't think about the consequences of their actions.....
My dog Tigger is my child. She has been a diabetic for several years and has been doing well on Vetsulin. Now that the product has been pulled by the FDA, she is going downhill rapidly. Do you know what it is like watching your child die because a division of our government blocked the cure? Why can't WE make that decision for ourselves...the Vetsulin which is made specifically for animals or the human insulin? Everyone concerned needs to write and call our Vets and government reps to turn this around. Millions of animals have lived good lives with Vetsulin. Please help!
I will have to transition my 'almost 16 year old' yorkie off Vetsulin onto human insulin, over the next week or so. I have one full bottle left; I initially purchased six months' worth (and all I could get my hands on, when I heard of the recall). I am sick to death over this; initially it was like making a call on how much time I'd have with him to use up all the Vetsulin. And now thank God he is still hanging in there and I have to make the transition. I didn't want to have to put him through this at this age, and with all he has survived. Despite being blind, deaf, heart murmer, diabetic - he truly lives a happy, quality life. I will never forgive myself if I lose him because of this transition. He did so well with Vetsulin for more than two years, without any incident. Sorry some of us didn't have the option to let things run their course. It is in God's hands...
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