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 3^rd, 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.

Bookmark www.carolonpets.com for the latest pet health care news, tips and anti-aging updates for your dogs and cats.

Holistic veterinarian and researcher, Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM is available for pet health care consultations and pet health questions. Call Dr. Carol’s office toll free at 1-866-372-2765 to make an appointment for your pet.

PZI Insulin, which is porcine or pig based insulin, labeled as Vetsulin for dogs and cats in the United States and as Caninsulin in Canada and 23 other countries, has just been re-approved by the FDA for veterinarians to prescribe to their pet diabetes patients under what is being referred to as a new Critical-Need Program.

Over the last 6 months, countless numbers of diabetic dogs and cats on Vetsulin have died. Others have suffered devastating and for many pets, irreversible health consequences including blindness, liver and kidney failure. Well meaning diabetic pet owners have faced not only financial strain but also tremendous emotional duress.

In addition, a $29 Million Dollar Vetsulin Class Action Law Suit is ongoing.

The FDA and Vetsulin manufacturer, Intervet/Schering Plough, announced the “Vetsulin Alert” initially on November 3rd, 2009. The alert was issued because there was a concern that certain batches of Vetsulin “might be unstable.”  It may be of interest to note that on November 3rd, 2009, Schering-Plough merged with Merck.

The FDA Vetsulin Alert is quoted as follows: National Report — November 3rd, 2009

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Pancreatitis is severe inflammation of the pancreas that often occurs due to eating too much rich, fatty food or getting into the garbage. Minature Schnauzers and obese dogs have the highest incidence of this disease. Dogs allowed to sample the feast at holiday celebrations often end up with indigestion and pancreatitis. With repeated episodes of inflammation, the pancreas loses its ability to function properly which can lead to diabetes.

SIGNS of Pancreatitis
* Vomiting.
* Diarrhea.
* Abdominal pain.
* Depression and lethargy.

WHAT YOU AND YOUR VET CAN DO
* Diagnosis is based on history, signs, and blood work if necessary. Treatment is geared to allow the intestinal tract to rest by withholding all food and water for up to 24 hours. Fluids may be given under the skin (subcutaneously), or in cases with vomiting fluids are replaced intravenously. Most dogs and cats respond to treatment and in a few days are gradually put back onto food, starting with a bland diet given in small portions several times daily.
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Pets and Diabetes
Pets and The Sugar Epidemic

The ABC’s of Diabetes Management, Insulin and Your Pet’s Diet

Welcome back to Boomster Live! This Thursday, 1/21 at 5:30 PM EST, Boomster’s in house pet expert, holistic veterinarian, Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM. returns to answer your pet health care questions, this time, regarding the growing problem of pet diabetes.

Unfortunately, diabetes is just as much of a problem for pets as it is for people. Dr. Carol will be providing insider secrets on how to maintain, monitor and feed your diabetic pet. It’s as easy as ABC!

For more information visit Boomster.com

So get Fido and Fluffy and join Dr. Carol and the Boomster Staff this Thursday 1/21 at 5:30PM EST!

Make sure you get to the show a few minutes beforehand so you can make sure your web browser is properly configured, your speakers are working and you have your pet diabetes questions ready to ask Dr. Carol.

The urine sugar Diastix readings are actually very accurate for diabetic pets. In fact, before home blood monitors became available they were used exclusively for owners to monitor sugar levels and insulin dosages.

Today Diabetes is Big Business! The number of pets and people affected with diabetes has sky rocked to epidemic levels. Fortune 500 corporations and pharmaceutical companies including Intervet/Schering-Plough are cashing in and making big bucks by selling all kinds of new diabetes supplies and devices. Relabeling Vetsulin for pets and selling home blood monitors to diabetic pet owners are just two examples of this current trend.

The Diastix urine color readings have to be interpreted and then matched to determined correct insulin dosages for diabetic dogs and cats. Holistic veterinarian, pet expert and author, Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM. is available to work with and teach diabetic pet owners how to monitor and dose insulin for their diabetic pets at home.

If you are not able to locate the Diastix, pick up a bottle of Keto-Diastix, also available at Walgreen’s and you will only be using the glucose side of the strip not the ketone side.

The outside of the Diastix bottle does not have readings that match the values of -2, -1. Trace, +1, +2 as noted on the pet diabetes article I posted yesterday. This article will show diabetic pet owners how to interpret the colors and values on the Diastix bottle so they can evaluate and interpret their pets insulin dosages properly at home by matching the above values.

The outside of the Diastix bottle does have has a series of colors and corresponding percentages. When reading these from left to right, the colors will correspond to the following insulin dosages which you need to make into a chart. Insulin dosages are always calculated from your pet’s previous insulin dosage.

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Regulate your Diabetic Pet at Home & Make a Personal Pet Glucose Curve Yourself!

Switching pets over from Vetsulin to DNA based insulin is not hard and daily regulation using your pets urine along with a product, available at Walgreen’s, called Diastix, will help you regulate your diabetic pet at home as quickly as possible. Most diabetic pets should be regulated within a week of beginning their new stable DNA based insulin.

Learn how to make a glucose curve for your pet at home.

This will prove to be very helpful and will provide you and your vet with valuable information. It will allow you to monitor sugar level trends and follow your pet’s sugar levels accurately and cost effectively. You can also add a box at the end of each day to mark down any important signs you noticed in your pet that day such as appetite, energy levels, attitude, water consumption, frequency of urinating, etc. Whenever you visit your vet bring your chart along and review it with your vet.

Once you make your pet’s sugar curve chart, be sure to post it in a convenient place like your refrigerator door. This way everyone in your family will be on the same page when it comes to your pets insulin dosages.

To Make Your Pets Personal Sugar Curve:

Take a piece of notebook paper and write down the date each day. Place the dates vertically down the left side of the paper. Across the top of the paper, mark down the time of day, the urine sugar reading and the dose of insulin you have given every morning and every evening.

You simply match the color of your pet’s urine to the numeric value on the Diastix strip and adjust the insulin dosage accordingly. This is vital to try to minimize further internal organ damage and preserve what if any vision is left, before cataracts occur.
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In the midst of working with a variety of worried diabetic pet owners, I wanted to share a story with all of you about a dog named Jock.

I got a call from a man who owns a 9 year old, 8 pound toy poodle, named Jock. Jock has diabetes and had been taking Vetsulin for a couple years to regulate his blood sugar, when all of the sudden, about a month ago, Jock started rapidly going down hill. In fact Jock got so bad, he had to get IV fluids and stay at the vets for 3 days.

Eddie was upset. He had just come home from the vet, who handed him Jock’s latest blood work and explained that unfortunately, Jock’s condition had become even worse. Now he had liver in addition to kidney failure and there was nothing else that could be done. The vets final words were “love your dog for his last few days.”

After talking for a while, I told him it was possible that the liver and kidney problems were both related to the Vetsulin. Eddie was unaware of the Vetsulin recall. I explained the Vetsulin issue and told him he would need a prescription from his vet for DNA based insulin. He would need to make a decision quickly if he was going to try to save Jock. He was going to think about it and hung up.
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With all the pet diabetes problems and mis-information going on about Vetsulin and what to do with diabetic pets, our phones have not stopped ringing. I wanted to share this note I received from a pet owner suffering with her diabetic dog who was on Vetsulin.

Dear Dr. Carol,
I was really happy this morning. At 11 units of Humulin insulin given last night, my dog Scruffy’s urine tested (-1), so I decreased the dose 1 unit, on his new insulin. Chuckle, chuckle, YEP I finally understand the information you tried to explain to me on the phone several times regarding monitoring and adjusting his new insulin levels! I know that could change, but that was great news as far as I am concerned.

Thank God I talked with you on the units of insulin to administer. I am so glad I got him off the Vetsulin. Like I said, this information was worth a lot to us for Scruffy. ESPECIALLY, you explaining to me to NEVER INCREASE MORE THAN 2 UNITS! My friend in Ohio, just lost her dog while it was on the Vetsulin insulin. I know she was under the opinion that you could give the dog a lot of units, if the blood sugar levels were not stabilizing. So very sad, between the dog being on the recalled Vetsulin, and giving him a large dose at one time, that I’m sure contributed until his death.
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I wanted to share yet another note I received with my pet loving friends about Pets with Diabetes, taking Vetsulin. The Vetsulin, is not stable and has been recalled. Pets are experiencing blood sugar issues that are potentially life threatening, yet it appears that some veterinarians are still reluctant to replace the Vetsulin. One has to wonder, Why?

Hi Dr. Carol,

I just talked with you about my dog’s Diabetes and the Vetsulin issues. I am not to pleased with what I am getting from my Vets office.

My vet won’t have anything to do with getting a refund on the Vetsulin, and I just bought a new bottle. They claim that they can’t resell the Vetsulin to anyone else since I used it.
DUH, why would you even want to sell it if it has been recalled?

I have an appointment here at 5:30 today my time. Of course, they want to run a whole new blood work-up. Bently just started throwing up again, and is hanging his head over his water bowl, which is not a good thing. His urine sugar level has been high and my vet said not to worry that it is just a “Dog Syndrome.”

I will be in touch, thanks so much for your help.

Debbie B.
Santa Monica, California

Dear Debbie,

Bently does not have a “Dog Syndrome.” He is experiencing high blood sugar which we refer to as hyperglycemia. This is occurring because the Vetsulin is not stable and needs to be replaced with stable DNA based (rather than porcine or pig based) insulin, which is available at most pharmacies, at a lesser cost.

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I wanted to share this note I received with all of my pet loving friends. I just got this letter from a gentleman whose dog was not only sickened from eating tainted dog food involved in the Menu Pet Food recall, but now is faced with the Vetsulin issue.

After eating the tainted Menu dog food, Pierre, a 14 year old Golden Retriever was diagnosed with Diabetes. Now Pierre is suffering with blood sugar problems.

His vet not only refused to write him a prescription for NPH insulin at the pharmacy but also said he was not able to issue him a refund for the tainted Vetsulin. Pierre had a blood sugar curve run 30 days ago, yet his vet said he would need to run another blood sugar curve before he would consider writing him a prescription for NPH insulin. Needless-to-say, he has yet to be reimbursed from Menu foods and now is again forced to shell out even more hard earned dollars to deal with Pierre’s blood sugar and Vetsulin issues.

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