Dr. Carol – what can I say…you’re truly a blessing!!!
My 8 year old Lab, Harley got very sick. My dog wasn’t eating and I had to take a water bowl to her to get her to drink. She had zero energy and her breathing was weird and she had urinated all over the kitchen floor one night.
I thought her breathing seemed a bit labored, in the end I would find out it was because my dog was in pain.
Anyway, I spent $1,200 at the emergency vet. They weren’t finding anything. They called in a ‘specialist’ to look at her and he duplicated some of the lab tests as he wanted to have them sent to a different lab.
All the tests came back pointing to problems with my dog’s pancreas. The next step would have been to do an expensive ultra sound to ‘try’ to figure out what to do next.
I contacted Dr. Carol as I knew her PAAWS products had helped my mom’s dog a few years back. I sent her a copy of Harley’s lab results. She looked them over and offered her advice free of charge. She saved me the expense of the ultra sound.
She instructed me to feed Harley a home-made pet diet made of brown rice, boiled chicken, peas and sent me some of her pet products (Probiotics and Digest-Zymes) to sprinkle on her food.
I wasn’t sure if Harley would eat it because she tends to be a bit picky. She not only ate Dr. Carol’s home-made diet, she was wanting MORE. I took a sigh of relief (that she was eating)!! Harley has also started on the PAAWS product and she LOVES them!!!
Just before Harley got sick, I had recently opened a new bag of Iams Healthy Naturals (lamb meal and rice).
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 insulinto 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.
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
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. Read the rest of this entry »
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!
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.
I wanted to share another note I received from a diabetic pet owner:
Dear Dr. Carol,
You are so kind and dedicated to your field to even email me as a total stranger. I congratulate you for this- you are obviously one of the few whom are truly dedicated to your practice.
I am an emergency room, registered nurse of 27 years. It has been extremely hard on me and my husband this past year with Winston. When you are use to treating and healing others, it truly is hard when your own are sick and your hands are tied and you want to help. I never was comfortable with Vetsulin and wondered why not the other insulin. Felt like I could get a human’s insulin under control within hours, why can’t I get Winston’s better controlled?
If only we were informed as soon as this FDA warning came out 11/2/09, this possibly could have been prevented. Whose responsibility is this? I think it is the manufacturer and the prescribing veterinarian and dispensing facility, whether the pharmacy or the vet’s office. Read the rest of this entry »
I wanted to share another success story with all of the loving diabetic pet owners searching the web for information on how to deal with diabetic pets still taking Vetsulin and trying to get answers on how to switch their dogs over from Vetsulin to DNA based insulin. It is not difficult at all.
Here is a pet owner who’s little dog was suffering from unregulated diabetes with secondary kidney and liver failure resulting from tainted Vetsulin, in addition to arthritis. He almost gave up on his dog but decided to give it a try and got his best friend back.
Hi Dr Carol,
Spike is doing very, very well on his new insulin and his urine sugar readings are consistent.
We gave Spike the the coffee enema yesterday and my wife
commented today when she combed him out that she thought his
coat was improving. That would be a great event if his liver and coat both improve.
His mobility has increased quite a bit in the last day. Not sure if the 1/2 tablet of the hip/joint pill has
kicked in already or if the Adequan shot on Tuesday made the difference.
I suspect it’s the hip/joint pill. I intend to continue to finish up the Adequan,
then will keep him on on the hip/joint supplement, kidney essentials and PAAWS vitamins forever. Read the rest of this entry »
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.
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. Read the rest of this entry »
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. Read the rest of this entry »
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Includes an in-depth review of your pet's medical history, records, blood tests, x-rays and other test results. Dr. Carol personally reviews your pet’s records and will consult with you by telephone at a mutually agreeable time.
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