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CARE WHILE SWITCHING INSULIN IN CATS

By Tess Thompson

Although diabetes in cats is manageable, it requires constant observation of symptoms and close monitoring of blood sugar levels. The amount, quality and timing of meals should be decided based on the type of insulin that you are injecting. The diet should be regulated based on the frequency with which the insulin is administered.

The difference lies in the fact that some types of insulin are slow acting and others have a pronounced peak action. Switching the type of insulin requires a compensatory change in diet.

Cats and dogs are usually treated with animal based insulin (beef based insulin being the most similar to a cat’s natural insulin) or with synthetic human insulin. The veterinarian will suggest the most suitable type of insulin for your cat after considering the results of a series of blood tests for determining the effect of each type on blood sugar levels.

Cats metabolize insulin faster than dogs and the speed with which insulin is metabolized depends upon the type of insulin administered. Fast-acting synthetic human insulin may work for dogs but it is not recommended for cats. Most veterinarians recommend slow acting insulin for diabetic cats.

There will be instances when your cat may require a change in dose or type of insulin for better management of diabetes. Switching insulin can prove to be as problematic as the initial determination of the right kind of insulin to use for your cat.

The veterinarian will suggest a series of blood tests and make a record of the cat’s response to the new type all over again and prepare a blood glucose curve. A blood glucose curve is a diagram of sugar levels during the day. It is generally prepared by noting the blood sugar level at the time of the morning meal and then after every 2 to 4 hours during the day.

This helps the veterinarian in establishing the response of the body to the new insulin. This is valuable information for the veterinarian that can be used to select the right kind of substitute and the right dose for the new insulin.

While switching the type of insulin, the diet plan also needs to be reconsidered. Depending upon whether the insulin is slow acting or otherwise, you may be required to change the frequency of meals. The focus is on regulating the blood sugar level by managing the timing of the injection, the intensity of the insulin and timing and amount of food.

The initial dose, whether it is the first time or a switch over to a new type of insulin, needs to be monitored closely. It usually varies between 0.5 to 2 units daily with a frequency of two doses per day.

The effect of the insulin change may not be significant on the symptoms of diabetes in cats. However, close monitoring is necessary because a sudden fall in blood sugar can cause hypoglycemia that can lead to immediate death of the cat.

The initial small dosage is increased gradually and with extreme care. With every increase in dosage, further blood tests need to be done to monitor the affect of each increase before the dosage is settled for a considerable period.

Diabetes in cats is a common disorder. However, since it is a manageable disease there is no reason why your cat should not live the full length of its life if you can take proper care and visit your veterinarian as and when the situation arises.

References:
http://www.vetinfo4cats.com/cinsulin.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes_in_cats_and_dogs#Insulin_injections