NOTE: This page is a verbatim reprint of research forwarded us by our friend Patricia in Oz.  An abstract of this research paper is available online here, reprints of the entire paper are also available for purchase from this site.  Note that GJW Martin who headed this study is a world-reknowned veterinarian who has researched and published information on feline diabetes for a number of years to a global audience.

Please note that Dr. Martin is no longer part of the research group that conducted this study, but the group can be contacted via this website.  If you'd like to reach Dr. Martin, let Gorb know and we'll forward his contact information along.

The Efficacy of 40 iu/ml Porcine Lente Insulin for the Treatment of Feline Diabetes Mellitus

GJW Martin BVSc MACVSc and JS Rand BVSc DVSc DipACVIM

Companion Animal Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia

http//www.uq.edu.au/~webschoo/default.htm

Caninsulin, a veterinary preparation of porcine lente insulin, is commonly used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in dogs and cats in many countries, including Australia. Although there has been a detailed study of its efficacy in dogs, there are no detailed reports of the use of porcine lente insulin in cats. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Caninsulin in 25 naturally occurring feline diabetics over a treatment period of 1 year.

Diabetic cats were recruited from referrals to The University of Queensland Companion Animal Hospital. Cats were initially stabilised with insulin over a period of one week. Re-evaluation was performed at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 26 and 52 weeks after initial discharge, and as required. Insulin dosage was adjusted on the basis of 2 hourly serial blood glucose measurements over 12 or 24 hours. Clinical parameters monitored were bodyweight, condition score, and food and water intake. Clinicopathological parameters monitored were mean blood glucose, J-index of glycemia, serum fructosamine, beta-hydroxybutyrate, cholesterol, triglycerides blanked for free glycol, urine glucose, urine ketones, and urine specific gravity.

All cats had marked clinical improvement with treatment. Seven off the 25 cats achieved diabetic remission during the study, and insulin treatment was discontinued. Three cats died or were euthanased during the study period (2 non-diabetic causes, 1 unknown). Clinical and clinicopathological parameters improved over the duration of the study. All cats required twice daily injections of Caninsulin, with a mean dose rate of approximately 0.6 iu/kg bid, ranging from 0/1 to 1.9 iu/kg bid. The peak action of Caninsulin on blood glucose occurred at about 5 hours after injection.

Caninsulin injection twice daily is an effective and safe treatment for feline diabetes mellitus. Dose rates should be titrated for individual cats on the basis of serial blood glucose measurements.

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