www.mypetonline.co.uk/petdiabetes OWNER MANUAL Diabetes in Cats
DIABETES IN CATS What is Diabetes? Glucose (blood sugar) is derived from the food your cat eats and provides the energy body cells need to function. Cells however can only absorb glucose if insulin (a hormone produced by the pancreas) is present. Sometimes, the pancreas becomes unable to produce insulin or alternatively the cells in the body become less responsive to insulin. If either of these occur, your cat s blood sugar levels will get too high and diabetes mellitus (shortened to just diabetes) will result. Diagnosis The signs listed above suggest that diabetes could be present, but they can also be caused by a number of other diseases. Therefore, your vet will have diagnosed your pet with diabetes through running a combination of blood and urine tests. Whilst diabetes can occur in any cat, it is more commonly seen in older cats, neutered male cats and in the Burmese breed. Can diabetes be cured? Usually the underlying cause of the diabetes cannot be cured, but with the establishment of a regular routine and the use of Caninsulin, your cat can lead a normal, happy life. What are the signs of diabetes? Diabetic cats may show a range of clinical signs due to their illness. In particular, diabetic cats will often drink and urinate excessively. They will also tend to lose weight despite having an increased appetite. General signs such as lethargy and poor hair coat condition are often seen. 2
Treatment The main aim of treatment is to restore a good quality of life, not just for your cat but for you as well. We can do this by stopping the signs of diabetes. Treatment also helps reduce the risk of diabetic complications. Whilst cats tend to escape some of the more serious complications seen in diabetic people, they will have a higher incidence of problems such as hind limb weakness. Just as in people, diabetes can be effectively controlled by the injection of insulin (such as Caninsulin from MSD Animal Health). In cats, insulin is generally given in the morning and evening, usually 12 hours apart. Routine is the key to successfully treating diabetes and revolves around insulin injections, exercise, weight control and diet. Veterinary nurses are often a great source of advice on these matters. Caninsulin VetPen Starting Treatment As every cat s insulin requirement is different, your veterinary surgeon will need to tailor the dose of insulin to your pet s needs. It may take several months to achieve full stabilisation, although you should see improvements in your cat within a few weeks of commencing treatment. Your cat will typically be started on a conservative dose of insulin based on their bodyweight and blood glucose levels. You will also be shown how to administer Caninsulin correctly under your cat s skin (see illustrations on pages and ) using either special syringes or VetPen. If using VetPen, only use Caninsulin cartridges and VetPen needles. If using syringes, only use 0IU syringes designed for use with Caninsulin. It is surprising how easy this all becomes with a little practice. You will need to keep in close contact with your veterinary practice initially however the frequency of visits should reduce once the appropriate stabilisation dose of insulin has been determined. You should never change the dose of insulin you give to your pet without first consulting your vet. You may be asked to test urine samples on a regular basis to check for glucose and ketones, using special test sticks supplied by your vet. These give an extra indication of how your pet is getting on. Always consult your vet if you are unsure what to do.
VERY IMPORTANT Low Blood Glucose ( HYPOGLYCAEMIA ) One potentially dangerous complication that you should be prepared for is hypoglycaemia ; this is when the blood sugar level falls too low. This may happen if too much insulin is given or if your cat refuses to eat after insulin administration or your cat goes into remission for their diabetes. In this situation the brain, which is very dependent on a supply of glucose, cannot get enough energy. The early signs include unrest or lethargy, weakness and shivering/muscle twitching, progressing to fits and unconsciousness. The condition is potentially life-threatening if not treated promptly. Diabetic remission can occur in up to 50% of cats treated with Caninsulin. It is therefore vital to monitor your cat for any signs of hypoglycaemia as this may indicate remission. What to do if you see signs of hypoglycaemia: 1. Give food immediately. 2. If your cat doesn t eat straight away, syringe a glucose solution into the mouth and/or rub glucose powder on the gums and under the tongue (see below). Take care not to get bitten.. Call your veterinary surgeon for advice. Glucose powder and solution are available from your local pharmacist. Make sure you have some available at all times in case of emergency. When treating hypoglycaemia aim to give 1 gram of glucose per kilogram bodyweight. For example, a kilogram cat would require approximately 1 level teaspoon of glucose/sugar.
Tips on looking after your insulin Insulin is a very fragile substance. Incorrect storage and handling of insulin may mean that it doesn t have the proper effect when you give it to your cat. Follow these rules with Caninsulin: Always keep unopened Caninsulin cartridges/vials in the fridge. Once broached, whilst it is ideal to keep Caninsulin in the fridge, it is stable provided it is kept under 25 degrees Celsius Do not use a cartridge/vial of Caninsulin for longer than 28 days Additional Owner Support Materials MSD Animal Health produces a variety of pet-owner support materials, available from your veterinary practice on request Visit our website www.mypetonline.co.uk/petdiabetes for detailed information on managing your diabetic pet Do not allow Caninsulin to freeze - freezing destroys the insulin. Remember that items kept at the back of the fridge may freeze if they come into contact with the cooling plate Always store unbroached Caninsulin in an upright position - insulin can be affected by substances in the rubber cap at the top of the cartridge/vial Before first use, agitate the cartridge/vial until a uniform milky suspension is obtained. Foam on the surface of the suspension formed during shaking should be allowed to disperse before the Caninsulin is used. Before each injection, the Caninsulin should be gently mixed to maintain a uniform milky suspension. Agglomerates can form in insulin suspensions: do not use the product if visible agglomerates persist after shaking thoroughly Summary When you find out that your cat is a diabetic it can be a daunting experience - there is a lot to learn in the first few weeks. However, in time, many owners establish a routine that becomes second nature to both them and their cats. Looking after a diabetic cat is a challenging, yet rewarding undertaking. It must be accepted that regular injections, a fixed routine and frequent visits to the vet will become a way of life. However, with the right care, cats can enjoy a full and happy life after the diagnosis of diabetes. 5
METHOD OF INJECTION VETPEN Your vet or veterinary nurse will show you how to inject your cat with VetPen. IMPORTANT: ONLY USE WITH CANINSULIN CARTRIDGES AND VETPEN NEEDLES 1Ensure the arrow on the VetPen body points to the start line on the dose selector. Then dial up the number of units of insulin required as per your veterinary surgeon s direction. If you over-dial, never wind back the dose selector. Expel the insulin and draw up the correct dose. 2 Pull the skin of the scruff of the neck/back upwards and form a depression with your forefinger. Insert the needle of VetPen at right angles gently through the skin in the depression you have formed. Then push the release button toward the pen needle and hold it in place until the start line on the dose selector returns to the arrow on the pen body. Count to a minimum of 5 seconds before removing the needle from the skin.
METHOD OF INJECTION SYRINGES Your vet or veterinary nurse will show you how to inject your cat with a syringe. IMPORTANT: ONLY USE 0IU SYRINGES DESIGNED FOR USE WITH CANINSULIN 1Draw up into the syringe slightly more insulin than needed. Expel any air bubbles by tapping the upright syringe with your finger and then gently press the plunger until the correct dose remains. 2 Pull the skin of the scruff of the neck/back upwards and form a depression with your forefinger. Insert the injection needle at right angles gently through the skin in the depression you have formed. Gently draw back the syringe plunger and if blood appears remove the needle from the skin and start again with a fresh syringe (this will very rarely happen). Release your hold on the skin. Slowly depress the plunger.
USING VETPEN How long will my Caninsulin VetPen 2.ml cartridge last? www.mypetonline.co.uk/petdiabetes IU per injection IU per day based on twice daily dosing No. of days cartridge will last IU per injection IU per day based on twice daily dosing No. of days cartridge will last 0.5 1 108 *.5 1 8 1 2 5 * 1 1.5 *.5 15 2 2 8 1 2.5.5.5 5 5.5 5 8 9 10 11 12 21 18 15 1 12 10 9 9 9 10 11 12 1 1 15 1 18 20 22 2 2 28 0 2 * Cartridge should be discarded after 28 days and replaced with a new one. 5 Caninsulin VetPen is a winner of the ICC (International Cat Care) Easy to Give Award - Recognises commitment in making dosing medicines easier, making life less stressful to vets, owners and feline patients alike Use medicines responsibly. For more information visit www.noah.co.uk/responsible Caninsulin is for animal treatment only and must be prescribed by your veterinary surgeon whose advice should be sought. Caninsulin is indicated for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in cats and dogs. Caninsulin is an intermediate acting insulin product containing porcine insulin, which is structurally identical to canine insulin. Legal category POM-V Caninsulin is the property of Intervet International B.V. or affiliated companies or licensors and is protected by copyrights, trademark and other intellectual property laws. Copyright 201 Intervet International B.V. All rights reserved. MSD Animal Health, Walton Manor, Walton, Milton Keynes MK AJ Item Code: SA-0585 098/July1/NB/5k