Objective: To evaluate duration of action of an insulin zinc suspension (Caninsulin, Intervet) in spontaneously occurring cases of canine diabetes mellitus and suitability of its use as a once daily administered insulin for treatment of this disease.
Design: Eight client-owned canine diabetics were included in a prospective pilot study. All dogs had been treated with Caninsulin for a minimum of 2 months and were considered on clinical grounds to be adequately stabilised.
Procedure: Dogs were hospitalised for 24 h and blood collected every 2 h via indwelling venous catheters for blood glucose determination.
Results: Once daily Caninsulin administration failed to maintain glycaemic control for greater than 13 h in five of eight dogs, but acceptable blood glucose concentrations were maintained for 22 h and greater than 24 h in two others. One dog became distressed during hospitalisation and the blood glucose curve did not show an identifiable response to the insulin.
Conclusion: Most diabetic dogs may require twice daily administration of Caninsulin for satisfactory glycaemic control, but once daily administration may be adequate in some animals. More comprehensive investigation into duration of activity of Caninsulin is warranted.