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Bunbury, WA
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The Latest on the Treatment of Diabetes in Cats and DogsA relatively new type of insulin called "Glargine" has been responsible for revolutionizing the treatment of diabetes in cats. Insulin Glargine is very similar to human insulin but has been modified in such a way as to precipitate (come out of solution) at body pH. This causes it to be released slowly at a relatively constant rate. As such, it has been called a "peakless" insulin in people. Abnormal peaks and valleys in blood sugar levels define poor diabetic control, so an insulin that maintains steadier blood sugar levels obviously has some value.
Despite its popularity in the treatment of diabetic cats, the use of Glargine to treat diabetes in dogs had previously been reported as difficult. However, a study published in a 2013 issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association now has me excited about the possibility. Researchers treated 10 diabetic dogs with Glargine injected under the skin twice daily. Five of the subjects had just been diagnosed with diabetes whilst the other five were poorly regulated while being given either porcine lente insulin or human NPH insulin, the usual choices for treating canine diabetes. In addition to receiving Glargine insulin, the dogs in the study were also fed a high fibre diet, which is a standard recommendation for all diabetic dogs.
The authors concluded that Glargine insulin administered SC [under the skin] twice daily is an effective mode of treatment for dogs with naturally occurring diabetes mellitus and may be used as an alternative to other insulin preparations that have been shown to be effective in treatment of diabetes mellitus in dogs. Diabetic management is such a balancing act that I would not recommend switching to Glargine if your dog is doing well on another insulin preparation, but it is an excellent option for newly diagnosed or poorly regulated diabetic dogs. Given our extremely positive results in diabetic cats with the product, we are very excited to offer this treatment in our clinic. If you have any questions then please feel free to give us a ring on 9721 6778.
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Other types of insulin like Caninsulin have meant lifelong treatment and very meticulous monitoring of diabetic cats. However, with this new treatment, 80% of cats, when fed a high fibre low GI diet, will recover enough insulin production that they will no longer need insulin injections at all. In the 8 years we have been using Insulin Glargine in cats, the time to remission has been from 14 days to 5 months with the average of about 3 months. Even the 20% of cats that require lifelong treatment are much easier to maintain and monitor with no tedious glucose curves or water intake monitoring. Monitoring of spot glucose levels and weight 4 times a year are generally all that is required. Most diabetic cats are initially treated as out-patients as long as they are still eating which again simplifies treatment. 
The study found no significant difference between mean minimum and mean maximum blood glucose concentrations or between any of the blood glucose concentrations measured at other time points. This was true at the time of the first follow-up visit as well as when dogs had well-regulated diabetes mellitus. It was therefore concluded that, in dogs, Glargine insulin is a peakless insulin, which results in a relatively flat blood glucose concentration curve just like in cats.