If you are not aware Vetsulin is no longer produced but still distributed until supplies are exhausted. In November 2009, FDA announced it’s concerns about the stability of Vetsulin and recommended that diabetic dogs and cats currently receiving Vetsulin be switched to other insulin products. According to Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health’s web site they are working with the FDA to rectify the situation. At this time they cannot speculate on how long VETSULIN will be unavailable or in limited supply.
Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health has announced a new program to keep Vetsulin on the market for Critical Needs Dogs and Cats. Their press release is below.
Vetsulin Critical Need Program
http://www.vetsulin.com/dog-owner/Vet_ProductAlert.aspx (Bottom of Page)May 5, 2010
CVM Update
FDA Announces Availability of Vetsulin for Critical Needs Dogs and CatsThe Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced today a plan to address concerns regarding the supply of Intervet/Schering Plough Animal Health’s (Intervet) Vetsulin (porcine insulin zinc suspension), a product used to treat diabetes in dogs and cats. FDA is allowing Intervet to offer a limited supply of Vetsulin through their Vetsulin Critical-Need Program. The supply is only to be used for a critical-need dog or cat that, in the medical judgment of the pet’s veterinarian, cannot be effectively managed on another insulin product.
In November 2009, FDA announced it’s concerns about the stability of Vetsulin and recommended that diabetic dogs and cats currently receiving Vetsulin be switched to other insulin products. After publicizing this recommendation, FDA and Intervet heard from many veterinarians and pet owners who expressed significant concerns about specific diabetic dogs and cats which could only be controlled with Vetsulin.
As a result of these concerns, FDA is recommending veterinarians with qualified patients contact Intervet’s Technical Services Department at 800-224-5318, to request enrollment of the patient in the Vetsulin Critical-Need Program. The veterinarian will need to provide the medical rationale for why the patient cannot be effectively controlled using another insulin product.
Intervet continues to work with FDA to address FDA’s concerns associated with the manufacture of Vetsulin. Because Vetsulin may have varying amounts of crystalline zinc insulin in the formulation, it could cause a delay in insulin action and an overall longer duration of insulin activity. Insulin products that do not remain within specification throughout the entire shelf life could potentially result in unpredictable fluctuations in the glucose levels of diabetic patients. Use of Vetsulin under the Critical-Need Program will require close monitoring of the patient, all of which will be described in an owner consent form.
For additional information, please see:
http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/NewsEvents/CVMUpdates/ucm188752.htm
As of yesterday, Feb. 4, 2011, the FDA announced that Vetsulin supplies have run out for even the Critical Care Program and are advising vets to switch to a different insulin.
Very, very sad for those owners that for important reasons can not use NPH.
MY DOG, A PUG,AGE 7YRS. HAS BEEN USING VETSULIN FOR 4 YRS. IN FEB. 2011 HAD A REACTION TO THE INSULIN OF VETSULIN, I WAS NOT TOLD THAT OTHER DOGS HAD PROBLEMS, ONLY THAT CATS HAD PROBLEMS. NOW I SEE WHY VETSULIN WAS NOT A GOOD PRODUCT TO USE AS MY DOG HAS SPENT THE LAST TWO MONTHS VERY ILL, HAS LOST OVER 5 LBS. OF WEIGHT, NOT EATING ANYTHING, I AM VERY UPSET, THAT THIS PRODUCT WAS NOT RECALLED.MAYBE MY DOG WOULD HAVE GONE THRU SO MUCH SICKNESS, IF YOU HAD OF RECALLED THIS PRODUCT. I HAVE SPENT OVER $600 DOLLARS, ANDMY DOG IS NOT THE DOG HE WAS BACK 2 MONTHS AGO.NOW I HAVE PEOBLEMS GETTING HIM TO EAT ANYTHING, AT ALL. THIS IS VERY SAD, FOR ME AND MY DOG, FOR I LOVE HIM AS THOUGH HE WAS MY CHILD. WE HAVE STARTED ON HUMULIN N ISULIN, BUT HE IS STILL HAVING LOTS OF PROBLEMS, AND LOSING MORE WT. EVERYDAY.THE VET DOES NOT KNOW WHAT THE BAD VETSULIN MIGHT HAVE DONE TO HIS GENERAL HEALTH INSIDE HIS BODY.I FEEL THAT YOU OWE ME AN APOLIGE, AND ANY FOR HIS MEDICAL BILLS. I AM RETIRER AND LIVE ON SOCIAL SECURTIY. PLEASE IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, LET ME KNOW SOON. PLEASE E-MAIL ME AT THIS ADDRESS [address removed] , PLEASE GIVE ME SOME NOTE THAT YOU UNDERSTAND THIS BAD STATE OF MY DOGS HEALTH. AND ANY ,SUGGESSTIONS TO GET HIM HEALTHY. I AM SORRY FOR THE MISS SPELLINGS , I AM NOT VERY GOOD ON THE COMPUTER. THANK YOU D. NEWTON.
I nor does this blog have any affiliation with Vetsulin or Intervet. That is only a press release that was posted. If you have any issues with the product Vetsulin, please direct your comments to Intervet.
With that being said I am sorry to hear about your Pug. Diabetes like any disorder can cause many health issues and problems. Even though as owners we try to provide the best care. Some times that isn’t enough.
Please share what food you are feeding your dog. How much your pug weighs. Exercise regiment. Insulin amount and how often it is given.
I switched my dog from Insulin to Novolin N but I was not told by my vet to change the needles. I read on this site that you need to change the needles. I was using the U40 syringes with the vetsulin. My dog had a gran mal seizure and we decided to have him go to sleep as he was suffering from a collapsing traeche. He was 14 years old and dianosed about 14 months ago and had lost his sight also because of it.
Thank you