Insulin Degludec for Diabetes Mellitus in Dogs & Cats

Veterinary specialists have begun using a new, long-acting insulin to manage diabetes mellitus in dogs and cats. Full drug information and a pet owner handout can be found at Plumbs.com (paid subscription required).

What is Insulin Degludec?

Insulin degludec is a basal insulin in humans that has a “peakless” effect on blood glucose that can be sustained for ≈24 hours. 

Pharmacology of Insulin degludec

In healthy dogs administered insulin degludec, the duration of effect was estimated to be ≈24 hours, and a peak insulin effect was not observed.^1,2 In healthy cats, a peak effect was noted at ≈4 to 6 hours, and the duration of effect was ≈10 to 11 hours.³ 

Contraindications of Insulin Degludec

Insulin degludec has no absolute contraindications except during episodes of hypoglycemia. If patients develop insulin resistance or hypersensitivity (local or otherwise), a change in type or species source (eg, human, bovine, porcine) of insulin is needed. 

Adverse Effects of Insulin Degludec

In diabetic dogs receiving insulin degludec, 11.5% of glucose measurements were considered hypoglycemic.¹ Clinical hypoglycemia has been rarely reported in dogs and cats treated with insulin degludec.^4,5

Additional Information 

Insulin degludec is available in 2 concentrations, but research to date in veterinary patients has only studied the U-100 formulation. It is crucial for patient safety to only use U-100 syringes when measuring and administering U-100 insulin.

A comprehensive look at how to manage diabetes mellitus in dogs and cats using insulin degludec is offered by the experts at Standards of Care (paid subscription only).