of dogs are diagnosed with diabetes at some point in their lives. Most dogs have Type 1 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes, which is the most common form of human diabetes, is rare in dogs. When veterinarians treat either Type 1 or Type 2 canine diabetes, the standard treatment is insulin and dietary changes.<\/span><\/p>\nInsulin is a natural hormone that regulates the body\u2019s uptake, use, and storage of vital nutrients, particularly carbohydrates, fats, and sugars. Most importantly, insulin regulates blood sugar levels in the body. Dogs with diabetes are unable to remove blood sugar, which then damages blood vessels and, eventually, major organs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nUnlike in people, veterinarians only use longer-acting insulins in dogs to provide continuous blood sugar control throughout the day and after meals. They also only use rapid-acting or regular insulin when treating dogs hospitalized for high blood sugar (hyperglycemia).<\/span><\/p>\nLonger-acting insulins are classified as either intermediate-acting insulins or long-acting insulins. From a caregiver\u2019s perspective, the difference is between giving two injections daily and one. Although giving one injection is more convenient, veterinarians most commonly start with one of two intermediate-acting insulins: porcine insulin or NPH insulin.<\/span><\/p>\nThe most common starting treatment is porcine insulin (pork lente insulin) harvested from pigs. Though no longer FDA-approved for use in people in the USA, it\u2019s an insulin of choice in dogs because it is identical to canine insulin.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nThe second most common choice is NPH insulin, a human insulin. NPH stands for \u201cNeutral Protamine Hagedorn.\u201d Also called isophane insulin, it is a drug of choice at the start of canine diabetes treatment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nCaregivers will need to give two subcutaneous injections daily. Doses will vary depending on the dog\u2019s weight and responsiveness to the medicine. At the start of treatment, doses will change regularly. Because of changes in the dog\u2019s weight, health, and activity level, caregivers can expect doses to change even after the most effective dose is reached.<\/span><\/p>\n
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