Prozinc vs Vetsulin

When your dog is diabetic,  you have to carefully decide which insulin you are going to use. It’s a matter of the dog’s health. As the use of insulin goes throughout your dog’s life, you must choose wisely. Prozinc and vetsulin are two diabetic insulins and we will review that when it’s prozinc vs vetsulin,  which one to choose.

Before diving deep let us tell you

Why Insulin is important?

In Diabetes, the body doesn’t produce enough insulin to break down glucose. As result,  the glucose level rise in the bloodstream causing serious complications and even fatality. This condition is incurable. However,  it can be managed by injecting insulin into the body. Insulin is injected once or twice daily according to the pet’s diabetic condition.

On what basis insulin is chosen?

Before divulging in prozinc vs vetsulin battle, it is vital to know that on what basis we choose insulin. Well,  there is no right or wrong when it comes to insulin. We choose it depending on the need of our dog. Some insulins are quicker than others. Some absorb quickly while others may take time to dissolve in the bloodstream.

Since every individual diabetic dog is different,  you will choose insulin based on his individual needs.

Know that insulins are chosen based on

• The time they take to get absorbed in the bloodstream.
• How quickly they start working.
• Time duration for which the insulin stays at its maximum effect.
• For how much longer period the insulin stays in the body
• Overall, it is how much effective to pet.

Based on this, there are

• Rapid-acting insulins that dissolve within 15 min of injecting.
• Short-acting insulins that dissolve within 30 minutes of injecting.
• Intermediate action insulins which keep the glucose level at the normal range for 12 hours.
• Long-acting insulin which stays in the blood for 24 hours.
• Combination insulin that has a combo of any of short,  rapid, or long with intermediate insulin.

Prozinc vs Vetsulin

Now we will see how prozinc or vetsulin are different and why we give priority to one over the other.

Difference between prozinc and vetsulin

We have provided a detailed summary of the difference under the prozinc vs vetsulin heading. So here is a summary chart that will help you to determine which one to choose.

Prozinc

Prozinc is FDA-approved insulin that can be given to dogs to keep their glucose levels normal. This insulin is very identical to human insulin and it usually requires one dose per day. Prozinc is considered safe for dogs and must be given daily at regular intervals and at the same time.

The manufacturers claim that after using pronzinc above 80% of dogs showed noticeable improvement.  Especially in decreased urination and thirst which are mostly the first symptoms of diabetes. The recommended dosage of prozinc for dogs is 0.3IU/ per kg of dog.

Side effects of prozinc

Prozinc can cause

• Lethargy
• Vomiting
• Seizures
• Hypoglycemia
• Diarrhea (read diabetic dog with diarrhea)
• Shivering

Prozinc can also cause hypoglycemia in dogs.  This is a condition in which blood glucose levels can become dangerously low. So it’s important to monitor the dose. (Read our articleglucose level 500) .Also, it’s important to monitor glucose levels regularly as giving prozinc during hypoglycemia can be fatal to dogs.

Vetsulin

Vetsulin is also FDA-approved insulin and is given one dose daily to dogs. It comes both in syringe and pen form which makes it easy to use. Vetsulin is effective as it starts working early in the bloodstream. This insulin is made specifically for dogs and is considered more reliable.

The initial dose recommended for dogs is 0.5 IU/ per kg. The dose can be given twice a day according to the dog’s condition.

Side effects of vetsulin

Vetsulin is not recommended for pets having allergies to pork products.

• Pets with decreased appetite or having severe ketoacidosis should not be given vetsulin unless their condition is stable.
• It may cause hypoglycemia in dogs.
• Blindness
• Excessive thirst and urination
• Vetsulin must be given when prescribed only.

Prozinc vs vetsulin

Now is a time to choose between vetsulin or prozinc.

• Well, Vetsulin has faced some bad reputation and the whole insulin was lifted out from market because of side-effects. Vetsulin is said to have unstable results. Many dogs went blind, experienced organ failures, and got seizures. Others got side effects like excessive thirst and urination. Insulin is supposed to stop all this because these are diabetic symptoms.
• Many people, however, claim that vetsulin has done wonders on their pets. Also,  according to vetsulin manufacturers,  most dogs showed improvement within days.  While prozinc on the other hand took 2-3 months to prove itself effective for dogs.
• Both the insulins are effective for up to 12 hours. However vetsulin acts fast as compared to prozinc whereas prozinc stays longer in blood than vetsulin.

But,

• Many users advocated prozinc as a better option for dogs. As it is long-lasting and gentle on pets. Also, prozinc has a good reputation amongst users. It reduces symptoms of diabetes and doesn’t pose any side effects as compared to vetsulin.
• Both the insulins are not advised to be given during the episode of hypoglycemia as a further decrease in glucose level can cause the death of the pet.

Switching from Prozinc to Vetsulin

Vetsulin is comparatively faster acting than prozinc but the peak period wears off quickly than prozinc. Prozinc on the other hand is considered more gentle and long-lasting than vetsulin. The glucose curve shows more stability while your dog is on prozinc.

If your dog is doing fine then we suggest switching from prozinc to vetsulin may not be a wise choice. But many owners still think as vetsulin is cheaper than prozinc and also FDA-approved again,  so they might want to use it for their dogs.

In case you switch your dog to vetsulin, you need to look out for the following factors

• While transitioning to vetsulin, you need to decrease the dose of prozinc by 25%. Your dog’s body needs to adjust and also vetsulin is harsher on pets. Carefully monitor your dog’s condition while jumping from one insulin to another.
• Based on how your dog reacted to vetsulin, you can increase or decrease the dose. For example, if the dog experienced hypoglycemia,  decrease the dose, and if the glucose level is still high increase the dose by 10%.
• Mostly within a week of giving vetsulin, along with maintaining a glucose chart,  you will be able to adjust the dose for your dog.
• If your dog was not on any insulin before vetsulin, you can start directly from the recommended dose.
• Also, when you are switching from one dose to two doses of vetsulin,  decrease the amount by 25%. For example, break down 20 IU of vetsulin once daily into 15 IU vetsulin twice daily.

Which is the best insulin for dogs?

As we have stated earlier,  there are no rights or wrongs in insulin. It depends on the diabetic condition of every individual dog. Some dogs were fine with vetsulin,  while others did great with prozinc.

Some of the other insulin products available for dogs are

• Lente
• Glargine
• PZI
• NPH
• detemir

Prozinc pill for dogs

Prozinc comes as an injectable suspension. Users have asked questions if prozinc is available in pill form also. No!  There is no prozinc tablet. By prozinc tablet, they mean a suspension that mostly comes in 40 UI bottles.

Is vetsulin the same as prozinc?

They are the same and different in many ways. Vetsulin and Prozinc,  both are FDA-approved insulin for dogs.  Both reduce glucose levels and help manage diabetes. However, there are differences too.