Diabetes mellitus is a common endocrinopathy seen in veterinary practice. The approach to long-term management of patients is multimodal and includes body weight optimization / weight control, exercise, preferably diets higher in fiber / lower in complex carbohydrates, and daily insulin administration.
There are a variety of insulin types available for use, and these types are typically categorized based on their absorption time / rapidity of effect and duration of effect (short-, intermediate-, and long-acting insulins).
Synthetic insulins are relatively newer options to consider when treating patients. They are modified forms of insulin and they are commonly used in humans due to their long-acting effect. Insulin glargine is one such insulin analog; its use has also been described in dogs and cats with diabetes mellitus.
Insulin detemir is another long-acting insulin analog used in humans. Though we know that insulin detemir is more potent than other forms of insulin in dogs, its clinical use and effects have not been well-described.
In this week's Evidence Based Update, the findings of a clinical trial studying the effects of insulin detemir in dogs with diabetes mellitus are discussed. Discussion includes:
View this Evidence Based Update - it's available for On Demand viewing (running time 11 mins; Approved for CE credit in New York and by the NJVMA, pending approval for CE credit by AAVSB RACE).
