Before you start your cat on PROZINC
Before starting your cat on PROZINC, be sure to talk to your veterinarian about:
- The signs of diabetes you have observed (for example, increased thirst and urination).
- The importance of proper insulin storage and administration techniques.
- The importance of maintaining the cat under the same conditions for diet, exercise, environment, etc.
- The importance of follow-up visits for testing to determine if dose adjustments of PROZINC insulin are necessary.
Also, be sure to tell your veterinarian:
- Any side effects your cat has had when receiving insulin or any diabetes product.
- Any medical problems or allergies that your cat has now or has had in the past.
- All medications that you are giving your cat or plan to give your cat, including those you can get without a prescription.
- If your cat is pregnant or nursing.
- If you plan to breed your cat.
Possible side effects of PROZINC
PROZINC insulin, like other drugs, may cause some side effects. Serious side effects can occur with or without warning. Please contact your veterinarian immediately if you think your cat has a medical problem or side effect from PROZINC therapy. Possible side effects include low blood glucose (hypoglycemia), insulin antagonism/resistance, rapid insulin metabolism, insulin-induced hyperglycemia (Somogyi effect), and local or systemic reactions.
The most common insulin-related side effect is hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia can be fatal without prompt treatment.
Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose)
In cats, low blood glucose, also called hypoglycemia, is defined by the FDA as a blood glucose concentration less than 50 mg/dL. Your veterinarian may begin to have safety concerns when your cat's blood glucose level drops to 80 mg/dL. Hypoglycemia is a dangerous and potentially life-threatening condition that can occur if your cat has too much insulin, too little food, or much more exercise than usual.
The use of PROZINC even at established doses has been associated with hypoglycemia.
How to avoid hypoglycemia
Here are the best ways to help your cat avoid hypoglycemia:
- Make sure to give your cat the correct dose of PROZINC on a consistent schedule. It may be helpful to have one person in the household responsible for giving the injections.
- If you are not sure the dose was completely delivered, it is important to not give another dose. It is better to err on the side of underdosing your cat with insulin, not overdosing. As always, talk with your veterinarian if you have any concerns or questions.
- Maintain a regular schedule for feedings, and provide the amount of food recommended by your veterinarian.
- Do not give your cat any prescription or over-the-counter medications, including vitamins or supplements, without your veterinarian's supervision.
- Even after your cat is stabilized, regular visits to your veterinarian are important to monitor disease progress and to make dosing adjustments as necessary.
How to identify hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia requires your immediate attention, so it's important to recognize the signs, including:
- Weakness
- Depression
- Staggering or walking strangely
- Unusual behavior
- Muscle twitching
- Seizure
- Coma
What to do about hypoglycemia
If you suspect your cat has hypoglycemia, don't panic. You can help your cat by following these steps.
- If your cat isn't conscious, rub a tablespoon of corn syrup or honey on your cat's gums and contact your veterinarian immediately.
- If your cat remains unconscious or is having a seizure, veterinary care is required. Take your cat to the veterinarian immediately.
- If your cat is conscious, or when your cat regains consciousness and is able to swallow, hand feed corn syrup or honey until your cat is alert enough to eat normal food.
- As soon as your cat is alert enough to eat, feed the next scheduled meal instead of waiting for mealtime, and call your veterinarian for advice.
Remember that hypoglycemia is a dangerous condition that can't wait. It is a medical emergency that requires you to take action immediately.
Hyperglycemia (high blood glucose)
In cats, high blood glucose, also called hyperglycemia, is defined as a blood glucose concentration higher than 200-300 mg/dL. Even after your cat's blood glucose has been stabilized with treatment, it may become elevated again from time to time. This can happen due to stress, illness or injury, or it may be caused by a departure from your normal routine — for example, if your cat eats something unusual, or if you miss a PROZINC injection.
How to avoid hyperglycemia
The best way to help your cat avoid hyperglycemia is by sticking to your routine. It's especially important to give PROZINC injections on time, and to ensure your cat's diet remains consistent from day to day. Anything you can do to keep your cat out of stressful situations will also help, because diabetic cats' glucose levels can spike during stress.
How to identify hyperglycemia
Signs of hyperglycemia were probably present at the time your cat was diagnosed with diabetes, so you may recognize the same signs if your cat's blood glucose becomes elevated again. These include:
- Increased thirst demonstrated by drinking more water than usual.
- Urinating more than usual. If you use clumping litter, you may notice more clumps or larger clumps than you normally see in the litter box.
- Increased appetite demonstrated by eating more food than usual.
- Weight loss, even with increased food intake.
- Weakness in the back legs. You may notice your cat's stance is different.
- Acting lethargic or sluggish.
What to do about hyperglycemia
If you suspect your cat has hyperglycemia, contact your veterinarian for instructions. You may be advised to bring your cat to the veterinary clinic for a blood glucose check so your veterinarian can determine what treatment, if any, your cat needs.
When NOT to give your cat PROZINC
Do not administer the prescribed dose of PROZINC insulin if your cat:
- Is experiencing an episode of low blood glucose (hypoglycemia). Common causes for hypoglycemia include excessive doses of insulin, failure to eat, strenuous exercise, changes in the body's need for insulin, diabetes-inducing disease or drug effects.
- Is not eating or is vomiting.
- Is sensitive to protamine zinc recombinant human insulin or any other ingredients in PROZINC product.
PROZINC with other medications
PROZINC insulin can be given with other medications, but the dose may need to be adjusted due to the medication resulting in either increased or decreased insulin requirements. Tell your veterinarian about all medications you have given your cat in the past, and any medications that you are planning to give with PROZINC insulin. This should include medications that you can get without a prescription. Your veterinarian may want to ensure that all of your cat's medications can be given together safely.
Accidental overdose
If you inject more than the prescribed amount of PROZINC insulin, contact your veterinarian immediately and, if your veterinarian is not available, seek other veterinary advice at once.
Missed doses
If your cat received less than the prescribed dose or you miss an injection, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible for advice on your cat's next dose. If you cannot reach your veterinarian and your cat is eating and acting normally, give the usual dose at the next regularly scheduled injection time.
Sharing PROZINC
As with all prescribed medications, PROZINC insulin should only be given to the cat for whom it is prescribed and for the condition for which it is prescribed.
Monitoring cats on PROZINC
It is important to periodically discuss your cat's response to PROZINC insulin at regular checkups that may include blood glucose monitoring. Your veterinarian will best determine if your cat is responding as expected and should continue receiving PROZINC insulin.
User safety warning
For use in cats only. Keep out of the reach of children. Avoid contact with eyes. In case of contact, immediately flush eyes with running water for at least 15 minutes. Accidental injection may cause hypoglycemia. In case of accidental injection, seek medical attention immediately. Exposure to product may induce a local or systemic allergic reaction in sensitized individuals.
Animal safety
Observe for signs of hypoglycemia. Use of PROZINC insulin, even at established doses, has been associated with hypoglycemia. A cat with signs of hypoglycemia should be treated immediately (click here for instructions). Insulin should be temporarily withheld and, if indicated, the dosage adjusted.
Any change in insulin should be made cautiously and only under a veterinarian's supervision. Changes in insulin strength, manufacturer, type, species (human, animal) or method of manufacture (rDNA versus animal-source insulin) may result in the need for a change in dosage.
If your cat is difficult to regulate, appropriate diagnostic tests should be performed to rule out other health conditions.
Kittens and pregnant or nursing cats
The safety and effectiveness of PROZINC insulin in kittens and in breeding, pregnant and lactating cats has not been evaluated.