What is Insulin Lispro used for?

Insulin Lispro is indicated for: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).

Which species have cited Insulin Lispro dosing data?

Insulin Lispro dosing in the ExoticRx formulary covers 2 species: Cat (Domestic), Dog (Domestic).

Is Insulin Lispro a controlled substance?

Insulin Lispro is not federally scheduled in the US. Controlled-drug status differs by country — verify your local rules.

What is the constant rate infusion (CRI) dose for Insulin Lispro?

Insulin Lispro has 2 CRI dose rules in the ExoticRx formulary, covering Cat (Domestic), Dog (Domestic). See the CRI section on this page for routes, dose ranges, and source citations.

Insulin Lispro

US brand names:Humalog

Calculate dosage

Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Insulin Lispro is dosed at 0.05–0.1 IU/kg/hr IV Continuous IV infusion (CRI) in cats, per Malerba E, Mazzarino M, Baldo FD, et al. Use of lispro insulin for treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis in cats. J Feline Med Surg. 2019;21(2):115-123. doi:10.1177/1098612x18761696; Anderson JD, Rondeau DA, Hess RS. Lispro insulin and electrolyte supplementation for treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis in cats. J Vet Intern Med. 2019;33(4):1593-1601. doi:10.1111/jvim.15518 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.695 (2026-08-01).. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Drug Class

Endocrine

Routes

SCIV

Indications

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)

Mechanism of Action

Rapid-acting insulin analogue with reversed proline-lysine sequence at B28-B29, reducing self-association and enabling faster absorption.

Side effects & warnings

Rapid onset — hypoglycemia risk if food not available. Used for DKA management or post-prandial glucose control. Short duration of action.

Species with Insulin Lispro dosing data (2 dose rules)

Cat (Domestic)Dog (Domestic)

Species references:All Cat (Domestic) drugs All Dog (Domestic) drugs

Evidence levels across 2 dose rules

Moderate×2

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

Backed by 2 published sources

· Malerba E, Mazzarino M, Baldo FD, et al. Use of lispro insulin for treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis in cats. J Feline Med Surg. 2019;21(2):115-123. doi:10.1177/1098612x18761696; Anderson JD, Rondeau DA, Hess RS. Lispro insulin and electrolyte supplementation for treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis in cats. J Vet Intern Med. 2019;33(4):1593-1601. doi:10.1111/jvim.15518 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.695 (2026-08-01).
· Sears KW, Drobatz KJ, Hess RS. Use of lispro insulin for treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis in dogs. J Vet Emerg Crit Care. 2012;22(2):211-218. doi:10.1111/j.1476-4431.2012.00719.x; Nelson RW. Diabetic ketoacidosis. In: Feldman E, Nelson R, Reusch C, Scott-Moncrieff J, eds. Canine and Feline Endocrinology. 4th ed. Elsevier; 2015:315-347. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.694 (2026-08-01).

Constant rate infusion (CRI)

Insulin Lispro CRI dose rules from the ExoticRx formulary. Verify against current literature before clinical use; CRI rates differ from bolus dosing and route, dilution, and monitoring matter. Sign in for the complete per-species CRI protocol set.

Species	Route	Rate	Indication	Evidence	Source
Cat (Domestic)	IV	0.05–0.1 IU/kg/hrContinuous IV infusion (CRI)	Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)	Moderate	Malerba E, Mazzarino M, Baldo FD, et al. Use of lispro insulin for treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis in cats. J Feline Med Surg. 2019;21(2):115-123. doi:10.1177/1098612x18761696; Anderson JD, Rondeau DA, Hess RS. Lispro insulin and electrolyte supplementation for treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis in cats. J Vet Intern Med. 2019;33(4):1593-1601. doi:10.1111/jvim.15518 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.695 (2026-08-01).
Dog (Domestic)	IV	0.05–0.1 IU/kg/hrContinuous IV infusion (CRI)	Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)

Sample dosing (2 of 2 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 2 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.

Species	Route	Dose	Frequency	Evidence	Source
Cat (Domestic)	IV	0.05–0.1 IU/kg/hr	Continuous IV infusion (CRI)	Moderate	Malerba E, Mazzarino M, Baldo FD, et al. Use of lispro insulin for treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis in cats. J Feline Med Surg. 2019;21(2):115-123. doi:10.1177/1098612x18761696; Anderson JD, Rondeau DA, Hess RS. Lispro insulin and electrolyte supplementation for treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis in cats. J Vet Intern Med. 2019;33(4):1593-1601. doi:10.1111/jvim.15518 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.695 (2026-08-01).
Dog (Domestic)	IV	0.05–0.1 IU/kg/hr	Continuous IV infusion (CRI)	Moderate

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Calculate Dosage for Insulin Lispro

Cat (Domestic)IV
0.05–0.1 IU/kg/hrContinuous IV infusion (CRI)
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
ModerateMalerba E, Mazzarino M, Baldo FD, et al. Use of lispro insulin for treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis in cats. J Feline Med Surg. 2019;21(2):115-123. doi:10.1177/1098612x18761696; Anderson JD, Rondeau DA, Hess RS. Lispro insulin and electrolyte supplementation for treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis in cats. J Vet Intern Med. 2019;33(4):1593-1601. doi:10.1111/jvim.15518 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.695 (2026-08-01).
Dog (Domestic)IV
0.05–0.1 IU/kg/hrContinuous IV infusion (CRI)
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
ModerateSears KW, Drobatz KJ, Hess RS. Use of lispro insulin for treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis in dogs. J Vet Emerg Crit Care. 2012;22(2):211-218. doi:10.1111/j.1476-4431.2012.00719.x; Nelson RW. Diabetic ketoacidosis. In: Feldman E, Nelson R, Reusch C, Scott-Moncrieff J, eds. Canine and Feline Endocrinology. 4th ed. Elsevier; 2015:315-347. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.694 (2026-08-01).