Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Insulin (NPH/Vetsulin) is dosed at 0.25–0.5 IU/kg SC q12h in dogs, per Behrend E, Holford A, Lathan P, Rucinsky R, Schulman R. 2018 AAHA Diabetes Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2018;54(1):1-21. doi:10.5326/jaaha-ms-6822 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.691 (2026-08-01).. Insulin (NPH/Vetsulin) is used in dogs for Diabetes mellitus. Routes documented in dogs: SC. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Insulin (NPH/Vetsulin) in dogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Vetsulin, ProZinc, Humulin N
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC | 0.25–0.5 IU/kg | q12h | Long-term (lifelong) | Diabetes mellitus | Strong | Behrend E, Holford A, Lathan P, Rucinsky R, Schulman R. 2018 AAHA Diabetes Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2018;54(1):1-21. doi:10.5326/jaaha-ms-6822 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.691 (2026-08-01). |
Need the exact dose for your patient?
These ranges are per kg. Enter your dog's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Facilitates cellular glucose uptake by binding insulin receptors, activating glucose transporters. Regulates carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism.
Hypoglycemia is the most dangerous adverse effect. Dose individually based on blood glucose curves. Vetsulin (porcine lente) for dogs, ProZinc (PZI) often preferred in cats. U-40 vs U-100 syringes — use correct syringe.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Insulin (NPH/Vetsulin) dose range in dogs, with cited source references: SC 0.25–0.5 IU/kg q12h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Insulin (NPH/Vetsulin) in dogs: SC.
Cited course lengths for Insulin (NPH/Vetsulin) in dogs include: Long-term (lifelong). Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Insulin (NPH/Vetsulin) is indicated in dogs for: Diabetes mellitus.
These are general warnings for Insulin (NPH/Vetsulin) across species; consult the dog dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Hypoglycemia is the most dangerous adverse effect. Dose individually based on blood glucose curves. Vetsulin (porcine lente) for dogs, ProZinc (PZI) often preferred in cats. U-40 vs U-100 syringes — use correct syringe.
Why a species-specific page? Insulin (NPH/Vetsulin) pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in dogs — the rules above are the citations specific to this species, not generic recommendations.
Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice.