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). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.672, Insulin, NPH monograph spanning p.670-673; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, and carries this exact dose under the matching species heading. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207. 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). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.672, Insulin, NPH monograph spanning p.670-673; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, and carries this exact dose under the matching species heading. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |
Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.
| Dose (iu/kg) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.25–0.5 | SC | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part A (Canine and Feline)p.226 | initially 0.25-0.5 IU/kg (dogs >25 kg) or 0.5-1 IU/kg (dogs <25 kg) of lente insulin s.c. q12h. Adjust |
| 0.5–1 | SC | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part A (Canine and Feline)p.226 | initially 0.25-0.5 IU/kg (dogs >25 kg) or 0.5-1 IU/kg (dogs <25 kg) of lente insulin s.c. q12h. Adjust dose and frequency of administration by |
| 0.2 | IM | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part A (Canine and Feline)p.226 | 0.2 IU/kg soluble insulin i.m. initially followed by 0.1 IU/kg i.m. q1h. Alternatively, i.v. infusi |
| 0.1 | IM | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part A (Canine and Feline) |
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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.
| 0.2 IU/kg soluble insulin i.m. initially followed by 0.1 IU/kg i.m. q1h. Alternatively, i.v. infusions may be given at 0.025-0.06 IU/kg/h of |
| 0.5 | IV | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part A (Canine and Feline)p.226 | ty (not in hypoadrenocorticism): give a bolus of 0.5 IU/kg of soluble insulin i.v. followed by 2-3 g of dextrose/unit of insulin. Half the |
Figures are transcribed from the cited page or table of each held edition and are shown for reference only. They are not dose recommendations, they do not feed the calculator, and none has been reviewed by a veterinarian.