Cat · Felis catus · typical adult weight 2.50–7.00 kg
Insulin, Protamine Zinc (PZI) is dosed at 0.2–0.7 IU/kg SC q12h in cats, per PROZINC (protamine zinc recombinant human insulin) 40 IU/mL, Package Insert for Cats, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, rev. 08/2019, NADA 141-297, DailyMed setid 8dbc0e47-8df9-4484-903b-70fdd26f7998: "The initial recommended PROZINC dose is 0.1 - 0.3 IU insulin/pound of body weight (0.2 - 0.7 IU/kg) every 12 hours." — Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed, Insulin, Protamine Zinc monograph, printed p.676, CATS: "(label dosage; FDA-approved): 0.2 – 0.7 units/kg SC every 12 hours, given concurrently with or right after a meal". Insulin, Protamine Zinc (PZI) is used in cats for Diabetes mellitus. Routes documented in cats: SC. A typical adult cat weighs 2.50–7.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Insulin, Protamine Zinc (PZI) in cats, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: ProZinc
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC | 0.2–0.7 IU/kg | q12h | Give with or right after a meal. Long-term; adjust on clinical signs and glucose curves. | Diabetes mellitus |
| PROZINC (protamine zinc recombinant human insulin) 40 IU/mL, Package Insert for Cats, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, rev. 08/2019, NADA 141-297, DailyMed setid 8dbc0e47-8df9-4484-903b-70fdd26f7998: "The initial recommended PROZINC dose is 0.1 - 0.3 IU insulin/pound of body weight (0.2 - 0.7 IU/kg) every 12 hours." — Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed, Insulin, Protamine Zinc monograph, printed p.676, CATS: "(label dosage; FDA-approved): 0.2 – 0.7 units/kg SC every 12 hours, given concurrently with or right after a meal". |
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Recombinant human insulin in a protamine zinc suspension, giving slow absorption and a long duration of action. Lowers blood glucose by increasing glucose uptake in peripheral tissues, especially skeletal muscle and fat.
U-40 insulin: measure ONLY with U-40 syringes; any other syringe gives the wrong dose. Do not confuse PROTAMINE zinc insulin (PZI) with PORCINE zinc (lente) insulin. Contraindicated during hypoglycemia and in animals hypersensitive to human insulin. Not for patients presenting with ketoacidosis, anorexia, lethargy or vomiting: stabilise first with short-acting insulin. Dose obese patients on ideal body weight. Adverse effects: hypoglycemia, hypokalemia, Somogyi rebound, injection-site reactions.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for cats may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Insulin, Protamine Zinc (PZI) dose range in cats, with cited source references: SC 0.2–0.7 IU/kg q12h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Insulin, Protamine Zinc (PZI) in cats: SC.
Cited course lengths for Insulin, Protamine Zinc (PZI) in cats include: Give with or right after a meal. Long-term; adjust on clinical signs and glucose curves.. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Insulin, Protamine Zinc (PZI) is indicated in cats for: Diabetes mellitus.
These are general warnings for Insulin, Protamine Zinc (PZI) across species; consult the cat dosing table above for species-specific guidance. U-40 insulin: measure ONLY with U-40 syringes; any other syringe gives the wrong dose. Do not confuse PROTAMINE zinc insulin (PZI) with PORCINE zinc (lente) insulin. Contraindicated during hypoglycemia and in animals hypersensitive to human insulin. Not for patients presenting with ketoacidosis, anorexia, lethargy or vomiting: stabilise first with short-acting insulin. Dose obese patients on ideal body weight. Adverse effects: hypoglycemia, hypokalemia, Somogyi rebound, injection-site reactions.
Why a species-specific page? Insulin, Protamine Zinc (PZI) pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in cats — 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.