Electrolyte disorder after Insulin in dogs

40 reports to the FDA describe electrolyte disorder in dogs given Insulin. That is 0.5% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

40Reports

68%Marked serious

13%Recovered

28%Died or euthanised

65 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

1 3.6%

1–2 days

0 0.0%

3–7 days

0 0.0%

1–4 weeks

6 21%

Over a month

21 75%

How the animals did

Recovered

3 7.5%

Recovered with lasting effects

2 5.0%

Still unwell when reported

5 13%

Euthanised

11 28%

Not known

19 48%

Problems reported at the same time

22 55%

20 50%

15 38%

14 35%

Low sodium-potassium ratio (na:k ratio)

14 35%

Hyperglycaemia

13 33%

Liver problems

13 33%

Kidney problems

12 30%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Insulin treats diabetes.

Questions owners ask

Can Insulin cause electrolyte disorder in dogs?: 40 reports link the two, but a report alone does not prove the medicine was the cause: other illnesses, other medicines or coincidence can be involved. Your vet can judge it for your animal.
How soon after a dose was it reported?: In half of the reports with dates, it started within 65 days of the first dose.
What should I do?: Don't give another dose until you've spoken to your vet, and keep the packaging so you can tell them the product and dose. Your vet can also report it to the FDA (or you can, through the manufacturer or FDA form 1932a).

Electrolyte disorder with similar medicines

Electrolyte disorder after Trilostane (Vetoryl) 451 reports · 3.8% of its reports

All reported side effects of Insulin in dogs · Medicines most reported with electrolyte disorder