Quick Answer: Both Prozinc and Caninsulin pet's insulins must be kept refrigerated between 2°C - 8°C before opening. Once opened, Caninsulin can stay unrefrigerated for up to 42 days (below 25°C) while Prozinc insulin should be returned to the fridge.
Insulin therapy is the main treatment for diabetic dogs and cats in the UK, complemented by specific diets and a robust exercise routine. Insulin is a hormone that reduces blood sugar levels and helps convert it to energy, which is crucial for your diabetic pet's health.
If your beloved pet has recently been diagnosed with diabetes, the vet would likely have advised you to keep its insulin refrigerated. Indeed, all insulins for dogs and cats, including common brands like Prozinc and Caninsulin, are sensitive medications that require particular storage conditions.
Discover here how to store your pet's insulin correctly at home to ensure it works as effectively as possible.
Why Should You Refrigerate Your Dog's and Cat's Insulin?
Both human and animal insulins are quite similar, although the types used for pets generally act more slowly and last longer. No matter if it's for humans, dogs, cats, or other pets, all insulin needs to be refrigerated. Insulin, a biological drug derived from living sources, is extremely sensitive to temperature, light, and storage conditions. If it's not stored correctly, your pet's insulin could quickly spoil and become ineffective, which could pose significant health risk for you beloved dogs and cats.
There's a variety of veterinary insulins available depending on the specific needs of each pet, including both veterinary and human insulins. The most commonly used insulins for cats and dogs in the UK are Prozinc and Caninsulin, though other types might also be prescribed for your furry companions.
Each brand of insulin comes with its own specific storage instructions, so it's crucial to read and follow these guidelines before use.
How Long Can Your Pet's Insulin Be out of the Fridge?
It's crucial to store your pet's insulin in the fridge to maintain its effectiveness before use, but there might be times when it's out of the fridge temporarily.
Generally, most types of insulin used for pets can be kept at room temperature (below 25°C) for a few days or weeks, although this can vary depending on the specific brand and formulation. Prozinc insulin, for example, is very sensitive to temperatures and should be kept refrigerated at all times.
During this time stored unrefrigerated, your dog or cat's insulin should never be exposed to temperatures above 25°C. Even brief exposure to heat above this safe threshold could deteriorate the medicine.
If you're living in or travelling to hot climate, you should carry your pet's insulin in a dedicated insulin cooling case, especially during hot summer days.
Prozinc Insulin Storage
Prozinc is probably the most prescribed veterinary insulin for cats and dogs in the UK. It's a long-acting type of insulin derived from human insulin with a duration of action of 10 to 14 hours.
According to its manufacturer, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc, protamine zinc recombinant human insulin (Prozinc) must be stored in the refrigerator at 2°C - 8°C.
Freezing temperatures can damage your dog's insulin. Do not place Prozinc vials near the freezer compartment when stored in the fridge.
How long can Prozinc insulin be left out of the fridge?
Prozinc is one of the most unstable insulins. While most veterinary and human insulins can be left out of the fridge for about a month without going bad, Prozinc must be refrigerated at all times.
It's ok if a vial of Prozinc is left unrefrigerated for short periods of time. However, after a few hours (24 at the most), it starts losing effectiveness and isn't safe for use.
Dog or cat owners traveling with their diabetic furry friend must carry Prozinc vials in travel coolers, like the ones from 4AllFamily, now available in the UK!
What is Prozinc insulin shelf life?
According to the manufacturer, "Prozinc carries a two-year shelf life from the date of manufacture." The expiration date is labeled both on the vial and the carton box. Always check it before use. Past the expiration date, Prozinc starts losing efficiency.
Injecting your dog or cat with expired insulin can lead to severe consequences, including prolonged high blood glucose, severe hyperglycemia, coma, and death in the worth cases.
Irrespective of its expiration date, Prozinc veterinary insulin is safe for use within 60 days after opening. We recommend dog and cat owners write down the vial's opening date to avoid confusion.
Caninsulin Storage
Caninsulin is a intermediate veterinary insulin, effective for about 8-10 hours, and is used for managing diabetes in both dogs and cats. It's a water-based solution derived from purified pig insulin.
Available in both vials for use with U-40 syringes and as a more convenient auto-injectable pen known as VetPen, Caninsulin requires careful storage and handling too.
Before its first use and between doses, Caninsulin vials and cartridges should be kept chilled between 2°C and 8°C.
Once opened, they can be stored out of the fridge, at a controlled room temperature below 25°C for up to 42 days. If you're living in or travelling to hot climate where the temperature gets above 25°C, we recommend carrying Caninsulin vials and pens in a dedicated insulin cooling case.
We'd Love to Hear Your Thoughts!
We'd love to hear your experiences and tips regarding managing your pet's diabetes with Prozinc and Caninsulin. Feel free to share your stories in the comments, or drop us any questions you might have. Your insights could be incredibly helpful to other pet owners navigating similar challenges.
