Skip to main content

Articles

Cats + Medications & Supplements

  • Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive, degenerative disease of the joints. This handout explains and outlines the use of disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs (DMOADs) in treating cats with OA. DMOADs slow or change how OA progresses. This handout explains the common DMOADs and how they are used in OA treatment.

  • Insulin is injected under the skin to treat diabetes, ketoacidosis, and high potassium levels. Side effects may include low or high blood sugar levels, insulin resistance, and skin allergic reactions to the injections. Do not use in pets who are having an episode of low blood sugar and do not use pork insulins in pets with a pork allergy.

  • Detemir insulin is an injectable medication used in cats and dogs. It is used to lower blood sugar level and for long term maintenance therapy of diabetes mellitus. This medication is used “off label” or “extra-label”. Monitor closely for signs of low blood sugar.

  • Insulin glargine is an injectable medication used in cats, dogs, ferrets, guinea pigs, and horses with diabetes mellitus. It is used to lower blood sugar levels and for long-term maintenance therapy of diabetes mellitus. This medication is used off label (extra label) in pets.

  • Lente (porcine zinc) insulin (brand names Vetsulin, Vetpen) is an injectable medication approved for use in cats and dogs with diabetes mellitus. It is used to lower blood sugar levels and for long-term maintenance therapy of diabetes mellitus. This medication may be used off label (extra label) in ferrets.

  • NPH (Neutral Protamine Hagedron) insulin is an injectable medication used in cats, dogs, birds, ferrets, and horses with diabetes mellitus. It is used to lower blood sugar levels and for long-term maintenance therapy of diabetes mellitus. This medication is used off label (extra label).

  • Protamine zinc (PZI) insulin (brand name ProZinc) is an injectable medication used to lower blood sugar levels and for long-term maintenance therapy of diabetes mellitus in dogs and cats. This medication may be used off label (extra label) in other species.

  • Interferon alfa (brand names: Roferon®-A, Intron®-A) is used off label to treat viral diseases in cats and dogs, such as feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) or papillomatosis. This medication is experimental in animals and studies are limited regarding it effectiveness and other factors. It is given by mouth or injection.

  • Interferon alfa, human recombinant, is an immunomodulator used to treat virus-induced diseases in cats and dogs. It is used for both its anti-viral and immunomodulatory effects. Interferon alfa, human recombinant, comes in an injectable form that may also be given orally.

  • Interferon omega, feline origin, is an immunomodulator used to treat virus-induced diseases in cats and dogs. It is used for both its anti-viral and immunomodulatory effects. Interferon omega, feline origin, comes in an injectable form that may also be given orally.