Protamine

What is protamine?

Protamine is a basic protein obtained from fish sperm. It has the property of binding to insulin and thus forming a stable suspension. This suspension is called protamine zinc insulin (PZI) and has a longer duration of action than pure insulin. This means that PZI needs to be injected less frequently than other insulin preparations.

Protamine Zinc Insulin was originally developed for people with diabetes, but it turned out that it is also suitable for cats and dogs. Since cats and dogs have a similar insulin to humans, they can use a human insulin that is produced using recombinant DNA technology. This human insulin is combined with protamine and zinc to produce ProZinc®.

How does protamine work?

Protamine slows the release of insulin from the injection site into the bloodstream. This results in a more consistent and longer-lasting reduction in blood glucose levels. This helps to alleviate the symptoms of diabetes mellitus, such as:

• Frequent drinking and urination
• Weight loss despite a good appetite
• Weakness and fatigue
• Infections and poor wound healing
• Vomiting and diarrhea

Protamine does not work on its own, but in combination with an adapted diet and a regular daily routine. It is important that you give your cat or dog the right amount of ProZinc® at the right time and check the blood sugar level regularly.

What are the benefits of protamine?

Protamine has several benefits as an ingredient in a veterinary medicine for diabetic cats and dogs:

• It prolongs the effect of insulin, reducing the number of daily injections. Most cats and dogs only need two injections per day, 12 hours apart.
• It lowers the blood sugar level evenly and thus avoids strong fluctuations that can lead to low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) or high blood sugar (hyperglycemia).
• It improves the quality of life of cats and dogs with diabetes mellitus by helping them to resume their normal activities.

What are the disadvantages of protamine?

Protamine also has some disadvantages as an ingredient in a veterinary medicine for diabetic cats and dogs:

• It can cause allergic reactions, both in the animals and in the people giving them the medication. Symptoms may include skin rash, itching, swelling or breathing difficulties. In this case, you should consult a vet immediately.
• An overdose of insulin can occur if the dose is too high or the food intake is too low. Symptoms may include hunger, tremors, weakness, disorientation or unconsciousness. In this case, you should immediately give your cat or dog a glucose-containing solution or gel and contact a vet.
• It can lead to remission of diabetes mellitus when the pancreas starts producing its own insulin again. The symptoms may be a reduced need for insulin or hypoglycemia. In this case, you should reduce the insulin dose or stop treatment after consulting a vet.

How do you use Protamine correctly?

Protamine is a component of ProZinc®, which is available as an injection suspension for dogs. You should only use ProZinc® as directed by your vet and follow these steps:

• Shake the bottle well before each use until the suspension is uniformly cloudy and white.
• Draw up the required amount of ProZinc® with a U-40 syringe. Do not use any other syringes as this can lead to incorrect dosing.
• Inject ProZinc® under the skin in the area of the neck or shoulder blades. Change the injection site regularly to avoid skin irritation.
• Administer ProZinc® twice daily, 12 hours apart, preferably just before or after feeding. Keep to a fixed schedule to avoid fluctuations in blood sugar levels.
• Check your dog's blood glucose level regularly with a blood glucose meter or urine strip. Adjust the insulin dose as needed, in consultation with your vet.