VetPen^®For Dogs

What is VetPen^®?

The Only Insulin Pen Exclusively for Pets

Designed specifically for use with Caninsulin^®, VetPen^® makes giving insulin injections to pets more convenient and accurate¹.

• Dosing is as easy as turning a dial
• Ergonomically designed for easy handling
• Multi-dose insulin cartridges
• Portable and easy to take on the go
• Minimises pet discomfort
• Especially helpful for pet owners with poor eyesight or unsteady hands

How to Use VetPen^®

Important dosage information

Doses of insulin are measured in units: Caninsulin is 40 IU/ml, meaning it contains 40 international units (IU) per millilitre (ml).

The VetPen is for use with 2.7ml Caninsulin cartridges as comes in two sizes: 8 IU and 16IU. Your vet will advise which size is better depending on the size of your dog and their insulin dose.

Your vet will prescribe Caninsulin^® for your dog

Follow your vet’s instructions to properly give Caninsulin^® to your dog. Your vet or vet nurse will:

• Determine the dosing and VetPen size for your dog
• Advise proper storage and handling
• Show how to prepare and prime VetPen
• Provide instructions on how to give the injection

When you feel comfortable you can do this correctly, your vet or vet nurse will provide you with everything you need to care for your dog at home.

1. Insert the cartridge
2. Attach the needle to the VetPen
3. Prime the VetPen – remove any air bubbles
4. Select the dose by dialling the dose selector
5. Inject the dose by pressing the release button
6. Remove the needle following injection

Important please note:

• You do not need to prime with every dose, just with the first use of the cartridge.
• Before dosing, always check there are enough units in the cartridge. If there are not enough units, change the cartridge before starting.

For best practice, we always recommend washing your hands before administration.

• Remove the cap from the VetPen.
• Unscrew the body of the VetPen from the cartridge holder.
• Check to ensure that the internal plunger is fully retracted. If the internal plunger is extended, rewind the internal plunger by holding the grey lower part of the pen body between the thumb and finger. Turn the pen body until the internal plunger is fully retracted.
• Carefully insert the cartridge into the cartridge holder with the metal cap of the cartridge at the top of the cartridge holder.
• Screw the cartridge holder onto the body of the VetPen ensuring you are firm but gentle.

VetPen needles are silicon-coated and designed to improve pet comfort.

• Carefully remove the paper tab from the outer needle.
• Carefully, attach the capped needle onto the end of the VetPen by turning it clockwise until tight.
• Gently invert the VetPen up and down ten times. It is important to do this before every injection to ensure the Caninsulin is correctly mixed and your dog therefore gets the correct dose.

Every time you load a new cartridge, it is important you remove any bubbles before the first injection to avoid injection of air an incorrect dosing. You only need to do this before first use of a cartridge.

• Ideally prepare the VetPen over the sink.
• Holding the VetPen vertically with the needle pointing up, remove the outer caps from the needle.
• Tap the VetPen gently with your finger to push any air bubbles to the top.
• Dial one unit on the dose selector by turning it clockwise.
• Push the release button, ensuring the dose selector is visible.
• Repeat the process until a steady stream of insulin is ejected from the tip of the needle. You may expect to eject as many as six to eight units of air before achieving this.
• Hold the VetPen horizontally to check that the cartridge is free of air bubbles, if not you need to repeat the above process until you’re bubble-free.

Please note: the cartridge contains two small beads to assist the mixing of insulin. These are not air bubbles.

• Ensure the arrow on your VetPen points to the start of the dose selector. Your VetPen is now ready for use.

Turn the dose selector clockwise until you reach your prescribed dose.

You may find it easier to use the dose selector and release button adaptors if, for example, you have unsteady hands or poor eyesight.

• The injection should be given under the skin, around the shoulder blade area with loose skin.
• Alternate sites with each dose, lifting the skin as shown in the demonstration video.
• Insert the needle under the skin horizontally.
• Press the release button and keep pressing and continue to hold the injection button firmly with your thumb until the dose selector arrow returns to the start line.
• Count to five then release the injection button.

Be sure to make a fuss of your dog. You could even give your pet a diabetes friendly treat. Providing positive reinforcement in this way helps to make the experience a positive one.

• Remove the needle by inserting it into the needle remover and unscrewing it.
• Press the blue tip on the needle remover to release and dispose of the used needle, carefully and safely into the sharps pot.

Changing the cartridge

• Unscrew the cartridge holder from the VetPen body and remove the cartridge.
• Rewind the internal plunger by holding the white lower part of the Pen.
• Turn the Pen body clockwise until the internal plunger is fully retracted.
• Please note that incorrect re-winding of the internal plunger can result in damage to the VetPen.
• Return to step 1 to load the next cartridge.

Before changing the insulin cartridge, always make sure that the VetPen needle has been removed to prevent accidental injury.

Injection tips for VetPen use

• Always prepare the VetPen away from your pet
• In the event of over-dialling, dispose of the insulin in the sink and re-dial the correct dose. Dialling back the dose selector may damage the VetPen and result in inaccurate dosing
• If only a partial dose is delivered, wait until the next dose and give your dog its usual dose. If you are in doubt, speak to your vet.

• If only a partial dose is delivered, do not attempt to re-dose. If in doubt speak to your vet.
• If insulin leaks out of the VetPen after injection check for small air bubbles. Do not attempt to re-dose. If you see a couple of drops after the injection, this is normal.
• If you over-dial, never wind back the dose selector.
• Do not re-cap or store the VetPen with the needle attached.

Find more information, FAQs and troubleshooting for VetPen. Read Now

Important Safety Information

Caninsulin^® is contraindicated during periods of hypoglycaemia. Keep out of reach of children. As with all insulin products, careful patient monitoring for hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose levels) and hyperglycaemia (high blood glucose levels) is essential to attain and maintain adequate blood glucose control and prevent associated complications. Overdosage can result in profound hypoglycaemia and death.

See package leaflet for full information regarding contraindications, warnings, and precautions.

User Safety Warning

For use in animals only. Keep out of the reach of children. Avoid contact with eyes. In case of contact, immediately flush eyes with copious amounts of water for at least 15 minutes. Accidental injection may cause clinical hypoglycaemia. In case of accidental injection, seek medical attention immediately. Exposure to the product may induce a local or systemic allergic reaction in sensitised individuals.