What is the typical starting dosing interval for insulin when starting treatment for canine diabetes mellitus?

• A. Every 24 hours
• B. Every 12 hours
• C. Every 6 hours
• D. Every 48 hours

Answer: (B)

Starting insulin for canine diabetes mellitus is usually done as a twice-daily regimen with about 12-hour spacing. This timing matches how common veterinary insulins behave in dogs, providing steady insulin levels over the day and helping to keep blood glucose from swinging too high after meals or dropping too low between meals. Giving injections every 24 hours would leave gaps where glucose rises, while every 6 hours is more injections than necessary for most regimens and increases hypoglycemia risk without added benefit. A 12-hour interval balances effective coverage with safety, and is adjusted over time based on rechecks and monitoring.