Editing Bolus

[[Image:Novolin_R.jpg|150px|thumb|left|Novolin, a [[:Category:Short-acting|fast-acting]] insulin suitable for use as a bolus insulin.]]

This refers to the fast- or rapid-acting insulin diabetics use at mealtimes.  Doing a curve on anyone will indicate how blood glucose levels rise after eating.  This is called a [[post-prandial]] or post-meal spike; in humans, it commonly begins about 2 hours after food.  The pancreas of a non-diabetic simply produces more insulin to handle the additional glucose. 

But diabetics cannot and so some take an additional [[:Category:fast-acting|fast-acting]] or [[:Category:short-acting|short-acting]] bolus insulin to manage the spike. 

Bolus insulin can also be referred to as "mealtime" or "prandial" insulin because it is meant to handle the glucose increase from food. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aafp.org/afp/2004/0801/p511.html?printable=afp|title=Your Insulin Therapy|year=2004|publisher= American Family Physician}}</ref> Bolus differs from [[corrective insulin]] because it is part of the daily insulin routine--given slightly before or just after meals, depending on the insulin used. 

Caregivers with pets that have strong post-prandial or post-meal spikes often manage those spikes better by using a [[Lente]] insulin instead of an insulin like [[NPH]], &nbsp;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vin.com/VINDBPub/SearchPB/Proceedings/PR05000/PR00105.htm |title=Diabetes Mellitus-Treatment Options-Lente Insulin & Post-Prandial Spikes|author=Bruyette, David|year=2001|publisher=WSAVA}}</ref> being 30% [[semilente]] (a short-acting insulin) and 70% [[ultralente]] (a [[:Category:long-acting|long-acting]] insulin), handles the spike with its short-acting semilente portion.

Some caregivers also manage post-meal spikes through changes in the pet's dietary regimen, for example by feeding several small meals during the day rather that a few large meals.

With dogs, opinions differ.  Some caregivers use the methods above with success, others believe that a basal/bolus regime is safer and more effective for their dogs.   Since dogs are more prone to [[cataracts]] and certain other complications of [[hyperglycemia]], and in general have higher post-prandial spikes, it may be important to regulate them more tightly than cats.

For other uses of an extra, [[:Category:short-acting|short-acting]] insulin in addition to use as a bolus, see [[corrective insulin]].

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==More Information==

*[http://www.vin.com/VINDBPub/SearchPB/Proceedings/PR05000/PR00157.htm Treating the Complicated Diabetes Patient] David B.Church, 2001, WSAVA<br>Use of fast-acting insulin when intermediate-acting insulins are not enough.
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