What is the onset and duration of action of Senvelgo®?

Senvelgo® is rapidly absorbed with maximum plasma concentrations reached in under 3.7 hours in fed cats, so Senvelgo® increases glucosuria from the first dose onwards. This leads to glycaemic control, usually within 1 week 1,2. Improvement in diabetic clinical signs follows, although may take up to 1 month.

What are the side-effects of Senvelgo®?

The most common adverse event is diarrhoea or loose stool caused by minor inhibitory action of Senvelgo® on SGLT-1 in the small intestine. The majority of incidences of loose stool or diarrhoea last 7 days or less and usually resolve without specific therapy. The most serious potential adverse event is the development of euglycaemic diabetic ketoacidosis in cats which do not have sufficient endogenous insulin production. For a full list of potential adverse events refer to the Senvelgo® SPC12.

Are cats treated with Senvelgo® at higher risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs)?

Urinary tract infections, including cystitis, may occur as part of the underlying disease, and the glucosuric effect of velagliflozin may also contribute to UTIs. Urinary tract infections are common in feline diabetic patients, but the frequency of UTIs in cats treated with Senvelgo® is similar to that in cats treated with insulin11. It may be helpful to remember that even a cat well controlled on twice daily insulin injections usually has glucose in their urine at least some of the time. Standard cystitis/UTI therapy should be initiated if there are clinical signs of cystitis.

How Senvelgo® works | SENVELGO GB VET

How Senvelgo^® works

Watch this video to understand Senvelgo^®'s mode of action. This video explains how selective SGLT-2 inhibition reduces renal glucose reabsorption, increasing urinary glucose excretion to support glycaemic control.

Tested extensively^1,10,11

Senvelgo^® delivers glycaemic control and peace of mind

Efficacy and safety evaluated in studies featuring over 300 insulin-naive and insulin-treated cats ^1,10,11

Senvelgo^® is brought to you by the makers of ProZinc^®, a trusted insulin solution for diabetic pets

Senvelgo^® is supported by Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health’s technical services team, which is highly experienced in diabetes management

Cats that received Senvelgo^® during studies experienced no episodes of symptomatic hypoglycaemia

By just day 30:
67% of owners reported very good or excellent quality of life in their cats¹²
87% cats reported as having good, very good or excellent overall diabetic control by their vets¹²

Senvelgo^®: SGLT-2 inhibition in the nephron

Highly selective: targets SGLT-2 with only minor effect on SGLT-1
Inhibits most reabsorption of glucose
Promotes excretion of excess glucose in the urine
Controls hyperglycaemia by bringing blood glucose into the target range^1,2
Relieves glucose toxicity
Enables improved beta cell function and increased insulin production
Controls clinical signs of feline diabetes
Minor inhibition of SGLT-1 allows reabsorption of sufficient glucose, preventing symptomatic hypoglycaemia

“This is the development in diabetes management we have been waiting many years for; a practical oral therapy to treat this challenging disease.”

Samantha Taylor

BVetMed(Hons) CertSAM DipECVIM-CA MANZCVS FRCVS

RCVS Recognised Specialist in Feline Medicine

Glycaemic control can be achieved within a week^1,2

Blood glucose is usually brought into the target range within 7 days of starting Senvelgo^®:^1,2

60-day field study

Included both newly diagnosed and insulin pretreated cats

Randomised to receive once daily Senvelgo^® or twice daily insulin

Clinical control and quality of life improved in both groups

Sustained Efficacy

Serum fructosamine was controlled for the full study duration in a large field trial:¹⁰

6 month field study

252 owned diabetic cats

214 newly diagnosed and 38 insulin pretreated cats

How Senvelgo works^® - common questions

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References

1. Niessen, S. J. M. et al. (2022) Once daily oral therapy for feline diabetes mellitus: evaluation of SGLT-2 inhibitor velagliflozin as stand-alone therapy compared to insulin injection therapy in diabetic cats. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 36, 2512–2513.

2. Sparkes, A. H. et al. (2015) ISFM Consensus Guidelines on the Practical Management of Diabetes Mellitus in Cats. J Feline Med Surg 17, 235–50.

3. Waite, O. et al. (2025) Frequency, Risk Factors, and Mortality for Diabetes Mellitus in 1 225 130 Cats Under Primary Veterinary Care in the United Kingdom in 2019. JVIM 39:e70161.

4. Rand J, Gottlieb, SA. Feline diabetes mellitus. Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 8th edition. Ettinger SJ, Feldman EC and Cote E, eds. Elsevier, Missouri. 2017;1781-1795.

5. 2018 Summary of the Veterinary Clinic: Pet Obesity Prevalence Survey & Pet Owner: Weight Management, Nutrition, and Pet Food Survey. Available at:
https://petobesityprevention.org/2018.

6. Niessen, S. J. M. et al. (2017) The Big Pet Diabetes Survey: Perceived Frequency and Triggers for Euthanasia. Vet Sci 4, 27.

7. Diabetes in Cats: Quantitative market research study. Proprietary presentation, July 19, 2021. Kynetec; St. Louis, MO, on behalf of Boehringer Ingelheim.

8. Niessen, S. J. M. et al. (2010) Evaluation of a quaility-of-life tool for cats with diabetes mellitus. J Vet Intern Med 24, 1098-105.

9. Best New Product of the Year, 2024/2025 UK Veterinary Marketing Association (VMA) Awards

10. Behrend, E. N. et al. (2024) Velagliflozin, a once-daily, liquid, oral SGLT2 inhibitor, is effective as a stand-alone therapy for feline diabetes mellitus: the SENSATION study. JAVMA 262, 1343-1353.

11. Niessen, S. J. M. et al. (2024) Efficacy and safety of once daily oral administration of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor velagliflozin compared with twice daily insulin injection in diabetic cats. J Vet Intern Med 38, 2099–2119.

12. VMD. Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC): Senvelgo^® 15mg/ml oral solution for cats (velagliflozin). Veterinary Medicines Directorate, UK.

13. Reusch C, Chapter: 291 Feline Diabetes Mellitus, In: Ettinger J, Feldman E; editors. St Louis, Missouri, Saunders Elsevier; Textbook of veterinary internal medicine. 10th ed. 2010 p 1796-1816.

How Senvelgo^® works

Tested extensively^1,10,11

By just day 30:
67% of owners reported very good or excellent quality of life in their cats¹²
87% cats reported as having good, very good or excellent overall diabetic control by their vets¹²

Senvelgo^®: SGLT-2 inhibition in the nephron

“This is the development in diabetes management we have been waiting many years for; a practical oral therapy to treat this challenging disease.”

Glycaemic control can be achieved within a week^1,2

Sustained Efficacy

References

Welcome to the Senvelgo^® vet website

How Senvelgo® works

Tested extensively1,10,11

By just day 30:67% of owners reported very good or excellent quality of life in their cats12 87% cats reported as having good, very good or excellent overall diabetic control by their vets12

Senvelgo®: SGLT-2 inhibition in the nephron

“This is the development in diabetes management we have been waiting many years for; a practical oral therapy to treat this challenging disease.”

Glycaemic control can be achieved within a week1,2

Sustained Efficacy

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References

Welcome to the Senvelgo® vet website

How Senvelgo^® works

Tested extensively^1,10,11

By just day 30:
67% of owners reported very good or excellent quality of life in their cats¹²
87% cats reported as having good, very good or excellent overall diabetic control by their vets¹²

Senvelgo^®: SGLT-2 inhibition in the nephron

Glycaemic control can be achieved within a week^1,2

Welcome to the Senvelgo^® vet website