Ok to feed after injection?

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Cat Ma

Cat Ma

Member Since 2015
Do I need to wait any length of time after I give my cat her insulin injection or can I feed her right after?
 
most of us test.... so we know the starting point.... then feed and shoot at the same time.
kitty is distracted with face in bowl and we get that shot over as fast as one can.

shot time is the perfect time to feed.
 
rhiannon and shadow said:
most of us test.... so we know the starting point.... then feed and shoot at the same time.
kitty is distracted with face in bowl and we get that shot over as fast as one can.

shot time is the perfect time to feed.
Click to expand...
How do you test? My cat and I are new to this. Thanks
 
here is a link that tells about it.... and shows a great picture of the sweet spot on the ear.

Most of us use human glucometers because the test strips are cheaper. The relion from walmart seems to be a favorite because it has cheap strips and most can just run get them.

You will want to reward your cat... for every effort to try to test , even if you fail. You want kitty to have a positive association with testing.
Most of us have freeze dried treats, but you can use anything diabetes friendly ... some boil chicken.

In addition to the excellent tips in the above links, here are some extra suggestions:
  • Jerri & Opie's Rice Sock: Warm the ear using a sock filled with uncooked regular rice, barley or oatmeal which has been warmed in the microwave (test on wrist to ensure it's not too hot).
  • Alternatively, use a small jar filled with hot water - kitty's ear may fit neatly around this curve, or a ziploc baggie with wet paper towel inside warmed in the microwave, or a heat lamp behind the cat's ear to keep it warm (not too close!).
  • Or just massage the ear a bit to get the blood flowing.

  • Hold something solid against the back of the ear to hold it in place. (A flashlight can serve double-duty here.)
  • Get as close to the edge of the ear as possible.
  • If using a lancet device, use the middle depth setting on the lancet device if adjustable. You can adjust depth up or down as needed with experience - you do not want to pierce through the ear although this is not harmful.
  • Hold lancet device firmly against the ear.
  • If doing a manual ear prick, be sure to prick the ear at a shallow (45-degree) angle, not straight down.
  • Fold the ear over the wound, or pinch the ear gently on either side, to help the blood well up.
  • If the drop is not forming properly, gently "milk" the ear on either side of the prick by stroking towards the prick, bringing the blood to that area.
  • You may attempt to add more warmth to increase size of blood drop depending on your heating method.
  • Sometimes it helps to make 2 pricks side by side one after the other to ensure you get enough blood from one or both.
  • Try using the other ear.
  • To prevent bruising, apply firm pressure on the ear prick with a tissue while waiting for the meter to count down.
Be sure to give your cat a hug and/or a treat afterward to reinforce the idea that this can be a pleasant experience!
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I had a harder time giving shots. I was a needle phobe.

The edges of a cat's ears are not very sensitive.... yes they feel the poke, but it's not the same as when you poke your finger.
It takes about two weeks for capillaries to grow in response to all the pokes on their ears but the ears do bleed easier over time.
Mostly cats just don't want their ears messed with.
But most cats learn very quickly to tolerate it because they get a treat. So many cats here will actually go to their spot, and lay down
waiting for their test. They hear the beep as you put a strip in the meter.
So in the long run, it's not hard, but those first couple of weeks while you get them used to it, and get a pattern going.

Ask for help in any part of the process.... we all have tons of tips.
 
Giving the insulin has been a breeze so far. Has anyone started out wrapping the cat in a towel or using an E-Collar? Or other strategies to keep the cat still? My cat hates having her ears and paws touched.
 
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It helps to give a low carb treat every time you test and every time you shoot - ex PureBites freeze dried chicken. Get the dog size to keep costs down, as you can break these into smaller pieces.
 
yes... we call that a kitty burrito....
or rather... Purrito....

there are many who have to do that in the beginning until the treat habit/testing is established.
 
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