? Fur Shots

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jacereske

jacereske

Member Since 2014
I've been giving insulin shots for 3 years, but lately I seem to be giving a lot of fur shots and I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong.

I give them in the scruff.

I make the tent like I always have and I feel the needle go in, then I inject and I wait 10 seconds after the injection to pull it out. But sometimes when I lightly stroke the fur I feel liquid and I know it's the insulin, because I check the fur before the shot and it's dry.

I can't tell that I'm doing anything differently, but I must be and I'm perplexed.

Any suggestions?

thanks,
Jeanette
 
Insulin has a distinct odour so I suggest smelling the fur at the injection site to be sure. Do your kitty's BG numbers show that a shot has been missed, ie., a fur shot?
 
I always heard that you should rotate areas that you give the shots in. Is it possible that has something to do with it?
 
Kris & Teasel said:
Insulin has a distinct odour so I suggest smelling the fur at the injection site to be sure. Do your kitty's BG numbers show that a shot has been missed, ie., a fur shot?
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I can't say I have noticed the odor.
She is still not regulated and her numbers vary a lot, so it's hard to tell. But yes I think so. On Sunday night I felt liquid and Monday morning her BG was 545.
 
I gave up on the "tent method" ......now I do it differently

I grab some fur between my thumb and forefinger and then "roll" my wrist to pull the skin away from the muscle/fat layer.....where the fur "breaks", I can see skin and that's where I shoot

This isn't a great picture, but it may give you the idea of what I'm talking about
china skin roll method.jpg
 
I suggested to my friend that she do similar to the above photo - and them blow on the hair to part it so that the skin is clearly visible. Also, be sure to press the plunger all the way in and wait one second (one elephant) to withdraw the needle.
 
Just-As-Appy said:
I suggested to my friend that she do similar to the above photo - and them blow on the hair to part it so that the skin is clearly visible. Also, be sure to press the plunger all the way in and wait one second (one elephant) to withdraw the needle.
Click to expand...
the plunger is definitely going all the way in and I wait 10 seconds.
 
Chris & China said:
I gave up on the "tent method" ......now I do it differently

I grab some fur between my thumb and forefinger and then "roll" my wrist to pull the skin away from the muscle/fat layer.....where the fur "breaks", I can see skin and that's where I shoot

This isn't a great picture, but it may give you the idea of what I'm talking about
View attachment 24562
Click to expand...
Thanks Chris. I may try that tomorrow.
 
I also have given shots in the way Chris was describing. I find that it works well with Smoky at times especially since he lost weight and is so thin with very little fat.
 
The weird thing is I've been giving Keno shots twice a day since June. This just started being an issue.
 
jacereske said:
The weird thing is I've been giving Keno shots twice a day since June. This just started being an issue.
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I went through a phase of giving fur shots, or possible fur shots, with Rosa. The first couple of weeks went fine, then I started sometimes not being as sure that she'd got the shot. That's when I started sniffing her fur every time. I would never repeat a shot of course, but at least it does give you an idea of what to expect numbers-wise. On the positive side, that phase didn't last all that long for me, so hopefully you'll be back to getting all those shots where they belong very soon.
 
manxcat419 said:
I went through a phase of giving fur shots, or possible fur shots, with Rosa. The first couple of weeks went fine, then I started sometimes not being as sure that she'd got the shot. That's when I started sniffing her fur every time. I would never repeat a shot of course, but at least it does give you an idea of what to expect numbers-wise. On the positive side, that phase didn't last all that long for me, so hopefully you'll be back to getting all those shots where they belong very soon.
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Thanks. I will start sniffing too! And I hope I get my groove back. It has shaken my confidence. Ugh. I'ts always something!
 
Try not to let it get to you too badly. Even people with years of experience give fur shots sometimes - it's just one of those things. You'll get your groove back, I'm sure you will. :bighug:
 
It happens to me also. Every once in a while. Sometimes Callie will move a bit and we get a fur shot, but that doesn't happen very often. I havent figured out what is going on. I do everything the same way every time.
 
Beth 73 said:
May sound crazy but I have had vet shave small area on each of Elmo's sides so I have a "target" to hit !
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This is the best way to get a good clean shot. I went out and bought an inexpensive electric clipper to due one of my kiities who has longer thicker fur and it made all the difference in the world for not giving fur shots.
 
i do the tent method on the scruff as well. i've had my share of fur shots.

now i am careful to tent so that my fingers are on the opposite side of the flesh as the needle. i insert the needle, and can palpate with my fingers teh other side of the tent to make sure there is not even the slightest feeling of the needle. if i screw up, i'll be pricking myself which to me is better than giving a fur shot.
.
i also part the fur so i can see right where the needle is going in. i think that helps m.e
 
Misterbeesmom said:
i do the tent method on the scruff as well. i've had my share of fur shots.

now i am careful to tent so that my fingers are on the opposite side of the flesh as the needle. i insert the needle, and can palpate with my fingers teh other side of the tent to make sure there is not even the slightest feeling of the needle. if i screw up, i'll be pricking myself which to me is better than giving a fur shot.
.
i also part the fur so i can see right where the needle is going in. i think that helps m.e
Click to expand...
I've started parting the fur too and that is helping considerably.
 
Thank you for this thread. I've been having fur shots also and I don't know why because I do the same thing every time. I'm going to do a search and try to find a photograph of a shaved kitty. I don't have a shaver but I could clip with baby nail clippers. I haven't been parting the fur, I'll try doing that. I have to reread the post about feeling the needle? I didn't quite get it.
 
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