Hi
@Renate
Sometimes it can happen that a shot goes a bit awry for some reason (maybe the needle goes too deep one time and pricks the flesh underneath) and then the kitty can get a bit nervous about getting more shots. This 'usually' resolves quite easily once the caregiver has clocked up a few 'good' shots, and the cat's confidence is restored. This is actually not uncommon, hence my mentioning it. But this may or may not be what's going on with your kitty.
It is interesting that she is OK with testing BG, but not with the insulin shots. These are 'similar' processes in a way (both needing the cat to remain still for a short period while they get pricked), so I wonder why the shots are different....
A few questions to think about...
You say 'we' are having trouble giving the shots. Are there two of you giving the shots together, and is that the same with the BG tests...?
Are you more anxious about giving the shot than you are about testing the BG?
Are you rolling the syringe barrel in your fingers for a few seconds to take the chill off the insulin before giving the shot?
Are you pulling back on the syringe plunger to check for blood before giving the shot? (If you are, don't, there's no need to do that...)
Are you using a fresh syringe for each shot?
Are you injecting the scruff or in loose skin elsewhere on the body?
Are you using U40 syringes? Is it possible to get U40's with shorter and/or finer needles where you live? ....If not, then switching to U100 syringes can be a game-changer for some people, because the needles tend to be shorter and finer. But these need to be used with a 'conversion chart' so that you draw the right amount of U40 insulin into the U100 syringe.
Regarding the shot technique, are you using the 'tenting' technique? You 'probably' are because most people do. But it is not the only technique...
With my first diabetic I couldn't get on with the tenting technique at all. My cat was a fidget and would suddenly move. That made it hard for me to give the shot, and meant that I accidentally pricked him sometimes. So I used another technique that worked better for us.
I'd grab some loose skin on the scruff with the fingers and thumb of my non-dominant hand, and then pull it up and sort of tip that upward slightly. Then I gave the shot almost directly downwards into the skin that I was holding in my hand, about mid way between fingers and thumb. This had two advantages. Firstly it meant that I could give the shot even if he moved a bit, as long as I was holding onto that handful of skin. And secondly it meant that I no longer pricked him because the depth of skin that I was holding in my hand was greater than the length of the needle.... If that makes sense...?
Another possible thing to try is a bit of 'desentization'. For example, at times when you are
not trying to give a shot, and maybe when your kitty is in a cuddly mood, you can stroke the kitty, and then just very gently pull up some skin on the scruff, just for a second, and not enough to stress her. Then immediately give a treat, and leave her alone to enjoy that. If she's OK with that, then you can also try pulling up some skin and quickly poking against the side of that 'tent' with the tip of your little finger, and then, again, just give a treat and try to leave her with a 'happy'. If she's OK with that, you can try the same thing with a capped syringe instead of with the tip of your little finger. And with kitties that like their chin scratched it's also possible to scratch the kitty's chin with the capped syringe. This can help to make the syringe 'ordinary' and non-threatening
Is your kitty food-motivated? If so you may be interested to see the little video below where a vet is using 'desensitization' and 'counter conditioning' techniques to get a cat used to injections.
...One more thing... Very occasionally a cat will resist insulin shots if it doesn't need them... Strange but true... How are your kitty's blood glucose levels..?
Eliz