Help on getting cat to take insulin shot!

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Dee1991

Dee1991

Member Since 2020
Hello!

I've been really struggling with giving my cat his insulin shots. He's only been getting his shots for just under three weeks, so it's definitely new to both of us. Some days he's okay with it and other days I can't get him to sit still. Today he wouldn't stop growling and jumped up so quick he accidentally scratched me.

I wasn't able to give him his shot, i just couldn't keep trying to find him and now it's so much later than when he normally gets his shot. He's on half a unit I was going to give him a quarter of a unit today as per my vets advice when his BG is lower than 10mmol/L. I tried swaddling him in a blanket but couldn't get to his skin easily which just seemed to agitate him more. I've tried giving his shot while he eats but he's been a finnicky eater since switching to the diabetic food, so i'm too nervous to give his insulin before seeing that he's officially eaten.

Any tips on how to give insulin shots to a cat who is just not having it?

Thanks
 
I can feel your pain, my boy was a tough customer as well. I found it easiest to put him on his window seat and open the window because he likes open windows then I give him tons of cheeky scratches till he relaxes.Try to be as relaxed yourself as you can, they sense the unease. I could never give the shot while he eats it was too hectic with the other cats. Eventually it gets easier . :bighug: good luck with your boy!!
 
I have the same problem, some days she jumps out the way and there is a fur shot. I have to be so quick now, as soon as I grab the skin the needle has to be right next to it to inject and run!
You will eventually find a way that your cat will tolerate.:)
 
The struggle is REAL! My boy was diagnosed 3 months ago and some days I just cried because he would jump or try to scoot away from me. Sometimes I missed and that just ruins my day. There's still days that he flinches a little but I've found it SO MUCH EASIER now that I've shaved down the areas of injection. It's so much easier to lift the skin and make that tent. Before it seemed like a guessing game of where to enter. He looks funny with the bald patches but the peace of mind knowing for sure he got his full dose and it taking considerably less time is soooo worth it.... Good luck to you! So stressful sometimes.
 
He used to be such a good eater but ever since we transitioned him to diabetic wet food it takes a lot of convincing to get him to eat. I started off giving him the shot during dinner but that didn’t work.

what was working for a little while was he’d have his dinner; we’d bring him to a spot, give him his shot.

I’m definitely not quick, so maybe that’s the problem. It’s just always hard to tent his skin! I’ve just been dreading his shot time everyday hoping it gets easier.
 
Dee1991 said:
I’ve just been dreading his shot time everyday hoping it gets easier.
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They're divils for picking up on our own nervousness. :rolleyes:

Try being quite matter-of-fact, pretending that everything's hunky dory (OK, we're doing this! :D ). Speak in a cheerful way. Try singing (not as daft as it sounds as it relaxes yourself and may hopefully relax your kitty a bit too).


Mogs
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Dee1991 said:
He used to be such a good eater but ever since we transitioned him to diabetic wet food it takes a lot of convincing to get him to eat. I started off giving him the shot during dinner but that didn’t work.

what was working for a little while was he’d have his dinner; we’d bring him to a spot, give him his shot.

I’m definitely not quick, so maybe that’s the problem. It’s just always hard to tent his skin! I’ve just been dreading his shot time everyday hoping it gets easier.
Click to expand...
That purina food sucks. Few will eat it and it's no better than grocery store food. Most people are feeding fancy feast classic or Friskies pate foods. I feed weruva foods because she needs low phosphorus as well as low carb.
 
Good luck! I feel your pain. It's been almost a month now and it's finally getting better for us.

Sometimes we'd be at it for an hour. And yes, tears of frustration because the time is ticking.

The wrist roll technique works for us sometimes depending on the position Buddy's lying in. Because at times I'd also have trouble getting a good tent.
Chris describes the wrist roll here:
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/new-member-hello.239793/#post-2696470
 
JanetNJ said:
That purina food sucks. Few will eat it and it's no better than grocery store food. Most people are feeding fancy feast classic or Friskies pate foods. I feed weruva foods because she needs low phosphorus as well as low carb.
Click to expand...

i really advocated for fancy feast because he eats the entire can. But my vet is adamant we need to have him fully on the purina DM. We’ve gone through lots of discussions about it. I’m pretty much spreading a very thin layer of fancy feast on top of the diabetic food just to get him near it
 
Does anyone have any suggestions for treats that are diabetic friendly?

I’m thinking if I can get him to start enjoying the time for syringe it’ll be less dreadful
 
Dee1991 said:
i really advocated for fancy feast because he eats the entire can. But my vet is adamant we need to have him fully on the purina DM. We’ve gone through lots of discussions about it. I’m pretty much spreading a very thin layer of fancy feast on top of the diabetic food just to get him near it
Click to expand...
There's nothing in the DM that makes it better quality. Just tell the vet he refused to eat it.
 
Does anyone have any suggestions for treats that are diabetic friendly?
Click to expand...

I give Dixie 'PureSnacks Freeze Dried Chicken Breast Dog Treats' and she loves them! I think the dog treat version just has bigger pieces, but it is less expensive overall. I get the bag, then tear apart the big pieces into smaller chunks. Then I sift out all the smaller flakes. I separate it into 3 mason jars so that I have big chunks, small chunks, and flakes. The big chunks are great for training or test time. The small chunks are good for throwing in a puzzle toy. And the flakes are good for sprinkling on top of wet food.

This process sounds kinda crazy now that I type it out... but it only takes a couple of minutes, I swear :D

Other people have recommended to use some baked chicken. I tried that method but Dixie wasn't as into it. Also you need to keep the chicken in the fridge and it only lasts so long... I am kind of lazy so I feel like the freeze dried chicken price is worth it for me because it is always ready.
 
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