10/15 Biggie AMPS 179 +3 194 +4 173 +6 144 PMPS 260 +2 301

Jackie and Biggie

Jackie and Biggie

Member Since 2022
Yesterday

Biggie hissed and ran off for the third time in the last two days during his shot. I think it stings.

Can the insulin start to sting as it gets old? I’ve had the vial open for two months and it expires at the end of the month. I keep it refrigerated but it has been left out a few hours a few times.

I have a new prescription in for 5 pens which I can pick up but I’m worried if it’s the actual Lantus making him hurt then I need to have my vet write the scrip for Levemir..?

My new scrip is for generic insulin glargine but it doesn’t sound like that is less likely to sting than Lantus. Or can there be a difference?
 
He only tolerates it between the mid-part of his flank and his shoulder. I haven’t tried toward his tummy but I can try that tonight. He definitely never likes the needle going in toward his upper thigh so that area is out.
 
Lantus does sting at higher doses but I believe some cats feel the sting even at lower doses. You would face the same issue with other biosimilars of Lantus like Basaglar & Semglee. Is it the poke he doesn't like or when the insulin goes in? If it is the former, then do you have the needle bevel side up when giving the shot? It could also be the cold insulin. Maybe try warming the syringe with your fingers after drawing the dose to get the insulin to room temperature and see if that helps?

If it's none of this, you could consider Levemir (a different insulin) which does not sting.
 
I do have the bevel side up. It’s not the needle going in - but it’s a definite reaction as the insulin is injected. I will try warming the syringe with my fingers.

Is it possible that he has already developed scar tissue at the sites I’m injecting? I alternate sides but he gets it in the same general area each time and I noticed his skin seems tougher/thicker to inject in lately. But he doesn’t mind/react to the poke as much as the actual injection..but wondering if injecting into scar tissue hurts?
 
One trick that works well for giving subq fluids is to freeze the needle. This can sort of numb the skin during the injection and many cats do better with this method. This might help if it is the needle causing discomfort. If it is the insulin causing discomfort, warming it first might help as @Bandit's Mom suggested. Wishing you good luck :bighug:
 
I thought about switching to see if Max would do better early on. Lantus didn’t bother him. I had a routine that worked for me though and I was concerned that if he had late nadirs it would not be possible for me at the time.
 
tiffmaxee said:
I thought about switching to see if Max would do better early on. Lantus didn’t bother him. I had a routine that worked for me though and I was concerned that if he had late nadirs it would not be possible for me at the time.
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Does Levemir have earlier nadirs in general?

I just searched and see it’s a longer cycle/later nadirs in general…I hope I can get Lantus to work for Biggie, but I can’t have my baby burning at each shot.
 
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I did warm the syringe in my fingers tonight and I gave the shot lower down and distracted him with food (which didn’t used to work but he was ravenous). He did flinch a bit at the end, but I got it all in, so we’ll see how it goes tomorrow.

Of course I am totally nervous giving it now and I am sure he senses it. He was such a trooper for awhile- didn’t mind it whatsoever as long as it wasn’t near his thighs.
 
Jackie and Biggie said:
Of course I am totally nervous giving it now and I am sure he senses it. He was such a trooper for awhile- didn’t mind it whatsoever as long as it wasn’t near his thighs.
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Totally understand trying to find the winning formula! What helped us immensely was singing! When I gave every shot I sang a full song with Sugar’s name looped in while petting! At 6am I tried to just give the shot, but Sugar didn’t sit still unless it was part of our singing moment. Green Day songs are popular! Something to try?
 
Sugar’s Mama said:
Totally understand trying to find the winning formula! What helped us immensely was singing! When I gave every shot I sang a full song with Sugar’s name looped in while petting! At 6am I tried to just give the shot, but Sugar didn’t sit still unless it was part of our singing moment. Green Day songs are popular! Something to try?
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Aww I like Green Day! I’ll try some of their songs.

I love to sing to Biggie and I have a couple of songs I sing almost all day to him- I made them up especially for him. I mostly do it when I’m testing because he gets squirmy though he’s very good. I’ll make sure I’m doing it during the shots, too. I’m sure it makes him more comfortable because it makes me more at ease. He perks up when I sing to him too. I’ve started brushing him during shot times again too. I used to do that more but I was getting too serious while trying to focus.
 
Jackie and Biggie said:
I did warm the syringe in my fingers tonight and I gave the shot lower down and distracted him with food (which didn’t used to work but he was ravenous). He did flinch a bit at the end, but I got it all in, so we’ll see how it goes tomorrow.

Of course I am totally nervous giving it now and I am sure he senses it. He was such a trooper for awhile- didn’t mind it whatsoever as long as it wasn’t near his thighs.
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They can pick up on our anxiety/nervousness and feed off it. I've been where you are with my civvie. Giving her weekly Cartrophen shots used to be a nightmare.

If none of it works, maybe it's the acid base of Lantus and you want to try Levemir.
 
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