3/16: Lando AMPS: 93. THE SMELL OF INSULIN

[TankNRK]

Previous Post:
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/thr...hots-will-do-that-to-you.275289/#post-3055205

He's finally coming down and I smelled insulin on his fur earlier and found a small wet spot.

I sat there and MADE SURE the needle was in. I tented and just sat there and made sure we were okay, I felt around and the needle was in, I did the same thing I did last night and felt it perfectly. I think some got in but there was a good sized drop on my hand so maybe not.

I'm shaving Lando tonight I guess. I can't take it anymore. I'm in tears I'm so mad I can't figure out what's happening that I'm doing wrong. I watched videos for 30 minutes yesterday to remind myself how to do it. Something stupid is happening. I'm broken hearted that somehow I'm getting worse at this!!!!!!

 

[TankNRK]

If there's anyone near Dallas Texas who can come watch me and help me, please please do. I'm sitting here crying at 5am cause I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong.

How can I stand there, needle IN, feeling around to MAKE sure it's in, confirm I'm good, only to inject and it's everywhere. How does the needle stand up on its own in the skin yet somehow magically injects into the fur

 

[Bandit's Mom]

Don't be so hard on yourself! Looking at his numbers, I'm not sure that was a FS a couple of nights back. Do you suppose you are smelling the excess insulin you squeeze out when adjusting his dose? That sometimes collects at the base of the needle.

 

[TankNRK]

Don't be so hard on yourself! Looking at his numbers, I'm not sure that was a FS a couple of nights back. Do you suppose you are smelling the excess insulin you squeeze out when adjusting his dose? That sometimes collects at the base of the needle.

That's what I was thinking just now but there was a good wet-sized droplet on my hand. Smelling insulin isn't really my go to assume, but wet fur is it keeps happening and I'm just sitting here, tears welled up in my eyes, cause I can't get that DEPO refilled. I don't understand what I keep doing wrong.

 

[Bandit's Mom]

If you had 2 furshots in 2 days, I don't think you'd have seen blue last night and green this AM. Is he jumping or twitching when you give the shot causing the needle to move? Maybe a longer needle will help if you think the shorter needle is a problem?

 

[TankNRK]

If you had 2 furshots in 2 days, I don't think you'd have seen blue last night and green this AM. Is he jumping or twitching when you give the shot causing the needle to move? Maybe a longer needle will help if you think the shorter needle is a problem?

Well yesterday we finally had a full day of no shots so I think it could finally bring his numbers down, his PM shot was a *maybe* furshot that day before it was just insulin, but I highly suspected it based on the numbers.
He takes it like a champ and doesn't move at all. I'm having a little trouble feeling like I'm getting enough skin maybe? I can't honestly really figure out what's going on. I feel like the shorter needle should make this easier, not harder...

I'm picking up the skin to tent (right now focusing mostly around shoulder area since it's easiest trying to go back to basics) and grab with 3 fingers to get myself a good "tent opening" and I've been angling at around 45° into the opening, feeling it pop into the skin, then I've been waiting a moment to make sure the needle is in and not coming out the other side (I've even given the syringe a little slack to see if it holds itself up) then i shoot and I've been waiting just a moment before pulling the syringe out.
Does all of this sound like the right way?

 

[Bandit's Mom]

I'm picking up the skin to tent (right now focusing mostly around shoulder area since it's easiest trying to go back to basics) and grab with 3 fingers to get myself a good "tent opening" and I've been angling at around 45° into the opening, feeling it pop into the skin, then I've been waiting a moment to make sure the needle is in and not coming out the other side (I've even given the syringe a little slack to see if it holds itself up) then i shoot and I've been waiting just a moment before pulling the syringe out.
Does all of this sound like the right way?

Yes, it sounds like you are doing it just right

 

[Carole & Indigo]

 

[TankNRK]

Yes, it sounds like you are doing it just right

I guess I just need to hone my skills all over again. Maybe I'm getting too much in a hurry or something.

Just really struggling to figure out where I'm going wrong :/

 

[Deb and Sylvester]

I guess I just need to hone my skills all over again. Maybe I'm getting too much in a hurry or something.

Just really struggling to figure out where I'm going wrong :/

You're not doing anything wrong, I honestly think you should try the longer needle.

After you tent, try pushing Lando's hair against the natural direction of growth, like a part in the hair. Aim for that spot.

Sly has super thick hair, and some of it's white... I can't see his skin unless I part it.

 

[TankNRK]

You're not doing anything wrong, I honestly think you should try the longer needle.

After you tent, try pushing Lando's hair against the natural direction of growth, like a part in the hair. Aim for that spot.

Sly has super thick hair, and some of it's white... I can't see his skin unless I part it.

I'll try that this evening for sure, seems I keep having more problems in the AM and I think I just need to wake up earlier so I can really focus and be AWAKE for the shot.
I wish I had 4 more arms I think that'd help lol!
Thank you all for the support and tips. I was so discouraged and shocked this morning I just burst into tears.
I just bought a new box of syringes too, think I'll just bite the bullet and get some with longer needles and see if that helps me out <3

 

[tessa's mom]

It definitely sounds like you're doing everything right but it also sounds like you're exhausted and overwhelmed. I've been there, believe me! You're wound up tightly and anxious about everything and unfortunately that makes things harder. Please try to find a way to relax. Sit outside on a nice day, listen to soothing music, take a nap, take a relaxing bath, etc.

Then when it's shot time, hold your head up high and believe you are going to do it and I think you'll find that it goes a bit easier.

Also, I would stop worrying about smelling insulin on his fur, you're going to drive yourself crazy with that. Even a teeny tiny droplet will still have that insulin smell and a teeny tiny droplet that dribbles out onto his fur isn't going to make a big difference in how the insulin works for him. Unless you see or feel significant amounts of insulin that didn't make it in, don't stress about it.

 

[Deb and Sylvester]

I'll try that this evening for sure, seems I keep having more problems in the AM and I think I just need to wake up earlier so I can really focus and be AWAKE for the shot.
I wish I had 4 more arms I think that'd help lol!
Thank you all for the support and tips. I was so discouraged and shocked this morning I just burst into tears.
I just bought a new box of syringes too, think I'll just bite the bullet and get some with longer needles and see if that helps me out <3

I have those moments too, its natural, we love our babies! Get the longer needles.

Before you give the injection rub the area, it helps to get stimulation into the skin before injection. Do not ever touch the spot after, you can cause some or all of the insulin to come back out.

After, I just sit there, maybe 10 seconds and then smell the fur in that area, no smell, insulin is in. Keep us posted on the new needles, and breathe...

 

[TankNRK]

Thank you everyone I'm going to wake up earlier and make myself coffee before running through the routine so I have time to wake up and relax a bit before starting in the morning, which seems to be my most common cycle I'm messing up in. Been feeling really downtrodden and was so tempted to reshoot today but held myself firm and just chalked it up and moved on. It's so disheartening when it happens so often in a row and just brings me to tears.

I think before I was rubbing the shot area AFTER and that might have played a factor. I'll rub beforehand to loosen up the skin and get the blood flowing and try again this evening and take my time.

I really appreciate everyone supporting me on my bad day. I just want to do better by Lando and I wish there was a way to practice to have it right when I'm giving insulin, but alas practice makes perfect and the only way is to take my time, breathe deep and take it slow at injection time and accept these things happen. I'll get the hang of it again. I'm just getting anxious and worked up and overthinking it and it's just making things worse.

 

[babyg]

Give yourself some grace. I've been there too crying my eyes out because maybe the shot hurt and made her jump or I made the wrong choice about something, etc. The thing to remember is your heart is in the right place and you mean the absolute best for your baby. Can the vet maybe watch you do the shot? I had trouble with my cat too initially. Brought her to the vet, he shaved a spot on each side of her shoulder, and had me do a fake shot right there in front of him. To this day I still get nervous and struggle with shots on her left side, maybe because I'm right-handed? But I have a hard time tenting and getting the perfect spot. It takes me a while sometimes, grabbing and re-grabbing skin until I feel like I got it. Over time you'll also learn by feeling what is a good spot and what isn't. It's like you have to learn the cat's anatomy and where you'll have the best luck. You'll definitely figure it out, and maybe a longer needle will help like others are suggesting. I'm not sure, but worth a try.

 

[JL and Chip]

Have you seen this post on testing and shooting tips? There might be some ideas there to help you. I’ve heard people say that the “rolling the skin” method allows for fewer for shots. See also the video at the bottom of the post.
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/testing-and-shooting-tips.85113/

If you’re getting in your head about shots, you might also try singing or humming while doing the injection.

 

[TankNRK]

Give yourself some grace. I've been there too crying my eyes out because maybe the shot hurt and made her jump or I made the wrong choice about something, etc. The thing to remember is your heart is in the right place and you mean the absolute best for your baby. Can the vet maybe watch you do the shot? I had trouble with my cat too initially. Brought her to the vet, he shaved a spot on each side of her shoulder, and had me do a fake shot right there in front of him. To this day I still get nervous and struggle with shots on her left side, maybe because I'm right-handed? But I have a hard time tenting and getting the perfect spot. It takes me a while sometimes, grabbing and re-grabbing skin until I feel like I got it. Over time you'll also learn by feeling what is a good spot and what isn't. It's like you have to learn the cat's anatomy and where you'll have the best luck. You'll definitely figure it out, and maybe a longer needle will help like others are suggesting. I'm not sure, but worth a try.

The vet showed me originally! I'm thinking about calling her to see if she can give me some tips and maybe walk me through it again just to help me get out of this newfound "furshot rut" I'm in haha. I'm hoping I don't need to resort to shaving but it might be the best option, as that could help me truly see what I'm doing wrong. Poor Lando will go ballistic if I bring that trimmer towards him, and I'd hate to have to shave some of his beautiful plush fur, but if it'll stop this from happening for awhile that may be our best option lol!

 

[TankNRK]

Have you seen this post on testing and shooting tips? There might be some ideas there to help you. I’ve heard people say that the “rolling the skin” method allows for fewer for shots. See also the video at the bottom of the post.
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/testing-and-shooting-tips.85113/

If you’re getting in your head about shots, you might also try singing or humming while doing the injection.

Yeah I went through the post again to remind myself and relearn but I haven't been able to feel comfortable with the tent and roll method, I tried it before and it felt worse.... I may need to find a good video representing the method though which may help more. I need close up videos with the cats shaved or something
I have another shot this evening at it though. I'll get there! It's giving me a little anxiety thinking about it (I feel like it's becoming psychological now) so I'm gonna have to break out of this rut before I get worse.

 

[Virginie & Chewie (GA)]

I'm so sorry you are having such a hard time! I was terrible at the tent method, I never felt I could feel the needle go in as well as I wanted to.
I read somewhere on this forum about the pinch and roll method, where you grab the skin with your entire hand, then gently twist your hand backwards to pull the skin up. It gives you a much more firm stretch of skin than the tent method, and I found it way easier. I can't find any pictures to illustrate what I mean, but happy to make a quick little video if you want!

 

[TankNRK]

I'm so sorry you are having such a hard time! I was terrible at the tent method, I never felt I could feel the needle go in as well as I wanted to.
I read somewhere on this forum about the pinch and roll method, where you grab the skin with your entire hand, then gently twist your hand backwards to pull the skin up. It gives you a much more firm stretch of skin than the tent method, and I found it way easier. I can't find any pictures to illustrate what I mean, but happy to make a quick little video if you want!

Honestly, if you did that a video of the pinch and roll method would be helpful! I've seen photo graphics explaining it, but it hasn't helped me much. I
think a video would be a great guide for me if you could get one up close! But no rush and don't feel obligated <3

I did our PM shot today just fine! I took my time and even started to get a little frustrated overthinking it, so I just stepped away for a couple minutes then came back. I couldn't get the trimmers at Lando, I tried but he freaked out lol! So I took some hair scissors and just trimmed his fur real short around the shoulder blades and that was definitely helpful I'm just going to wake up tomorrow am and have a little time to myself instead of rushing right into the process.

 

[Melinda and Kitkat]

I noticed 2 things when I was injecting Kitkat in the beginning. 1 was him, I would shoot the scruff, and he wouldn't really fight it after awhile but I would feel him tense up and it was hard to grab a "good tent", so I would pause, give him scratches on his scruff, to get him to relax, it was like he was tensing for the poke. I'd take it at his time, a snuggle, a head kiss and then tent again. I slowly picked up on it when he'd tense up, so I'd wait that minute or two. 2nd thing was my technique, my vet showed me her way, with thumb on plunger and 2 fingers on the side. It didnt work so well for me. When I adjusted my hand position and held the syringe more like a pen or how I would hold a dart I was throwing at a dart board.(rather than a scary syringe) I got better aim, less fur shot chance, and it made me calmer about the poke

 

[carfurby (GA)]

Glad the PM shot went fine.

 

[La-La Leo (GA)]

I'll try that this evening for sure, seems I keep having more problems in the AM and I think I just need to wake up earlier so I can really focus and be AWAKE for the shot.
I wish I had 4 more arms I think that'd help lol!
Thank you all for the support and tips. I was so discouraged and shocked this morning I just burst into tears.
I just bought a new box of syringes too, think I'll just bite the bullet and get some with longer needles and see if that helps me out <3

Somehow I ended up with the shorter needle length and the longer length. After over 14 months, I'm thinking I'll start getting just the longer length. I feel more confident when I use the longer ones, and Leo is good with either length. He doesn't like the left side, so I have my hubby help distract him while I shoot. The right side is no problem.