1/22 | Jude: AMPS 344; +4 274; +7 224; +9 182; PMPS 153; +2 65; +3 65; +4 63; +5 68; +6 84

So, here lately, Jude has taken to reaching around and biting my hand when I give him his shot. It's not the poking he objects to; it's the cold insulin. I typically inject him on his flank, just above his shoulder, which is the best place to grab and roll to inject. Sometimes I'll go to the flank, just above the back leg (and he can't reach me so easily there), but this isn't the best place to get a grasp of his fur and roll to inject. When it comes time to push the insulin in, which takes a micro-second (but still stimulates a biting reaction), I try singing, talking, anything I can to distract, and sometimes that works, but not always. My greatest concern is that I risk a furshot when he bites at me. Any suggestions?
 
If you think it’s the insulin being cold that triggers his biting reaction, could it be drawn into syringe and allowed to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes or so to see if that helps?
 
MinnerPip said:
If you think it’s the insulin being cold that triggers his biting reaction, could it be drawn into syringe and allowed to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes or so to see if that helps?
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Is that okay? Will it diminish the effectiveness? If not, that's a great solution!
 
Considering lantus for humans is left at room temp for a month then tossed, I think it’s fine to sit for 30 min. I let mine sit 15-30 depending on how slowly he eats
 
SmallestSparrow said:
Considering lantus for humans is left at room temp for a month then tossed, I think it’s fine to sit for 30 min. I let mine sit 15-30 depending on how slowly he eats
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That's good to know. I'm going to try this--let it sit for 15 mins or so to warm up. Thanks so much! I knew someone here would know how to solve this.
 
Hi Mary, I’ve read multiple posts on here when I first started where members suggested to use their hands on the syringe to warm up the insulin for a few minutes before shooting. For only 3 units, I would think it would warm up pretty quickly.
 
Jason - Kona's Dad said:
What gauge needle are you using? I use 31 gauge, 8mm long.

Maybe the needle is too thick?
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I use the same size (3/10cc, 31G x 5/16’’). It's not the needle insertion that disturbs him; it's clearly when I push the insulin in. I've even wondered if the insulin burns him going in--I've received injections before that actually burned when injected. IDK. I'm going to try the warming the insulin strategy and see what happens.
 
Marielle said:
I use the same size (3/10cc, 31G x 5/16’’). It's not the needle insertion that disturbs him; it's clearly when I push the insulin in. I've even wondered if the insulin burns him going in--I've received injections before that actually burned when injected. IDK. I'm going to try the warming the insulin strategy and see what happens.
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Lantus has an acidic pH to keep the insulin in solution until it’s injected (where the change in pH of subcutaneous tissue makes crystals deposit.
Humans often complain that it stings or burns

edit:
I’d still try letting it come to room temp
 
Lantus can sting at higher doses, but we've seen cats feel the sting at lower doses as well. Try warming the syringe with your fingers or letting it sit for a few minutes after drawing the insulin, as was suggested by others and see if it's the cold insulin that is the issue.
 
Marielle said:
I use the same size (3/10cc, 31G x 5/16’’). It's not the needle insertion that disturbs him; it's clearly when I push the insulin in. I've even wondered if the insulin burns him going in--I've received injections before that actually burned when injected. IDK. I'm going to try the warming the insulin strategy and see what happens.
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I hope warming it helps… I’ve heard of it before, hopefully you don’t have to go through an insulin change.

Keep us posted! Good luck :bighug:
 
SmallestSparrow said:
Humans often complain that it stings or burns
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Bandit's Mom said:
Lantus can sting at higher doses, but we've seen cats feel the sting at lower doses as well.
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Yuck. This isn't good news because it really does seem like it stings or burns him. He turns around and snaps at my hand, and Jude is a VERY gentle, loving cat. I truly hope that's not what's happening--poor buddy. What I try to do is take it really slow when I inject, but even that is problematic because he's on edge knowing what's coming. Sometimes it works; sometimes he snaps. I'll try warming the insulin, and we'll see what happens. I suppose I could try putting a cone on him for the injection?? We'll see.
 
Marielle said:
Yuck. This isn't good news because it really does seem like it stings or burns him. He turns around and snaps at my hand, and Jude is a VERY gentle, loving cat. I truly hope that's not what's happening--poor buddy. What I try to do is take it really slow when I inject, but even that is problematic because he's on edge knowing what's coming. Sometimes it works; sometimes he snaps. I'll try warming the insulin, and we'll see what happens. I suppose I could try putting a cone on him for the injection?? We'll see.
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Well I think most cats hate cones and may cause even more issues. Is it every injection? Maybe some areas are more sensitive? Try the warming first. Humans get used to it as it lasts just a brief moment. B-12 stings and when my boys first started injections my pet sitter (a vet tech) came to do them and teach me. They both react (luckily don’t bite but they did turn to look) and she joked, ruffling their fur “did I bite you?”
 
Marielle said:
He turns around and snaps at my hand, and Jude is a VERY gentle, loving cat.
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It may be more reflexive than planned—like how many cats kick and bite if you rub their belly with your arm parallel to and over their body as opposed to from the side: since that’s how cats attack they can’t help biting and kicking it’s a reflex.

If they think the injection feels like someone biting them maybe they react first—he then probably feels terrible he bit you and was totally surprised it was you he bit
 
SmallestSparrow said:
Well I think most cats hate cones and may cause even more issues. Is it every injection? Maybe some areas are more sensitive? Try the warming first. Humans get used to it as it lasts just a brief moment. B-12 stings and when my boys first started injections my pet sitter (a vet tech) came to do them and teach me. They both react (luckily don’t bite but they did turn to look) and she joked, ruffling their fur “did I bite you?”
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It seems now that it's every injection. It didn't happen at all to begin with--just within the last month or so. I'll try some other distractions. He's very responsive to scritches, so if I can find a way to do that with my third hand...
 
SmallestSparrow said:
It may be more reflexive than planned—like how many cats kick and bite if you rub their belly with your arm parallel to and over their body as opposed to from the side: since that’s how cats attack they can’t help biting and kicking it’s a reflex.

If they think the injection feels like someone biting them maybe they react first—he then probably feels terrible he bit you and was totally surprised it was you he bit
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He is surprised when he does it, so I'm sure it's just reflexive. But I fear he's getting conditioned to expect the discomfort when I get ready to inject.
 
I have zero experience with switching insulins, but passing along that I have read that the Lantus sting has prompted some to switch to Levemir, which is also long acting, has a later nadir and does not have the acidic ph.
 
MinnerPip said:
I have zero experience with switching insulins, but passing along that I have read that the Lantus sting has prompted some to switch to Levemir, which is also long acting, has a later nadir and does not have the acidic ph.
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Good to know, Laura. My vet tells me that Lantus is the "gold standard," so the prospect of switching to another insulin isn't appealing, but maybe I'm just being an insulin snob.

Edited to add: I've never even heard that Lantus causes a sting to some cats. I feel pretty sure that's what's happening, though, because that's exactly how it appears to affect Jude.
 
What about shooting when he is eating? Think that will be distraction enough?

I think Levemir has been discontinued in the US.
 
Bandit's Mom said:
What about shooting when he is eating? Think that will be distraction enough
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I've tried this, but he moves, and I risk a fur shot. Plus, I cannot see that I'm actually getting the needle in, and that also runs the risk of a fur shot. It's best for me to put him up on a counter/table so that I can clearly see the needle going in.

Wendy&Neko said:
Are you shooting with the bevel up? Maybe some tips in here: Testing and Shooting Tips
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I'm shooting with the bevel up. He doesn't flinch when the needle goes in; he flinches and reacts when I push the plunger--like something has bitten him.
 
Neko wasn't a fan of flank shots, I had to shoot scruff/shoulder with her or she let me know. I held the syringe between my fingers for a bit to warm the insulin up.
 
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