Diagnosed Thursday - Type 2 (new to this whole thing)

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hannah50

hannah50

Member Since 2014
Hi everyone - newbie here.

My 11 yr old cat was diagnosed as I said, last Thursday. I adopted him from the local shelter nearly three years ago.

I drug him to the vets again today to get a lesson in how to administer the shots, what to watch for, links, Karo syrup, carbs - the whole nine yards. And while yes, this is a bit daunting, I'm not afraid to give him the shots (did two test ones on him today of a saline solution). I do have local support. A woman I've worked with for 10 years also works weekend at the local Emergency Animal Clinic, AND volunteers at HART of Maine. She's a great resource and really good at 'talking me in off the ledge'.

What I would like to pick your brains about tonight is Aspen is a bonafied 'scaredy cat'. When I adopted him the shelter told me he was so panicked that they had to sedate him when he came in (1 owner for 8 years). He and I are VERY close, sleeps with me every night, head butts constantly, loves to play and be patted and fussed over. *However*, he does not deal well with being handled (unless apparently it's the vet, because then he turns into a limp rag doll - lol).

Since this was his second vet visit in less than 4 days he knew something was up. He panicked and tried to run but we got him cornered and in the crate.

My main question this evening is how on earth do I administer this shot to a panic cat? I just don't know how this is going to pan out, and my heart is broken in advance for the stress it's going to put on him. What if he runs and hides? Flush him out and stress him out more? Man handle him? I know I have to suck it up and find a way to get him through this, get him the meds he needs even if it's breaking my heart to stress him.

Any tips or hints? If this was one of our other two cats we've had since kitten-hood, *piece of cake*. Not with Aspen.

Suggestions and advice appreciated.

hannah
 
It might be easier than you think. The needles are tiny (get the smallest gauge) sometimes getting the shorter ones feels better too. Many of us give them the shot while they are eating and they hardly notice. You might take him into a bathroom with his favorite snack or food and wait till he is chomping away. If he doesn't stay still for it, you can wrap him in a kitty burrito (wrap him up in a towel with his head and a little space on the nape of his neck showing)

Usuually, they really don't seem to mind. Often the stress is all yours. So take some deep breaths, be calm and go for it!
 
I'm a fan of shooting while they're eating, too. wait til Aspen's head is in his bowl, grab up a hunk of scruff, and just do it. there are videos on youtube if you need a refresher on how to shoot.

are you hometesting? we encourage people to always test before giving shots, and to get tests in between shots to monitor how low the dose is taking the cat. None of us thought we could succeed at it at first, or thought that our cat would accept it, but we do and they do, too! You will also. We can help you with tips.

What insulin are you using? We have support groups for each kind of insulin, once you get going.
 
Thank you for the replies.

I'm too blown out emotionally to post a lot right now. Been on the phone trying to find best prices of insulin after reading a lot here and other places, internet searches etc. I have yet to purchase any, hopefully tomorrow night after work, or maybe take a long lunch hour. Target seems to be my best option.

Apsen has chosen to 'live' in the basement until feeding time in the morning and evening. We had to entice him with food Monday for the vet visit (showing me how to give shots) and he's been leery of feeding time since. He does come up once he notes that I'm in bed for the evening and spends the rest of the night there with me cuddling, playing with the laser light and head butting me. I think this is the best time I have to give him his shots, is between 8-9pm in my room while we're 'bonding' and playing. I won't know until I get there.

On an up note, I've got all 3 cats (in only 6 days) converted from dry to wet and on a feeding 'schedule'. It's a little hit and miss since they're still adjusting to not having a bowl of kibble down all day long. But they've surprised me greatly (especially Maggie) with the removal of the dry food.

I'm so glad this forum is here. Thank you for taking the time to reply.
 
We were prescribed Lantus, and I do hope to do home testing as it's less stress on Aspen. I see the ear is the place to draw blood, but I can tell you right now he's not going to have ANY of that. One day at a time I suppose, once we start this journey.

julie & punkin (ga) said:
I'm a fan of shooting while they're eating, too. wait til Aspen's head is in his bowl, grab up a hunk of scruff, and just do it. there are videos on youtube if you need a refresher on how to shoot.

are you hometesting? we encourage people to always test before giving shots, and to get tests in between shots to monitor how low the dose is taking the cat. None of us thought we could succeed at it at first, or thought that our cat would accept it, but we do and they do, too! You will also. We can help you with tips.

What insulin are you using? We have support groups for each kind of insulin, once you get going.
Click to expand...
 
It might be possible that you won't need insulin (some cats go into remission with just a diet change). If you'd hometest, you can find that out pretty quick. Since he is leery, I'd take time during the night time bonding and play with his ears and give him treats and praise. Then add warming the ears, with a rice sack or prescription bottle filled with hot water. Treats and praise. Then, when you finally poke him, it may not be a big deal.
 
Hi Hannah!

I'll just add that the sooner that you get going, the better the chances of remission are for Aspen. It doesn't happen for every cat, but that's the reason people do the Tight Regulation Protocol. The chances for becoming diet-controlled are over 90% for cats who get into TR in the first month after diagnosis. It doesn't mean it can't happen later, but earlier is better. Not every cat does go off of insulin, but it's a powerful incentive for most people! The point of Tight Regulation is to keep a cat's blood sugar in normal numbers (50-120) so that the pancreas can heal, and if possible begin working again. If that doesn't happen, still, the cat's body is protected from the damages of high blood sugar by keeping their blood sugar in that normal range.

The pdf that is about 5 paragraphs down from the top of the page here on the Tight Regulation Protocol page called "Management of Diabetic Cats Using Long-Lasting Insulin" describes the most recent study about this.

Definitely changing to low carb canned food is the first step. Kudos to you for making that switch! that can be hard for some cats! The dry food carbs should be gone by 2 days after the food switch. Getting going on home-testing is the next step. Always give Aspen a treat after testing him, even if you don't succeed in getting blood. He will learn to tolerate it. It's amazing how much that works. Who knew cats would accept a poke in exchange for treats!?! :lol:

Anyway, it's ok to move at the speed that works for you. I just think people should know that it does make remission easier if you get going sooner, and i don't know how you would know if we didn't tell you. I don't mean to pressure you, just educate you.

Keep posting and let us know how we can help! You can do this and will be comfortable with it in no time! the first couple of weeks is the hardest and it gets infinitely easier after then. :YMHUG:
 
Systematic desensitization: a gradual process of exposure therapy with tiny increases between steps which allows any fear to be experienced and survived successfully, gradually building up the ability to tolerate greater levels of the feared situation. Positive reinforcements such as low carb treats, desired toys, etc may be used for this.

So, for example, break down the vet visit into a series of small steps.
1) the carrier - leave it out, with a comfy towel in it, maybe a fun toy or some catnip. Play around it and in it frequently until it is no big deal.
2) swing the door closed, then open it. repeat often until it is no big deal
3) add in picking up the carrier and putting it down

and so on.

Always make steps tiny.
If a step is too much, back up a level, plus see if you can find an intermediate step that isn't as much of a change.
 
Thanks so much for the replies. It's been a busy day but I'll expand on my convo with the vet today and share over the weekend. I did make the decision to purchase the vial from Target for $203 (with their discount program), plus $30 for (100) syringes. Left work early and did that today. Vet suggested I not start him then go off work. So, tomorrow evening it is as I'll be home all weekend.

Hope everyone else's cat is doing swell. <3
 
I have found that giving your cat a good petting, lots of kisses plus rubbing their neck down the back before and after the injection works wonders. My guy still tends to scoot away sometimes right after, but not always.
MurphysMom (newly diagnosed too)
Donna
 
That's pretty much what I'll be doing. Evenings in my bedroom with the TV on is 'our time' and he's a snuggle bunny then (just no picking him up or anything like that). It's really my best opportunity to give the shot.

In our conversation yesterday, the vet said that if he responds well to the one shot a day he'll up it to two. I can't imagine getting an opportunity in the morning. :/

Thanks for the support!

MURPHYSMOM said:
I have found that giving your cat a good petting, lots of kisses plus rubbing their neck down the back before and after the injection works wonders. My guy still tends to scoot away sometimes right after, but not always.
MurphysMom (newly diagnosed too)
Donna
Click to expand...
 
DONE! I did his first shot about 40 minutes ago. Hit and RUN! lol

I waited for him to get comfortable in my room for the evening. I stayed out here doing my thing surfing the net. Made no big deal. Had the needle ready. Get this, I remembered to play a song that he seems to 'calm down' to. Neil Young's "Harvest Moon" so I put that on repeat. Sounds stupid I know, but for some reason he likes that song. I waited about 15 minutes and went in, petted him cooed and then BAM.

It was sort of funny, it took him a few seconds but he then jumped to the floor like "WTF just happened?" Then went to the basement. Came back up about 10 minutes later sat in the living room (which he RARELY does) and licked the spot where the shot went in. Now, he's back on my bed ready to snuggle in for the night.

I hope the following days will be as easy. SO glad this forum is here for resources and support.

cat_pet_icon
 
Congratulations on your first successful shot!

Play a song, sing to your kitty, talk to him and explain what is going on. Be calm, cool and collected and it will seem like no big deal.

Some people here make up new lines to the Hokey Pokey song and sing that to their kitties as they inject. Whatever works for you.
 
Hi Hannah!

Great job getting going on the shots! that's great. I'm a little surprised that your vet is suggesting one shot a day. Lantus will only last about 12 hrs in a cat - in a human it's a once per 24 hrs shot, but cats have fast metabolisms compared to people. It's an unusual situation for a cat to only need it once a day. Dosing is recommended to be twice a day, and sometimes people divide whatever the dose is and give half am and half 12 hrs later.

just to let you know, as cats respond to Lantus their dose needs often change. If you want help figuring out how to home-test, we strongly encourage it. Just as you wouldn't give insulin to your child without knowing what his or her blood sugar is, we don't recommend people shoot cats without knowing what's going on with their cat either. It's not uncommon for cats to have their pancreas heal and for them to be able to work off of insulin. On the Tight Regulation Forum right now we've got 6 cats going off this week and next because their pancreas has healed. You can see them listed as "OTJ" trials or parties. As the pancreas heals, the insulin needs decrease so to keep a cat safe, we decrease the dose.

Good job getting going. You're getting there! Just let us know how we can help you.

Most of us work and you can give insulin and still keep him safe.
 
julie & punkin (ga) said:
Hi Hannah!

Great job getting going on the shots! that's great. I'm a little surprised that your vet is suggesting one shot a day. Lantus will only last about 12 hrs in a cat - in a human it's a once per 24 hrs shot, but cats have fast metabolisms compared to people. It's an unusual situation for a cat to only need it once a day. Dosing is recommended to be twice a day, and sometimes people divide whatever the dose is and give half am and half 12 hrs later.

just to let you know, as cats respond to Lantus their dose needs often change. If you want help figuring out how to home-test, we strongly encourage it. Just as you wouldn't give insulin to your child without knowing what his or her blood sugar is, we don't recommend people shoot cats without knowing what's going on with their cat either. It's not uncommon for cats to have their pancreas heal and for them to be able to work off of insulin. On the Tight Regulation Forum right now we've got 6 cats going off this week and next because their pancreas has healed. You can see them listed as "OTJ" trials or parties. As the pancreas heals, the insulin needs decrease so to keep a cat safe, we decrease the dose.

Good job getting going. You're getting there! Just let us know how we can help you.

Most of us work and you can give insulin and still keep him safe.
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Hi Julie -

I don't know why the vet started with one shot a day. Maybe it's because of my cat's panic nature. He has a low 'trust' threshold. Truth be told, if I was instructed to give him two shots a day I don't know how that would happen due to his habit of after eating breakfast pretty much going right to the basement for the day.

He gets his one shot a day at 8:30 pm, give or take a few minutes depending on how relaxed he is with me on the bed. I'm being completely serious when I say a morning shot (or second shot) is pretty much impossible with this cat. He's a tough patient. :/

He is however reacting well to the insulin. It's week three. He's going into the vets this week for a glucose check. And again, in all seriousness there is no way in hell this cat would allow me to take blood from his ear - or probably anywhere else. Unless I can sneak up on him and do it as quickly as the shot is. I promise you I am not exaggerating the situation with him. I'm lucky he's got the routine of coming to sleep with me at night and I can give him that one shot, easily.

I think the needle went all the way through his skin last night as I smelled something on my finger (medicine smell) - I was pretty bummed about that but it was a lesson to focus more and aim DOWN. Sheesh...
 
Positive reinforcement will often go a long way to shaping behavior in a desired direction. It may be helpful to pick up some low carb treats to reward desired behavior. For example, every time you give him a shot, give him a low carb treat. Every time he comes when you call him, give him a low carb treat. Etc.
 
BJM said:
Positive reinforcement will often go a long way to shaping behavior in a desired direction. It may be helpful to pick up some low carb treats to reward desired behavior. For example, every time you give him a shot, give him a low carb treat. Every time he comes when you call him, give him a low carb treat. Etc.
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Is there a recommended low carb treat? I'd gladly purchase some. Thank you for the reply!
 
Hi and welcome. Freeze dried 100% chicken or turkey work well as treats. Give one every time you test once you start. If he catches on to the shots and objects, give one then as well. I doubt the shots will be a problem. My easy going Max became a monster when at the vet for his first curve. My vet had to leave so didn't see what happened but said it likely was from being in the cage. I was so scared to home test after that. He is very skittish and fearful. So I was dragging him to the vet twice a week. In the office he was an angel. One day my vet handed me the needle and had me do the stick. After doing it there a few tines I started doing it at home. You will too. I learned from my other cat to use one room for procedures so she would feel safe everywhere else. So when I need to test I bring Max into the bathroom every time. He tends to hide under the bed so I decided to use the one room. Others have testing spots and their cats go there for tests as they know treats follow.
 
Came back up about 10 minutes later sat in the living room (which he RARELY does) and licked the spot where the shot went in.
Click to expand...

I am just curious, where did you shoot him that he was able to lick the spot where the shot went in?
 
Freeze dried meat/poultry such as Purebites (the dog version is more economical though you have to break it up), fresh raw or cooked bits of meat/poultry/fish work, too.
 
I bought Honeyville human canned freeze dried chicken and turkey. Each 23 oz can costs about $39 and shipping is $4.95. Much cheaper than dog or cat fd I think. I used to buy Whole Life but it costs about $16 for 2.5oz if my memory is right.
 
Hi Hannah!

there are products that are safe that can help calm a cat down. Rescue Remedy is a liquid that can be added to food that works really well. It's an herbal remedy available in pet stores. When we got 2 new kittens and our other cat was completely stressed about them, i gave her RR for a couple of weeks to help her adjust. We've used in it for travel in the car too. It's safe and effective - you might try putting it in his food for a couple of weeks while you fiddle with his ears to get him used to the whole process.

Feliway is a product that can either be bought in a spray can or one of those plug-in diffusers that has pheromones that calm cats down.

The reason i'm strongly encouraging you on this is because we have too often seen cats arrive her with hypoglycemic symptoms because they "settled into" the dose they had. What was just right at one point becomes too much if the pancreas begins to heal. Testing is the only way to be certain that it's safe to shoot the insulin.

We've helped a lot of people deal with fractious cats and get to the point of successfully home-testing. we can help you too.

a treat after testing or shots is essential - and cats are amazing at becoming willing to accept the poking in order to get the treats. i cooked plain chicken breasts for punkin, cut them in 1/2" dice, froze most of it and kept a couple of tablespoons out in the fridge. he got one of those after each poke and loved it.
 
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