Thanks, Chris....big help. Wow! Four blood tests a day even before I do the curve. The vet tech never bothered to tell me to do this...yikes. I will just record it all in a book until I do more research to figure out how to do a spread sheet.
You don't need to squeeze the ear and really shouldn't as it could lead to bruising. You can massage the ear from the head up toward the poke spot to encourage a blood bead. You can also put a very light skim of Vaseline on the spot you intend to poke to keep the blood from spreading out into the fur.
Oh dear, I will be careful not to squeeze, I don't want to bruise her! I will try the vasoline, too.You don't need to squeeze the ear and really shouldn't as it could lead to bruising. You can massage the ear from the head up toward the poke spot to encourage a blood bead. You can also put a very light skim of Vaseline on the spot you intend to poke to keep the blood from spreading out into the fur.
On the food front, it's hard to say as it really depends on Pepper's size and calorie needs. If she needs to gain some weight you can feed a little more than you think would be normal for her because diabetics are always hungry and cannot utilize the food they consume efficiently.
Good luck with your first shot this morning! You'll be fine.
You don't need to squeeze the ear and really shouldn't as it could lead to bruising. You can massage the ear from the head up toward the poke spot to encourage a blood bead. You can also put a very light skim of Vaseline on the spot you intend to poke to keep the blood from spreading out into the fur.
On the food front, it's hard to say as it really depends on Pepper's size and calorie needs. If she needs to gain some weight you can feed a little more than you think would be normal for her because diabetics are always hungry and cannot utilize the food they consume efficiently.
Good luck with your first shot this morning! You'll be fine.
I need to feel confident with each step & go slow but his attitude is just get it done is the way to gain confidence. I know I worry too much but I felt like a dismal failure! I don't wan't us to fight over this as I know it's bad for Pepper...I just don't know what to do. I feel impaired by my anxiety. Should I let him give the shots if he agrees to let me test first?
Thanks so much, Linda. It feels like Pepper is dealing with all of this much better than I am! I will make a nice dinner & we will have a talk with Ron tonight. He thinks I am doing too much research & that it is overwhelming me. I think I am overwhelmed, but not because of the research.I think you need to sit down with BF and have a heart to heart talk about how precious Pepper is to you and that you want to make sure you keep her safe and insist that she is tested before all shots no ifs and or buts. Point out that his Dad tested before getting insulin so why would you not test the cat? If he resists, ask him if he'd give insulin to a human baby without knowing it was safe to do so. I'm betting the answer will be a resounding NO!
Now take some deep breathes and try to remember this is new stuff for all of you and nothing horrible is going to happen if you didn't get all the insulin into Pepper and she wasn't tested before hand. This is a learning curve and you need to be as patient with yourself and BF as you are with Pepper.
It's up to you how you want to handle the shots but if you have the advantage of having two in your household who can/do give shots, just make sure you keep a record somewhere so that a second shot doesn't get given or shots are not missed because someone assumed the other gave it. Clear communication is key to ensuring Pepper's safety.
Sometimes you will feel skin resistance when you inject and sometimes not so much. That doesn't mean the insulin didn't go in so never ever give a second shot. Check for any wet fur after you inject but don't massage the injection site. Just lightly run your hand over the area to see if there is any wetness. If you detect some wetness, note it on your SS as possible furshot (FS) so that you will know it may gave been a partial shot if Pepper's BG seems off that cycle.
More deep breathing......
I will try the grapefruit and just get more comfortable getting the tiny dose into the tiny syringe.!This can be very overwhelming in the beginning and usually is. But that will pass, you will get into a routine and it will all become second nature. I hope your chat goes well. I like the buttering up BF with a good dinner! Nice touch!
In the ideal world the answer would be yes but sometimes there are other things that are influencing the numbers like bounces or pilfering food, seeing a squirrel out the window etc. that could send a number or even a cycle off. So if the fur has a little patch of wet, a fur shot may be the likely reason for off numbers but if there was just a teensy drop on the fur, it could be a partial fur shot or just a drop didn't go in or even some residual insulin from around the barrel top. Wipe the edge of the barrel just under the needle with a Kleenex or paper towel before shooting to avoid this last possibility. You'll never know for absolute sure but it's nice to have a clue there to remind you so you don't rush doing dose increases when a fur shot may be the culprit for off numbers.
You can always get a grapefruit and practice poking it with used syringes to get more used to the feel of the syringe in your hand. And the skin on a grapefruit mimics, to some degree, the resistance you MAY feel when injecting. Nurse's training trick! You can shave a small patch if you think that would help. I'm sure Pepper won't care!
Even if you go right through the ear, a little pressure on the poke spots to stem the bleeding and prevent bruising should be all that is needed.
Ok. Still trying to exhale....yikes, I just hate to make her bleed...poor thing. Thanks so much for being here. You're amazing!She'll forgive you! I know all too well how difficult it can be to see a blood bead on those dark ears! True confessions: Just tested my girl and she flinched which happens very very rarely but it does happen even to a seasoned veteran who BTW used the lancing device. If you do decide to go that route, take the cap off the device otherwise you won't get anywhere near the ear with the needle point and you can't see what you are doing and hold it at a 45 to 60 degree angle to the ear to prevent going through.
Thank-you for this tip! Need all help I can get!Here's another thing you can do: next time you're filling a syringe, expel a drop onto a tissue and smell it. There's a very distinct, strong Bandaid-like smell to insulin. I often sniff the injection area fur on my guy to see if I can smell insulin there. I also run my fingers lightly over the fur. If there's no moisture and no smell you probably don't have a fur shot.
I free hand with the lancet placed in the device as a holder. I wrap Teasel's ear tautly around my index finger on one hand, hold the lancet close and at a slight angle with the other and then give a quick, short jab. That usually works. I still have the odd poke that has to be repeated or I hit the little vein and it's bit messy but I like that I can see exactly where the lancet will enter. Yes, I've gone through his ear more than once but it heals over.
Thank-you, Case. It helps me a lot to hear other's experiences. I will try using the device next time just to see how it feels. Oh boy ...I just can't wait until my anxiety subsides & this becomes easier!!Not a silly question at all! I use the lancing device with the cap on 2. When I first started I used 3 but mine only goes to 4. It's totally personal preference but for me it's easier and I'm too scared to free hand it because it just didn't feel right. Also I worried about poking through, although if this happens a few times its ok. I do think its consistent, but you would probably be just as consistent free handing once you got used to it. Before I tested it on the cat I pricked my own finger with it because I didn't totally get how it worked. To me it looked like the needle wasn't long enough and couldn't possibly poke through the top, but it definitely does! At first its a little hard to tell where it stuck (my cat has black ears too) but you start to see how it works over time and it really becomes second nature. A lot of people say the clicking noise right next to the ear bothers some cats but I'm fortunate my cat doesn't care. Do whatever you're comfortable with and works for you.
A calm business like attitude....that sounds like the best advice ever & I am totally working on it. Trying to give the shot this morning I was a great example of what NOT to do.
I will just record it all in a book until I do more research to figure out how to do a spread sheet.
Awwww....that's so kinof you! You all here are just the nicest, most caring peopleJust reading through the thread and obviously you are being well taken care of by everyone! I just wanted to stop by and add my own hugs to the conversation.
I remember the first week after Lou was diagnosed, especially the first few days were the hardest of my life. I researched until I thought my eyeballs would bleed, but it ultimately helped me feel more comfortable (I always say: Knowledge is Power). The first time I gave my buddy Lou an insulin shot I burst into tears, with body-wracking sobs and everything. I think I scared him silly, haha. I really struggled for a couple of shots afterwards trying to figure out the setting that would work best for us (I tried holding him down on the floor, sneaking in with food, sneaking in when he was sitting next to me on the couch, and finally settled with him in my lap). I was positive this would never work and this guy that I rescued would hate me forever. Thankfully, we have a routine and we've never been closer. Slowly but surely, I have seen him flourish and return to the crazy, wacky Loudogg I know and love. So I know exactly where you're coming from, but it will get better. It's just a matter of getting your routine and confidence down.
anywhere ...I am blown away. I survived the first day of testing & shots but not very gracefully! There was blood, sweat & tears, panic & anxiety. It is so much extremely challenging stuff to deal with all at once but it is inspiring & heartwarming to hear your stories & words of encouragement. Thanks so much.