Donut twitches after insulin shot

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Puddles' Person

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Does anyone else's cat twitch after their shot? I've noticed that after her shot, Donut kind of twitches along her back and sides and then tries to run away and hide under a chair or something like maybe she's stinging. I have another cat who has hyperesthesia and it's not like that. This is short-lived and in response to her injection. She started on BCP-PZI last week. Just curious if anyone else had experienced this with their kitty. Thanks.

Molly
 
Yep, yep! Mikey would twitch and his skin would roll constantly when he was on Lantus. In fact, I've often suspected that with all of his side-effects while on Lantus (a lot more than just the twitching and rolling), he had insulin-induced hyperesthesia (it was non-stop, 24/7). Since switching to Levemir, all of those other issues have disappeared, however, he still gets the skin twitches, but usually only right after I've given him a shot. It might have to do with the cold insulin or just with having fluid under his skin. I haven't really figured it out yet.
 
Not sure this will help, but do you warm the insulin in your hand for a few minutes before shooting? I got a cold flu shot once and it hurt! What size needle? Sometimes the smallest gauge helps with sensitivity.
 
Hi KPassa,
Thanks so much for your response. I never thought of the cold insulin possibility but I think that is probably a big part of it. That and maybe just a weird feeling of fluid being shot under their skin, as you said. So glad Mikey doesn't have all those side effects any more. Boy, for him to have them 24/7 it must have been really annoying for him and distressing for you. I was worried about the twitching but it sounds like it's pretty harmless. Thanks again.

Molly
 
Hi Sue,
I think I need to spend a bit longer warming the insulin. I always just roll it the minimum time so probably am shooting it too cold and it probably is really uncomfortable. Poor Donut--her mom sure has a lot to learn :sad: I just started with the U40 needles a week ago when we switched to the PZI. Before I was using U100. Come to think of it, I don't believe Donut reacted as sharply when I was using the U100. But I wonder if the BCP PZI can be given in a U100 syringe. I wonder why they prescribed a U40 for the PZI. Could you advise me on this? Thanks so much.

Molly
 
Hi Sue,
Yes, the PZI is U40. Thanks so much for the link to the chart. Sorry to be dumb, but the U100 gauge needles are thinner, right? I may give that a try with Donut and see if it makes any difference. Thanks again.

Molly and Donut
 
Any of the needles can be thin. You look for a 30-31 gauge. Some are 29 gauge which is a little larger.

The real reason we use the conversion chart is so U40 users can dose smaller amounts - like .1, .2, .4 units rather than trying to eyeball .25 on the U40 needles.
 
Unless you are using about five or more units of insulin or keep the syringes in the fridge, the room-temperature syringe will warm the insulin enough to avoid a "cold" insulin reaction.
 
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