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Charlotte Wash

Member Since 2023
Good morning!
Really glad this forum is here! Just wanted to see if anyone else has trouble giving their kitty their insulin shot. I just found out this past week that my kitty Mila is diabetic, and have started her on Vetsulin insulin, once a day. She absolutely hates it, and will run and hide. I try to give the shot to her when she's eating, distracted, but she is really smart. She has quickly come to recognize when I come at her with the needle. I hate this. Does anyone have advice about how to give insulin to a very nervous kitty? Thanks so much!!
Charlotte
North Carolina
 
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Hi Charlotte! I am relatively new here too.

There are some really experienced members here who can help point you to some detailed info and tips.

Speaking as a newbie a couple of things helped with our cat:

1. We give the shot while he's eating (wet food)-- as you have been doing.
2. We wait until he's fully engaged and enjoying his food before approaching with the needle (everything is set up and ready to go, but we don't start bringing it towards him and tenting the skin until he's really into his food).
3. I flatten the wet food out in the dish with a spoon to slow him down as much as possible, otherwise he inhales it in seconds. Flattening it makes him have to lick it which distracts him for longer.
4. My husband helps gently hold him from the back to keep him from moving around too much- he has a tendency to circle around his bowl quite a bit so it used to feel like riding a rodeo sometimes when the shot was in progress and he started moving!
5. Doesn't sound like this is an issue for you, but if you're having trouble seeing you could try trimming or shaving the fur in a few different spots to get a better view of the skin.

It takes some practice and trying different tactics to see what works for you and your cat. Not every shot will go smoothly...but it will get easier!
 
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Charlotte Wash said:
Good morning!
Really glad this forum is here! Just wanted to see if anyone else has trouble giving their kitty their insulin shot. I just found out this past week that my kitty Mila is diabetic, and have started her on Vetsulin insulin, once a day. She absolutely hates it, and will run and hide. I try to give the shot to her when she's eating, distracted, but she is really smart. She has quickly come to recognize when I come at her with the needle. I hate this. Does anyone have advice about how to give insulin to a very nervous kitty? Thanks so much!!
Charlotte Wash,
North Carolina
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Hi Charlotte first off insulin should be given twice a day every 12 hours
Vetsulin isn't the greatest insulin for cats ,it's used for dogs
But you can see how it goes
We usually recommend Lantus or Prozinc
Vetsulin hits hard and fast and doesn't last that long
I hope you are home testing
Here is a post that might help: Testing and Shooting Tips And yes, you will get better at this over time. :bighug:

If you would like to set up what we call your signature it's info about our kitties at the end of everyones post in gray
Hi if you are having trouble setting it up this might make it easier for you
signature
click on your name up top above where it says sesrch and then tap on the word signature and add this information
  • Add info we need to help you:
    • Caregiver & kitty's name
    • DX: Date
    • Name of Insulin (do not include dose or frequency)
    • Name of your meter
    • Diet: "LC wet" or "dry food" or "combo"
    • Dosing: TR or SLGS or Custom (if applicable)
    • DKA or other recent health issue (if applicable)
    • Acro, IAA, or Cushings (if applicable)
    • Spreadsheet link. Please put the signature link on the bottom line of your signature information, on its own, so it is easy to find.
    • Please do not put any information about your location in the signature for security reasons. If you wish to add your country location, please add it to your profile.
Be sure to click the 'Save Changes' button at the bottom.

We also use a spreadsheet to track our cats BG so we know how the insulin is working and how low they are dropping so we know when to either increase or decrease the dose
We adjust the dose by 0.25 units at a time . We don't adjust the dose by going by the Pre Shots

About the spreadsheet
AMPS - means AM Pre Shot the first test you take in the AM ,you need to withhold food 2 hours before testing so it's not food influenced

Units is where you would put how much insulin you gave
+1 is one hour after giving insulin if you were to test then that's where you enter his _BG number
+2 two hours after giving insulin. ditto
+3 and so on until you get to PMPS - PM pre shot withhold food 2 hours before testing

+1 same as you do for AM cycle

We don't give times because we are all in different time zones that's why we use the + numbers
I'll give you the link to set it up , if you have trouble just ask and we have a member who will gladly do it for you


You can look at any members spreadsheet to see what it looks like, it's at the end of everyone's signature just tap on it

Here is the link if you want to give it a try
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-create-a-spreadsheet.241706/

You can read about Vetsulin here
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/beginners-guide-to-caninsulin-vetsulin.231587/
 
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Welcome to FDMB.

Just a head's up. I edited your original post to remove your last name. While we don't usually get spammers, it happens and I'd like to keep your privacy protected.

To consolidate some of the information you've been given, this is a link to our introductory post, helping us to help you. It contains information on setting up a spreadsheet and information on what to include in your signature. The signature info has some basic facts so we don't keep asking you the same questions over and over again. We use a spreadsheet to track your cats progress but that's assuming you'll be home testing -- something that we strongly encourage.

Vetsulin is a fast acting insulin. Because it does act quickly, you're encouraged to have fed your cat 20 - 30 min prior to giving an insulin shot. Also, you didn't mention how much insulin your vet prescribed.

What I would suggest is that you help your kitty to associate a shot with something positive. If you have fed your cat and then wait 20 - 30 min, you could give your cat a treat before and after you give a shot. The more you can associate treats and shots (or home testing), the more likely you won't have a cat that's skittish about getting poked.

As Diane mentioned, cats have a fast metabolism and insulin should be dosed twice a day (every 12 hours). I do wonder if your cat is reacting to the one dose and then feeling less than great because he's back in diabetic numbers after about 6 - 8 hours -- the amount of time that Vetsulin is active in your cat's system. You may want to do some homework and read over the guidelines for treating diabetes from the American Animal Hospital Assn. Because Vetsulin acts quickly and doesn't last 12 hours, it's no longer a recommended insulin for feline diabetes. Lantus (glargine) and Prozinc are what the AAHA recommends.
 
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