help with giving insulin shots

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smokey&Molly

Member Since 2013
I'm ten days into giving my cat Smokey insulin shots.

He takes i unit twice a day.

He was ok at first, but has gotten wise to the shots.

At first I could just put him on the couch and give him a shot and tell him he was a good boy and he was fine.

Recently, he's gotten wise to the shots. He tries to get away and knows know if I finding some skin for the shot, a shot is coming. He tries to get away now.

Today, He jumped and the shot didn't go in. I got him again and I think I got the shot in, but he jumped and the needle came out bent! That never happened before. I think he got the shot, but I don't know.

He hates his testing and is hating his shots. are there any suggestions so I can make sure he gets his shots without running away? I tried it while he was eating and that worked twice, now he's wise to that.

My cat seems very wise to the treatments, isn't cuddly and trusting, but he can be very sweet on his own terms and I love Smokey and want him to have a better experience. If I had a second person holding it would be much easier, but right now I am doing it by myself since my friend is out of town. any ideas for a cat like Smokey?

It stresses me out and makes me worry if I don't know if he got his shot or not.

The vet said just give him the next shot due.
 
I was doing that, now he runs from me when he sees me right after he eats. I don't know if there is a nice way to confine them so you can get the shot. one day he was up against some furniture and he couldn't move and I got the shot then. It just keeps changing what he lets me do.

I might try to put him up against the arm of the couch and give the shot tonight and see if that works.

it's stressful.
 
Hi there, and welcome:) If you partially missed or gave what we call a "fur shot" don't shoot again, just wait until the next shot time. You can't be sure the shot didn't get any in, and you don't want to risk a hypo. I think everyone on here has had a "did that go in" shot and it's best to just leave it, and keep kitty safe ;-)

I'm sorry about the rough time giving insulin you're having, I remember how hard it was. I had to do it alone too and watched tons of videos online. The best advice I can offer (maybe you are already) is to give low carb treats before and after (or just after) like freeze dried chicken and such. I ended up putting my cat Chyna on the kitchen counter between the microwave and the sink (at chest level) where there wasn't much room to maneuver and she isn't allowed on the counter so she was a bit confused. I did it as fast and as calmly as I could as she hates being confined, but I think it was the treats that settled it :lol: . I've seen others use an end of a couch like you mentioned, or armchair. Some people do it while their cat is eating. It does get easier, as you both get into the routine :-D I hope that will help you some :smile:
 
One thing to remember is they feel your stress. If you think this is a big, scary thing, they feed into it. If you aren't already, work to make yourself calm and matter of fact when you are doing it. It can make a big difference. Soon this will be routine for both of you and you'll hardly remember what it was like in the beginning.
 
I used to stress out when starting out with my Buddy and someone suggested talking through the steps as you do them and tell Smokey about how you are helping him through this treatable disease - it really helped us get through the "early days".

Tony
 
I had a terrible time at first with the insulin shots, never thought I would be able to do it by myself, The first week or two, I was chasing Katie all over the place, she wouldn't let me do it, ran from me swatted me, it was tough.

I managed Katie's 2x daily injection (by myself) with this routine- About 20 minutes after her meal, I announced it's time for "chicken and a shot". I prepare the shot, crumble up freeze dried chicken on a plate and set it on the counter (our "shot spot). WHILE she was eating her treat, I did the injection. It became a routine and she expected it. I always chose the same shot for shooting, and don't chase her around. On the rare occasion she refused to get up to the "shot spot", I placed her there and immediately give her the chicken and shot.
Hope this helps. Try using a treat he absolutely loves and cannot resist.
 
katiesmom said:
I managed Katie's 2x daily injection (by myself) with this routine- About 20 minutes after her meal, I announced it's time for "chicken and a shot". I prepare the shot, crumble up freeze dried chicken on a plate and set it on the counter (our "shot spot). WHILE she was eating her treat, I did the injection. It became a routine and she expected it. I always chose the same shot for shooting, and don't chase her around. On the rare occasion she refused to get up to the "shot spot", I placed her there and immediately give her the chicken and shot.
Hope this helps. Try using a treat he absolutely loves and cannot resist.
Click to expand...

I like katiesmom's idea. Using a treat and a consistent 'shot spot' would "train" Smokey into a well-liked routine. :smile:

Be calm and Smokey will be calm. :YMHUG:
 
I really like Katiesmom's idea.
Buddy gets a towel on the dining room table and routinely jumps up himself. Having a designated spot helps. Also, we learned to remove his food about 5pm so that he really wanted to eat fresh wet food at 6pm (at which time I would test and shoot while he ate). But ECID, don't be afraid to try new things with Smokey.
Tony
 
thanks guys. I started giving smokey tuna and then he just lets me give him the shot. He loves the tuna and doesn't care what I am doing. I hope he continues to love the tuna. I just did it at the bowl after he ate his canned food. It's worked twice with no problems.

He was fine for the first ten days then started getting wise to the shots. I am praying the tuna will last as a treat as long as he needs the shots.
 
YAY !!!! Glad to hear this!

If he decides that tuna becomes boring....try going back to a previous treat. Good possibility that eventually he won't even need an enticement to get his shot. cat_pet_icon

Odd thing....I always thought testing was a hassle in the beginning.....shots were the easy part. But then again ECID (every cat is different). :smile:
 
the shots were super easy for the first ten days, then Smokey got wise.

The testing is so hard with him. I need a helper and he has to have tuna or you can't do it. He has to be eating tuna while you prick his ear.
 
If there are times you can't get a test, diligently monitoring intake and elimination by measuring food and water, and observing the amount of urine and fecal output can aid you in assessing how he's doing. Urine ketone and glucose testing indicate what has happened since the previous void.

See my signature link Secondary Monitoring Tools for details of these and other health indicators.
 
I give my cat his shot when he is eating his wet food. He loves the stuff so much that I could probably do anything while he is eating it and he wouldn't car or notice. It's also what the vet suggested doing saying "they usually won't even notice if you do it then". I have never tried it any other way since I figure I will end in the OP's situation.
 
I test on the same part of the ear..it almost seems like he doesn't feel it much anymore. I call him over..put the metert on the floor and he comes and lays down. I learned turn the beep off the meter( it scares him).. And I prick his ear without the click..I just use a plain lancet and put a cotton ball behind his ear when I prick..you'll feel it prick..its hard to explain. With shots, my cat lays down in the same spot. I test him..feed him..then he gets his shot as he eats. I've seen ppl wrap their cat in a towel with an exposed area and give needles for really devilish cats. I hope this helps..
 
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