? How do you know if you're shooting into the skin by accident?

[Katcat]

Hi all, I'm revisiting information about shooting technique because Minion's been running some high numbers and I'm not sure if it could be something I'm doing. I have been giving his shot in the scruff/shoulder blades area by pinching up a tent and injecting toward the base of that. I push until I feel the skin break, then I shoot, and when I withdraw the needle there's really not any resistance, making me question whether he got it or not. There have been a few times where I've smelled insulin on him, and one time there was a wet spot so definite fur shot, but I'm wondering if there is a trick to knowing whether or not you're shooting under the skin or into the skin by accident. Any words of wisdom?

Thoughts on regular needles vs short needles? I'm currently using regular but wondered if the short ones are better.

 

[Wulfwin]

If you inject into the skin, I would expect Minion to react physically - I'm pretty sure I gave Rain 2 shots into her skin by accident instead of underneath, and both times she flinched badly when I injected the insulin and tried to bolt (she typically wouldn't react at all to the injection). Her BG numbers stayed noticeably high during both of those cycles as well. In my case, I think I injected at too flat of an angle; I concentrated on injecting at more of a 45 degree angle and I didn't have any more problems.

With regards to regular vs short needles, I think that's a matter of personal preference. I know lots of people like short, but personally I had problems with fur shots when I used them for my first diabetic cat Jason (I'm used to using longer needles, and I think I was overcompensating). Longer needles work much better for me. If you're having problems, it might be worth trying the short and seeing if it works better for you.

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

Another technique you might try is the "roll" method....instead of making a tent, you grab a handful of fur in your less dominant hand (left hand if you're right handed) between the thumb and forefinger....then "roll" your wrist to pull the skin away from the muscle

Where the fur has a "break", aim and shoot....it's worked a lot better for us than the tent method ever did.

It's kind of hard to describe, but hopefully this picture will help illustrate the idea

 

[Katcat]

I concentrated on injecting at more of a 45 degree angle and I didn't have any more problems

I'll try that! I'm sure a vet told me to try to go in more parallel to his back. Concentrating on a 45 degree agree may be just the thing I need to do!

 

[Katcat]

It's kind of hard to describe, but hopefully this picture will help illustrate the idea

Thank you for the idea! The picture is very helpful

 

[jayla-n-Drevon]

ECID --Dr could care less about injections .... maybe try another side of the stuff? We can only test the left ear