Injecting a long hair cat - tips tricks?

[Karrie and Maverick]

We are about a week into injections with a break in between due to vet instructions. Anyhoo - started again a few days ago and trying to figure out his curve. I feel after injections for fluid and smell for insulin (I was told it has a distinct smell). Today we did his Lantus injection but his numbers kept rising. So I assume I did a fur shot or maybe am injecting wrong some how.

Any tips for injecting a long haired cat. I lift his fur up so it creates an indented triangle tent which I feel with my finger. I blow on his fur, inject the needle and push the insulin.

I'm injecting on the side behind the front legs. I was told the scruff is not an ideal place due to blood flow. He is a big boy 15.5 lbs - Main Coon Mix. He has belly fat but his back is not fat. He also has leg stiffness and some muscle loss in his hind end due to arthritis so I don't want to inject his back end.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Sue and Oliver (GA)]

Oliver was a Maine Coon, so I know what you mean about the hair! We always shot in the scruff of the neck. Pulled up enough so we could see skin and then poked it in. I have heard of people who have the area where they want to shoot, shaved. Here is some info; there might be something that will help you. http://felinediabetes.com/injections.htm

 

[Blue]

Shots in the scruff are fine; most people shoot there as it's convenient - just give shot while cat is eating.

Neither of mine like flank shots. I tried once for Shadoe and she FREAKED on me; she has no loose skin and is built like a football on legs. Oliver does not even like his sides being touched so forget about shots there.
When I adopted Oliver, he arrived with a small area shaved on his scruff; I assume that was for convenience of shots when at the vet office after being left there.

So long as you are tenting the skin before shots, and don't feel any wetness, the shot was likely fine. The high numbers don't mean the shot was a fur shot; it's likely just not the right dose yet.

Just keep recording your test results and you will soon see how the insulin is working. Just watching your cat will let you know if he is feeling better from the insulin. You'll see the cat improve before the numbers improve.

 

[BJM]

You might use a wide toothed comb and part the fur along the area where you plan to pull up the skin.

 

[Karrie and Maverick]

That's a good idea also. Thank you.

I've read that injection sticky - some of the user tips below make no sense to me. I'll have to watch some injection videos now that I'm confident I can do this. Initially I was worried they would get me really anxious about doing them so I waited for my vets instructions.

I did the injection tonight and I could feel no wetness at all. I'll keep an eye on his numbers and wish they'll show a downward trend soon.

Thanks guys.

 

[Pat and Skipper (GA)]

I noticed that you took a break from shots; so now you are rebuilding the insulin depot. His numbers will get better when his shed has been refilled.
You seem to be doing fine with the injection process and it will get easier with time.