Ok so I'm new at this, it's been 2 weeks my cat seems to be feeling better, she's acting like her old self. That being Said she is becoming wise to the fact that when she gets treats there is a poke coming. This morning she flinched and pulled away the needle flew out and I had to poke her again in turn she pulled away again but not before I hit the plunger... I'm not sure how deep the insulin got? If it went deep enough. What happens if it didn't? I felt her fur after and it was dry but not sure how deep it went? Also does anyone have any tips as to how to give it next time to a cat who is getting wise to the poke???
Injection not deep enough??
- Thread starter jennyb
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squeem3
Member Since 2009
Fur shots happens :smile: Never ever give more insulin if you think a fur shot occured. You don't want risk an OD.
How long are your isulin syringe needles? You can fully insert a 5/16 inch long needle into the tented skin. With a 1/2 inch long needle, I would only stick no more than half of it into the tented skin.
Injecting shouldn't take more than a second to do. Grab skin, stick needle into the tent, and inject. Lots of people let their cat eat while they test the bg level and inject the insulin. The cat is less distracted that way.
How long are your isulin syringe needles? You can fully insert a 5/16 inch long needle into the tented skin. With a 1/2 inch long needle, I would only stick no more than half of it into the tented skin.
Injecting shouldn't take more than a second to do. Grab skin, stick needle into the tent, and inject. Lots of people let their cat eat while they test the bg level and inject the insulin. The cat is less distracted that way.
Pepe's mom
Member Since 2012
I grab different parts of my cats skin, testing for the best tented part. He never feels a thing when I poke him. Insulin shots are the easiest to do. The first few shots are the worst as you get used to it.
C
Carl & Polly & Bob (GA)
Hi Jenny,
When I read "deep " I had to ask...
You're just trying to tent the skin and get it under the skin, right? You aren't going into "muscle", correct?
Carl
When I read "deep " I had to ask...
You're just trying to tent the skin and get it under the skin, right? You aren't going into "muscle", correct?
Carl
Melanie and Smokey
Member Since 2010
Do you give the treat before or after the poke? I'd make sure to give it after so that it registers as a reward for the poke. Most cats learn to look forward to the poke then.
If she is flinching, then maybe something else is going on. When you tent the skin, make sure you don't pinch too tight, and don't jab the needle in too hard. It just needs to be subQ, not a muscle shot so as long as you are through the skin and not feeling moisture on the fur you should be deep enough. If you are taking the insulin straight from the fridge, warm it between your fingers for a few moments before giving it because cold insulin can sometimes sting. Sometimes they are just drama queens too. Smokey was flinching and biting at me for a little while so I tested her and didn't actually do anything, just held the syringe up there and rubbed against her side. Sure enough she did the same flinch and turn to bite. I gave her a little bit more lovin' and chin scratches before the shot and she got over her drama.
If she is flinching, then maybe something else is going on. When you tent the skin, make sure you don't pinch too tight, and don't jab the needle in too hard. It just needs to be subQ, not a muscle shot so as long as you are through the skin and not feeling moisture on the fur you should be deep enough. If you are taking the insulin straight from the fridge, warm it between your fingers for a few moments before giving it because cold insulin can sometimes sting. Sometimes they are just drama queens too. Smokey was flinching and biting at me for a little while so I tested her and didn't actually do anything, just held the syringe up there and rubbed against her side. Sure enough she did the same flinch and turn to bite. I gave her a little bit more lovin' and chin scratches before the shot and she got over her drama.
Figured out what I was doing wrong....I was darting the needle in...apparently this is a technique that I've seen on tv....heck it's how I get my flu shot....but apparently in is more painful then actually slowly putting the needle in. Go figure and as soon as I adopted the new method she became very accepting of it. Now I feel bad....my poor baby. I also found a new treat that she loves, loves and that is also solving another problem she has constipation. Yogurt, 99%free, plain pro biotic, low carb yogurt. That also has made a difference, because it takes her a lot longer to lick the yogurt up than to quickly gobble up treats.
KPassa
Member Since 2012
It also might be where you're injecting her. Are you doing it in her scruff? Even though a majority of vets (including mine) train to inject into the scruff, I soon learned that this is not necessarily the best option as the scruff was really messing with his numbers by affecting the absorption rate of the insulin, not to mention it was highly intrusive to Michelangelo and his eating. I quickly switched to giving it in his flank, alternating sides for each shot. Now, his numbers are more stable, specifically when he hits nadir, and he doesn't seem to even notice the shots AT ALL.
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