Just gave first shot... Im not sure I did it right

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elizhope

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So today is our Day one on Lantus. Im supposed to give 1 u every 12 hours. I tested her levels (322) then gave her her fancy feast and filled the syringe. It was difficult to know i was doing the right dose. 3/10 29 gauge is the type of needle they gave me to use. The 1u dose was the very first itty bitty line. Honestly, i could barely see it. I filled and and squirted it mid air just to see how much we were talking about here... it looked like a very small drop. So i filled it again, crossing my fingers i did it right. Then i went to give it to her, in her scruff. I have no idea if I did it right... I think i didnt push hard enough to get that itty bitty drop out. I couldnt tell. How will I know if it worked? When i was looking at the needle after i finished, i though i saw some still there.... sigh...

Also, I havent been using that control solution for my reliOn meter. I guess you have to call and order it?? Do you guys use it?
 
It really doesn't feel like much as you are giving such a small amount so its easy to second guess yourself.

You can always shave (or get the vet to shave) a spot on the scruff so you can get used to the feeling and so you can see if some didn't make it in.

Jen
 
First, love the picture. What a sweetie.

You most likely did fine. If you give a fur shot, you can usually smell or feel insulin on their fur.

This WILL get easier with time.
 
Is there a better needle for the small doses? I seriously can barely tell the difference between the 1u and the end of the syringe... it felt like in order to get that microscopic drop out i would have had to push down pretty hard to squeeze it out. But being my first time, i just pushed lightly (i think) so i wondered if i even got it out of the needle...

When should I test her levels again and what am i looking for to know if i did it right?

How do you shave a spot and where at?

Thanks everyone :) Sorry ive got so many questions
 
You need U100 needles with 1/2 unit markings. Here is a sticky with pictures: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/view ... =9&t=18139

You can test every couple of hours, but especially around 5-6 hours after the shot. As you have probably read in the stickies on Lantus, it takes several days to build up the shed so you may not see big action with the numbers at first: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=150

It will be very helpful for you and for us if you set up a spreadsheet to keep track of your numbers: Setting up a spreadsheet

The only way to help with this steep learning curve at the beginning is to ask questions. Keep them coming. :mrgreen:
 
We have been having some problems but I thought they were fixed. Try one more time - click on the spreadsheet itself when it comes up in Goggle. Wait at least several minutes for it to completely load. Then pick Use this Template and wait again. It has been loading really slowly.

Both the US and World versions worked for me this am, but they are both loading very slowly.
 
Not sure that this will work any better: https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key ... WNGc&hl=en It is listed as public to the web so you will want to follow the steps to change that. (if it works) You do need to be signed on to Google.

I use a Mac and Safari. Was having a lot of probems last week, but it is working this week.
 
When you're new, I think the first couple shots and tests are the shakiest. Soon it becomes old habit. Saw you got your spreadsheet up and it looks like you're seeing a little drop in BG already at +2, so that probably means the insulin went in. Yeah! For some kitties a little insulin goes a long way, so, even though the dose seems small, it can make a big difference. You've probably heard, "start low and go slow." You're doing great!
 
Just gave shot #2. I think im the worst shot giver ever. Im not sure I am doing it right. I need shot tips...

When I pull up the scruff, do I just stick it in? Or am I aiming for something? How do I know how far to stick it in? help :( :?:

And I realized I was reading the syringe wrong this morning. I think I only gave her like .25 instead of the 1 unit.
 
I have yet to do my first insulin shot, but I have been giving subcutaeneous fluids for quite some time. It's the same spot, so I'll see if I can help:

What I do is massage the area between his shoulderblades, gathering a fold of skin in the middle of his back. It relaxes my cat when I do this, and it's pretty soothing for me, too!
gently I raise the gathered skin, slipping the needle below the apex of the fold, and well above the spine.
You may feel a little resistence and then 'give' as your needle penetrates the skin (Depending on the guage, I would guess)
Your cat may also give you a reaction - like jerking away, or the skin may have an involuntary 'pull-away' reaction like horses do when a fly has irritated their flank.

I found this video. In it is a great shot of the 'pull-away' reaction. It looks kind've like the fur does a little shiver-roll.

If you're not getting any reaction from your cat, the narrator in the video also indicates the it's best to slip the needle in with the bevel up for a smoother slide. Turning it bevel side down might give you that confidence-building 'ouch' reaction, if that helps in the beginning.

That being said, like others have indicated his values decrease after giving insulin, so it looks like you don't have to worry and you're doing great! yay you and kitty :)
 
It takes a little practice to give shots and prick ears, but you'll get it. I'm kind of squeamish and never thought I would be doing either to my kitty, but I learned. I used the longer 1/2 in syringes as that seemed to help me know better when the needle went in. I could kind of feel it puncture the skin when I poked the pinch of fur. I tried the shorter, thinner syringes, but newbie me had a harder time so went back to 29 gauge 1/2 inch syringes. My cat actually noticed the shot less when I had the thicker, longer syringe cause I fumbled less with it. My other trick was to give the injection when my cat was eating. He was happily distracted with his food and would hold still and not notice the shot. :smile: Good luck!
 
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