making the injections easier

[redstarfishy]

About a month ago, my cat Loki was diagnosed as diabetic. She hates getting her insulin shot (which i can understand). She has that kitty sense and no matter how I try to be sneaky, she just KNOWS what is coming. Any suggestions to make this go smoother? I've tried giving some cooked chicken before and after, I've tried hiding the syringe, I've tried showing it to her to maybe have her less sensitive to the sight of it, I've tried loosely holding her, I've tried having her sit on the table with very little restraint. Its getting to the point where I almost need to chase her down and that's not what I want to do. Thank you for your help.

 

[Sharon14]

Hi , I'm not sure what to tell you. Maybe try several times throughout the day to go through the motions of giving a shot without actually doing it. For example, pet, then tent the skin, let it go and pet some more. Maybe if you do this at random times she won't know when you will actually shoot. Remember too, to take a deep breath first and try to relax. Cats can definitely sense when we are tense and they will react. Hope this helps.

 

[MrWorfMen's Mom]

I agree with Sharon. Going through the motions at times other than shot time, like dress rehearsals, should desensitize Loki.

Another thought. When you give her shots does she flinch or ripple her skin? Where are giving her shot.... scruff, sides or flank? Some vets recommend using the sides or flank rather than the scruff for better absorption but I found my girl was extra sensitive in those areas while totally oblivious to the shots in the scruff region. Having tried using the different sites for shots, I found no evidence of any absorption issues. If you are using the sides or flank and Loki is finding it uncomfortable, it could be another reason why she is sensitive at the very sight of the needle.

 

[Julia & Bandit (GA)]

Have you tried giving the shot while she's eating? That's how I gave Bandit his shots and he never even noticed because he was so into his breakfast/dinner. Also, what size syringes are you using? I would recommend these if you aren't already using them--the needle is super tiny.

 

[Anitafrnhamer]

I can sympathize. Squeaker was so bad in the beginning that one person had to hold him down while I gave the injection. Here is what I did and after about a month no more problems.

1. Get a pheromone collar. This helps keep them calm. I also used cat nip spray.
2. I chose one specific area to use for injection time. In Squeaker's case he loved to lay in the rocking chair. So I would spray the cat nip spray on the pillow, prepare the insulin, carry him to the chair and lay him down. I would pet him and talk to him and when he relaxed I would inject. Then I would pet and talk to him more. He got to the point that he would watch me draw up the insulin and when I put him in "his chair" he would begin to purr.

Another thing I found helpful was to grab the skin and roll it between my fingers before I gave the injections. I did this in several areas and he seemed to think he was getting a massage which helped him relax.

 

[AZJenks]

It's possible that the injections hurt. To minimize discomfort, make sure the needle bevel is facing up. It's one of the easiest things to overlook, but also one of the tips that can make the biggest difference. Hang in there, you're doing great!

 

[Cat girl]

About a month ago, my cat Loki was diagnosed as diabetic. She hates getting her insulin shot (which i can understand). She has that kitty sense and no matter how I try to be sneaky, she just KNOWS what is coming. Any suggestions to make this go smoother? I've tried giving some cooked chicken before and after, I've tried hiding the syringe, I've tried showing it to her to maybe have her less sensitive to the sight of it, I've tried loosely holding her, I've tried having her sit on the table with very little restraint. Its getting to the point where I almost need to chase her down and that's not what I want to do. Thank you for your help.

Miss kitty has certain areas that hurt too.i try to avoid those areas the best I can.i usually give it on back of neck or along farther on her back.shoulder blade area and sides are too sensitive.she has a lot of extra skin so I can move around a lot.i can pull up a big handful of skin just from her neck lol.

 

[ebuckley]

I agree about checking that the bevel is facing upward. Also, as you get more confident and sure of yourself, firm and fast, that should help. I'm not a diabetic, but friends tell me the shot doesn't hurt after doing it for a while.

When we were first starting, I was trying to test Napa's BG using the lancet pen on her ear...had to poke 2...3...4! times....she flinched and yelped and tried to run away....and then I realized the lancet wasn't even in the pen.

 

[Melanie and Smokey]

What is the size of the syringe you are using? Maybe getting a shorter needle might help.
It usually does get easier on the kitty. My Smokey was a drama queen and would sometimes act like it was hurting. But when she was being that way, I'd not poke her and pretend and she'd still flinch and act like she got poked. Most of the time she didn't even notice and came running at shot time after it became old news (in the beginning she hid under the bed). Sly sometimes bit me, 'cause that's just what Sly liked to do. Deandra is the first one that never really adjusted to the shots. The only thing I could figure out is that she was so small, sickly, and underweight that she felt everything. I would try different spots. Sometimes you will just have a more sensitive spot, see if you can find an area that Loki is not so sensitive in.

 

[Sandi and Toby]

Have you tried giving the shot while she's eating? That's how I gave Bandit his shots and he never even noticed because he was so into his breakfast/dinner.

This works for Whisper as well. He is what you'd call "food motivated" (AKA he is a piggy) and he doesn't usually even notice.

Also, if you feel like you are having to mess around with the flap of skin or the fur, shave a small patch so that you can get in and out quickly, while still having confidence that you got the insulin in. Once you both get better at it, it probably won't be necessary to shave the patch any longer.

Best,
Sandi.

 

[Cat girl]

This works for Whisper as well. He is what you'd call "food motivated" (AKA he is a piggy) and he doesn't usually even notice.

Also, if you feel like you are having to mess around with the flap of skin or the fur, shave a small patch so that you can get in and out quickly, while still having confidence that you got the insulin in. Once you both get better at it, it probably won't be necessary to shave the patch any longer.

Best,
Sandi.

I usually have to blow on the area I'm injecting to get the fur to part since my hands are pretty must full of skin and syringe but most cats don't like being blowed on.mine are very easy going about everything thank god.thought in beginning i might have to shave or clip an area shorter with scissors but blowing works for me so far.

 

[bgenick]

About a month ago, my cat Loki was diagnosed as diabetic. She hates getting her insulin shot (which i can understand). She has that kitty sense and no matter how I try to be sneaky, she just KNOWS what is coming. Any suggestions to make this go smoother? I've tried giving some cooked chicken before and after, I've tried hiding the syringe, I've tried showing it to her to maybe have her less sensitive to the sight of it, I've tried loosely holding her, I've tried having her sit on the table with very little restraint. Its getting to the point where I almost need to chase her down and that's not what I want to do. Thank you for your help.

I feed most of my cat's food 1/2 hour before insulin, per vet's instructions. But I don't give him quite all of it. When it's time for insulin, I give him the last bit of food. He eats while I give the insulin. I close him in a bathroom for feeding, so I don't have to chase him down. I put the plate in exactly the same place every time. He knows when he comes to that spot he is going to get food.