? New Member-Missed 2 doses

[abbysilverman]

Hi! My name is Abby, I’m 21 and I suck at giving my cat insulin. My sweet boy Hermies is 10 years old and has been diagnosed w diabetes for only about a year. I believe he’s on 3.5 units of vetsulin or petsulin I think it’s called? I am not the primary person who gives him his insulin- only when my mom is out of town. I find a lot of times I “miss” and just end up injecting it on his fur instead of actually getting it inside him (I make the tent between his shoulder blades, when I do get it in I can feel the syringe penetrate his skin and he flinches a little). Anyway I’ve missed two doses in a row, I’m not sure if any got in him at all or none. I called the emergency vet (poor people are probably sick of me by now) and they said he should be ok as long as he’s eating but I’m sooo worried about him lol. He is eating (he’s always hungry) and acting normal, but I just was wondering if any of you guys have gone through similar, or maybe if you have any advice or how to make sure I get it in? I’m worried that tonight I’ll miss again and I don’t know what I would do at that point. I’m fairly confident none got in but I’m never 100% confident which is why I can’t just keep trying again. He does have special diabetic food he eats too. Thank you in advance!

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

Anyone who has been managing their cat's diabetes for more than a minute has given a fur shot. While it's obviously not ideal, it happens. As long as Hermes hasn't recently been treated for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) -- and you would likely know this because he would have been at the vet hospital -- he should be fine.

Just take your time and don't try to rush. Do NOT give a second shot. Even if you saw the insulin fly across the room, you never know how much may have gotten into your cat. You do not want to give a second shot and overdose Hermes.

 

[abbysilverman]

Anyone who has been managing their cat's diabetes for more than a minute has given a fur shot. While it's obviously not ideal, it happens. As long as Hermes hasn't recently been treated for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) -- and you would likely know this because he would have been at the vet hospital -- he should be fine.

Just take your time and don't try to rush. Do NOT give a second shot. Even if you saw the insulin fly across the room, you never know how much may have gotten into your cat. You do not want to give a second shot and overdose Hermes.

Thank you! The thing is that I don’t know if he had ketoacidosis or not- we did have to take him to the ICU a month or so ago bc he was super lethargic for no reason and they mentioned it but I don’t think we ever really found out what was wrong with him. He’s acting his usual self though and eating

 

[abbysilverman]

Thank you! The thing is that I don’t know if he had ketoacidosis or not- we did have to take him to the ICU a month or so ago bc he was super lethargic for no reason and they mentioned it but I don’t think we ever really found out what was wrong with him. He’s acting his usual self though and eating

His diagnosis was “diabetes with resolved ketosis”

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

It does sound as if he has had DKA or at least ketones. I would recommend you test the urine at least couple of times a week for any ketones.
To do that you need a bottle of Ketostix which you can buy from Walmart or a pharmacy for about $10. You then need to collect a urine sample from your kitty and dip the test strip into the urine and compare the colour with the colours on the side of the bottle exactly 15 seconds later. If there is more than a trace you need to tell the vet.
Make sure he is eating well.
Keep asking questions, we are very happy to help