New to this and needing some advice

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R

Rosie's Mum

Member Since 2012
Hi,

My cat, Rosie who is 12 next week was diagnosed with diabetes a week or so ago.

She was on 1.5 units of insulin twice day and after having her gluccose curve test done on Wednesday, vet reduced it to 1 unit twice a day.

As this is all new to me (and Rosie) can I ask if the best place to inject insulin is scruff of neck. They shaved it for me so I can find a place to inject a little easier.

However, I have read that this is not the best spot. Can others give me their opinions.

I'm feeling very nervous with needles and Rosie has become vary wary of me at meal time.

Thanks for your help.

Rosie's Mum
 
Hello Rosie's Mum,

Welcome the forum! You'll soon get the hang of insulin injections - and so will Rosie!

I've given my cat insulin shots into the scruff of his neck for over five and a half years and have had no problem with insulin absorption.

Re the injections themselves, I'm not sure where the pics are on this site, but here is a link to some pics from the UK 'Sugarpet' site. It was from these pics that I learned to give shots; http://www.sugarpet.net/injecting.html

I always put a little food down for my cat and then give the shot while he's eating.

It's important to pull the skin right up away from the muscle. It'll be as if you've made a little 'tent'. You inject into that area, not into the firm bit below.

Edited to add: I had a real horror of needles! I thought I'd never be able to give insulin shots. I overcame this by practicing injecting water into oranges!!!

Good luck!

Elizabeth
 
Hi,
What type of insulin are you using, and what sort of numbers has the vet been getting?
Carl
 
Welcome Rosie (and MUM!)

Yes, what insulin are you using?

Also- are you willing to home test? What food are you feeding? And is your favorite color the one that is your cats eyes color :-D ?
 
Hello again, Rosie's Mum,

I've been thinking... It's very easy for those of us who've been giving insulin shots for a while to forget how it was when we started out on this journey. When I gave Bertie his shot this morning I cast my mind back to those early days...

As I recall, there were a number of things that seemed to slightly alarm Bertie about the whole process. Firstly, he wasn't used to me standing over him while he ate. He kept sort of looking over his shoulder at me. So I decided to give him snacks and treats (pure chicken, no carbs) at other times of day - that weren't injection times - and stood over him while he ate them, and then made a big fuss of him. Also, he wasn't used to me pulling the scruff of his neck. So, similarly, I'd do this at other times of day, and give him a treat or scratch his chin or groom him, etc... Basically, I tried to get him to associate these new experiences and sensations with good, positive, happy-making things.

Some people think too that insulin can sting if it's really cold. So I used to roll the syringe in my fingers for a few moments to take the chill off it. These days Bertie is so used to the shots that it doesn't bother him.

Another factor is your own stress about giving the injection. The cat picks up on that. So, try to take a few deep, calming breaths before giving the shot.

A couple of times in the early days I must have jabbed Bertie with the needle, because he miaowed loudly and tried to move out of the way. And the next time I gave a shot he'd be very wary of me. I hated hurting him. And I thought he'd come to hate me. But our cats are very forgiving.

I know this is all new and scary for you at the moment. But I'd like to reassure you that this will not harm the relationship between you and your cat. In fact, most people find that treating their cat's diabetes causes an extraordinarly close bond to develop. Honestly.

Where are you from? There might be someone living near you that you could call for some reassurance. :-)
 
Thanks everyone for your replies and advice.

We are from Sydney, Australia.

Rosie is doing a little better with injections and so am I. I guess it will just take time before its second nature like brushing your teeth :smile:


She is on Lantus and feeding her Science Diet MD as advised by my vet.

We go back next week for a check on her levels. Vet is thinking it may be transient type diabetes so may not need injections long term. Will have to wait and see.

I also have another cat, Pippa who is 18 months old. She is a rescue cat.

Thanks again. Will keep you posted on Rosie's progress.
 
Hi Again

I have been reading a bit on this site about home testing. My vet didn't give me any info about testing at home. Rosie isn't booked into have her curve done again until next week.

Should I be worried that it is that long away to test if insulin is correct. I just thought my vet would have told me if I needed to test her levels sooner.
Thanks again.

Rosie's Mum
 
I would be nervous about giving insulin without testing. We would be glad to help you learn how. Unfortunately many vets either do not know about home testing, or they worry it will be too complicated for their patients to do. We see it as the only way to keep our kitties safe.

I'll see if I can find some members in Sidney who might help.
 
Hi Rosie's Mum

I have asked Danny, who is in Sydney, to get in touch re home testing. It seems that most vets don't mention it and some even actively discourage it :? (the only reason I've ever been able to figure out for that is that they will lose some business if they're not doing your curves). My second vet (had to ditch the first one, his approach to FD nearly cost Vyktor his life :twisted: ) was thrilled that I was home testing. It means you don't need to go to the vet for curves and the results you are getting will be much more accurate as there will be no vet induced stress. I would have been way too terrified of hypoglycemia to give insulin to Vyktor without testing and knowing what his BG was doing.

There are much cheaper and lower carb options for feeding too. If you click on the link to Vyktor's profile I specify the foods available in Australia that are okay for sugar kitties. Your vet pretty much has to recommend the MD as they can only recommend food from the scientifically tested vet list - my vet admitted as much when I took in what I was feeding to compare to the ingredients in the MD and he could not argue with me that what I was feeding didn't have rubbish in it not suited to a cat's natural diet (e.g. corn/rice etc), unlike the MD. I can't remember now exactly what's in the MD but if you read the ingredients you will see items that a cat would not naturally eat.

Serryn
 
Thank you everyone for your replies. I really appreciate them.

Rosie went to vets last night for her athritis shots and also had her blood levels tested. The vet was very happy with her levels. She thinks maybe it won't be long before she is off the insulin. They think it was from stress from her arthritis which may have started it., so they are hopeful its transient diabetes.
She goes back next week for full curve test.

Rosie has been eating normally and seems very well in herself. She has become more used to the injections.

Will keep you posted.

Thanks again,

Rosie's Mum.
 
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