Shot help needed...Stewart just not having it.

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Thurbers

Member Since 2013
Hi,

In my last post for help I noted that sweet ginger tabby Stewart was reacting to his shots. Even when I could get the needle in without his reacting or seeming to notice, the moment I injected, he would flinch and let me know this was not good. And while trying to give him his shot he had become uncooperative and had even hissed at me. He is not, or wasn't a hisser.

Things have gotten worse. I had to miss a couple of shots. (Ran away, nipping) And then I hit upon the bright idea of giving him his handful of innova evo dry and while he was eating to give him his shot. That worked for a couple of days. He has realized that if I touch him, a shot may be coming. I've battled him down, but this morning he nipped at me this way. After the shots were missed, I couldn't seem to get him below 300, after he had been much closer to normal just before the 'break'. His last couple of mid point shots have been in the mid 200's. (Still not good, but so much better). He cannot miss any more insulin. I just do not know how I'm going to get it into him.


The only thing I haven't tried is the roll method. A couple of people have indicated that has worked when nothing else did. That may not help with the possible stinging, but who knows. I was playing with him trying to figure out how to do it, but I'm not getting it. Are there visuals anywhere, that I can see? I tried searching youtube, but no luck. Any added instruction in this is

Pat
 
I've never had a problem giving shots. I used to use the scruff for years. I would pull up some skin and shoot in the tent that was created. For the past few years I've been shooting in the sides. What angle are you shooting at? Because if you are shooting with the needle straight into the cat at a 45 degree angle (I think if is), then you might be hitting some muscle and that might sting.

resource.aspx
 
I was worried that I had done that, and rechecked myself. Reviewed the videos, etc. Shoot into the tent following the line of the spine, at the scruff where I can get a clear tent. I did manage one shot in the flank area, and that one followed the line of the body into the tent.

I'm not saying that in the couple of attempts to get an injection into a struggling cat, I didn't hit muscle. But I'm pretty positive that the relaxed shots before that struggle the norm that stung weren't.
 
Here's a link to some information Marje put together. There's a good pic of how to roll the skin up for a shot. I hope you and Stewart can work it out. It sucks once they're on to your games. Too smart for their own good...

Testing and shooting tips
 
Mix it up. Never give the shot the same way twice. Maybe while eating food one time, petting him another time, sitting on the floor and relaxing another time. Try different things, and keep changing them so he does not get too wary.

Also, playing with him 10-15 minutes before shot time may help to settle him down and make him ready to cooperate and eat his food and be calmer for the shot.
 
Tonight went better. I delayed the shot a little. And then called him over for pettings and some brushing. He still flinched for the actual injection but no hissing or nipping. Both of us were much happier. The syringe is 3/10 30 gauge short needle (3/8").

Oops spoke too soon. Vomit moment. And the attempted reading might have been corrupted with my blood. (He jerked and I jerked, it wasn't pretty). The reading was low but not hypo level low. I couldn't get a second reading on him, resorted to one of mine was only 8 points off from the previous reading. Good points - much of the vomit wasn't chewed or digested - could be speed eating hork. He immediately wanted more food. Has gone to his new favorite place, which involves leaping. And promptly did some grooming.

Will be keeping a close eye on him for the next few hours.

Thanks for the ideas, will check out the visual aids AND keep mixing it up.
 
Just an update to say the night went fine. There was peeing and pooping and purring and grooming, with only a little playing. Probably just binge eating horkage.
Although I will keep an eye on the nine lives chicken situation. (I mix foods up for variety, cost and carb levels). I found acceptable carb level nine lives, so bought a batch to try. Since that was also new, it is also a possibility.
 
For a sec when I read this I thought it was you that vomited.. lol.

Short needles are good. Sounds like distraction is the way to go

Wendy
 
Pat,

Would you be willing to add some info to your user control panel, profile tab, edit signature to help us out a bit?

Things like your first name, cat's name age and sex, diagnosis date, meter used for testing, insulin used, any complicating medical conditions your cat has, foods you feed are helpful to us to see at a glance to your signature. We surely would appreciate the information. Thanks.
 
It could also be the cold of the insulin from the fridge. Try warming up the syringe between your fingertips before giving it to him.
 
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