Should I or not?
- Thread starter Esi
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Esi
Member
Thank you! Question: someone wrote in the reviews that the needles are huge. "Like sticking my cat with a harpoon!" Do you think they're huge? Any issues using them?
Jenna Josie
Active Member
No, though I don’t really have anything to compare them to. These needles are the same capacity, gauge, and length as the full-unit-markings syringes the vet gave us when Josie was first diagnosed.
We shoot while she’s eating, and nine times out of ten, she doesn’t even notice. I think the two tricks are inserting the syringe at a 45 degree angle and, most importantly, making sure that the bevel is facing up so that the sharp point is what’s penetrating the skin first. (Also, now that her weight is back up, we use the “roll” vs the “tent” method for pulling her skin up.)
Someone else with more knowledge and experience may have other thoughts, but this gauge doesn’t feel like a harpoon to us!
Kris & Teasel
Very Active Member
I use syringes of this gauge and needle length and have no problem. Yes to making sure the bevel is facing up and make your poke quick and sure. Occasionally you might feel a little skin resistance but push past it. 
Esi
Member
Thank you. The syringes I am currently using have a very thin needle. I never even noticed a bevel/sharp point but Hemi has flinched a bit, a few times, while getting stuck. I went and used a magnifying glass and sure enough, there is a bevel! lol
I'll have to look up this "roll" technique. Never heard of it.
I'll be ordering them. Thanks again.
I'll have to look up this "roll" technique. Never heard of it.
I'll be ordering them. Thanks again.
Kris & Teasel
Very Active Member
Here's a tip I learned online a long time ago: hold the syringe needle under a bright light and rotate it until you see the light reflecting off that flat bevel. Take a Sharpie marker and make a little mark on the barrel below that flat side near the needle (but not ON it of course, on the barrel plastic) so you have a visual guide when you're injecting. That makes keeping the bevel side up easy peasy.
Esi
Member
GREAT IDEA!!! I already use readers and fill under light but never noticed the beveled edge before. I will definately do this. Thank you!
Jenna Josie
Active Member
Esi
Member
Not sure if I should post this here but figured since some of the info shared here pertaining to Hemi might be useful, I'd go ahead.
I increased Hemi's insulin by .25 this AM, after 6 cycles @ .50. I have been feeding him FF 3 times per day and Friskys once, in the evening.
Last night and now again this morning, he has vomited but in addition this AM, he also has diarrhea. I noticed a dark (blackish/gray) spot on the carpet and it smelled kind of irony (sp?) or like a tin can. I always take the wet food out of the can and never store it in the can but there have been some food changes he may not be used to.
I have been feeding all three of cats essentially the same wet food but what is new to them, is liver. I have been splitting one can of FF classic chicken and liver between the three of them every day at lunch time, along with a can of regular FF classic chicken. They all gobble it up! Other than that, though, nothing else has changed.
Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions for what I can do or give him that might help?
I increased Hemi's insulin by .25 this AM, after 6 cycles @ .50. I have been feeding him FF 3 times per day and Friskys once, in the evening.
Last night and now again this morning, he has vomited but in addition this AM, he also has diarrhea. I noticed a dark (blackish/gray) spot on the carpet and it smelled kind of irony (sp?) or like a tin can. I always take the wet food out of the can and never store it in the can but there have been some food changes he may not be used to.
I have been feeding all three of cats essentially the same wet food but what is new to them, is liver. I have been splitting one can of FF classic chicken and liver between the three of them every day at lunch time, along with a can of regular FF classic chicken. They all gobble it up! Other than that, though, nothing else has changed.
Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions for what I can do or give him that might help?
Esi
Member
No, no diarrhea before. Loose, yes. But nothing like this. He's leaking this blackish/gray, metallic smelling liquid. I believe It's feces because I cleaned him up and there was definately diarrhea occurring.
Well, I went from a mostly dry diet to 100% wet. I have never fed liver before so thought I'd try the FF chic/liver and they all love it so I started feeding it once per day, over the past few days. The metallic smell is what makes me wonder if the problem is the change in diet+liver?
Esi
Member
Hemi's BG has barely changed since yesterday PMPS w/out insulin shot. 172/174.
He was not feeling well (diarrhea/vomiting in the am) and only ate a little bit afterward so I decided to let him rest and forego testing/insulin.
He's feeling a little better this am but still a bit cranky and tired. He went right back to lay down after he ate about 1/2 of what he normally does.
Not sure what to do? Shoot the .75, Shoot a lower unit#? Or let him be until pm shot?
He was not feeling well (diarrhea/vomiting in the am) and only ate a little bit afterward so I decided to let him rest and forego testing/insulin.
He's feeling a little better this am but still a bit cranky and tired. He went right back to lay down after he ate about 1/2 of what he normally does.
Not sure what to do? Shoot the .75, Shoot a lower unit#? Or let him be until pm shot?
Kris & Teasel
Very Active Member
I'd be concerned if he's not feeling well, not eating well and not getting insulin. That can be a recipe for ketone development. Are you testing his urine for ketones with human strips from the pharmacy? I strongly recommend you start today. If he's no better by this afternoon I'd call the vet for advice. There's little margin for error with a diabetic kitty.
Re insulin: he needs it so I'd try a small dose of 0.5 u. If he eats even a teaspoon or two of food by insulin onset (+2 to +3) he should be OK.
In case you haven't seen this:
Here are some tips on how to do urine ketone testing (VERY important if BG is high and kitty isn't eating well!):
Re insulin: he needs it so I'd try a small dose of 0.5 u. If he eats even a teaspoon or two of food by insulin onset (+2 to +3) he should be OK.
In case you haven't seen this:
Here are some tips on how to do urine ketone testing (VERY important if BG is high and kitty isn't eating well!):
- put the end of the test strip right in his urine stream as he's peeing
- slip a shallow, long handled spoon under his backside to catch a little pee - you don't need much
- put a double layer of plastic wrap over his favourite part of the litter box and poke some depressions in it too catch pee.
Esi
Member
Thank you. Hemi is doing better. Eating. No vomiting or diarrhea today. I only have glucose strips right now but have ketone strips on my list.
I gave him .50 after PMPS of 207. He ate well. Now it seems he may be constipated.
I followed him to the litter box after he ate this evening and he couldn't move his bowels. Can you or anyone else suggest something I can give him? Olive oil maybe? (Works for me but not sure if It's safe for kitties.) I have been adding some water to his wet food but he turns away from it if I add too much so can only add a couple of teaspoons.
Esi
Member
In searching for more information about constipation in cats, I came across this article. Interestingly, olive oil is apparently something that may help and some cats actually lap it up.
https://feline-nutrition.org/health/constipation-real-help-for-your-cat
https://feline-nutrition.org/health/constipation-real-help-for-your-cat
Esi
Member
The diarrhea was more "leaking" a wet, dark, metallic substance than actually pooping. There wasn't much of it but it wasn't recognizable as any type of excrement. I really think, after watching him, it may be constipation.
Djamila
Very Active Member
That paragraph also cautions that it's akin to giving them Vaseline. It can help, but it's not a great treatment.
felineconstipation.org is a great website if you believe constipation is the issue. They also list oilive oil as a home remedy option:
Olive oil – Technically a cholagogue (see Glossary), not a lubricant laxative, olive oil has mild laxative properties when a larger dose is given. A larger dose for a cat is a small amount! For a mild bout of constipation, a quarter teaspoonful of olive oil can be given for acute treatment but cats require animal fat sources, not plant oils, so olive oil is not suitable for ongoing care. Olive oil contains terpenic acids and phenolic compounds which a cat's liver is not able to properly detoxify.
felineconstipation.org is a great website if you believe constipation is the issue. They also list oilive oil as a home remedy option:
Olive oil – Technically a cholagogue (see Glossary), not a lubricant laxative, olive oil has mild laxative properties when a larger dose is given. A larger dose for a cat is a small amount! For a mild bout of constipation, a quarter teaspoonful of olive oil can be given for acute treatment but cats require animal fat sources, not plant oils, so olive oil is not suitable for ongoing care. Olive oil contains terpenic acids and phenolic compounds which a cat's liver is not able to properly detoxify.
Djamila
Very Active Member
It doesn't sound like occasional use will hurt. If you're looking at solutions you might already have at home, I believe a very small amount of egg yolk also acts as a laxative. There are tons of threads around here about constipation. If you search in Main or the Lantus/Lev forum, you'll find lots of discussion about home remedies that might be helpful to you. It's a fairly common problem around here!
Esi
Member
AMPS 136. He ate nearly 1/2 can of FF w/ approx. 1 tsp pumpkin. Seems to be feeling okay but still constipated. Wondering if I should give him .50 insulin, .25 (or as close as I can get w/ u40 syringe w/o 1/2 markings) or not shoot?
I am going to be home with him all day to keep an eye on him.
I am going to be home with him all day to keep an eye on him.
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