Squirming During Shot

[scienceofcats]

Hey guys, so tonight I wasn’t able to give Lola her entire unit of insulin. She maybe got 0.5-0.75 units ProZinc - she squirmed and got away. I think a lot of the problem is that I have to insert the needle, look through her fur while pulling on the plunger to ensure no blood (I was told I have to do that), and only then inject her.

How necessary is it to pull back? I don’t object - it’s just that she squirms. Do you guys have tips on how to keep her still during her shot?

 

[Kris & Teasel]

No, you don't have to pull back on the plunger to look for blood. Many of us were taught that by a vet tech after diagnosis but it really isn't necessary. You can also inject in a variety of locations - scruff, shoulders, flanks, belly. Even if you stick to a small area, move the injection site a little shot to shot.

Some people give the shot while kitty is eating so their attention is on food and not the injection. The faster and smoother you can be with the actions involved in injecting the less she'll want to move. It should get better over time. Are you giving a low carb treat before and after the shot to build positive associations?

 

[scienceofcats]

No, you don't have to pull back on the plunger to look for blood.

What would happen if it ended up going into a vein, though?

Some people give the shot while kitty is eating so their attention is on food and not the injection. The faster and soother you can be with the actions involved in injecting the less she'll want to move. It should get better over time. Are you giving a low carb treat before and after the shot to build positive associations?

Sounds like good advice. I haven’t been, but I suppose I could. I could also try a bit of cat nip, which she really likes. In terms of low-carb snacks, is there a list, and/or do you have any recommendations?

 

[Smokey and Jessica]

What would happen if it ended up going into a vein, though?

The way it was taught to me is as long as you are pulling up just the skin and making that tent to shoot in it’s highly unlikely to hit a vein. Cat skin is very loose and maneuverable.

 

[JeffJ]

Agree with advice from above. If you are pulling a small tent of skin, there will not be a major vein or artery in it.

I never pull the syringe back. I can pull the skin tent and pop in the syringe pretty quickly. The whole injection takes 2 or 3 seconds.

A fur shot is when you miss, and the insulin gets onto the exterior skin or the fur. If you ever do a "fur shot" then do not give a second dose. That's because you can't be sure if any insulin got in.