Stupid newbie question about injections

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MelanieP and Ninja

MelanieP and Ninja

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First day doing this by myself. I have the syringes that hold up to 30 units with 1/2 unit markings; and am giving my cat 1 unit today. First, I couldn't figure out how to get the plunger to work; then I discovered the orange cap covering the plunger actually comes off. LOL!! That's how bad I am!!! So finally I ended up with 1 unit in the syrings... and believe I got it in the cat (Ninja), but not really sure. Her hair is very dense and black so it's hard to see what you're doing. I have read on this forum that sometimes you get "fur shots" and that the fur would feel wet as a result -- but 1 unit is barely a drop (is that correct?) - so not sure if I could feel any wetness regardless. Injecting Ninja is kind of like shooting into a black forest. Afterwards, I played around with drawing up plain water into the syringe to get a feel for what one unit actually looks like .. and it is a tiny, tiny amount, barely a drop. Question: is this correct....that 1 unit is about the size of a small drop?

Also having trouble drawing up exactly 1 unit into the syringe , but will probably get better with practice. This morning (bleary eyed), I drew up about 3 units and then just pushed out 2 of them out into the sink, ending up with what (I believe) was one unit in the syringe. But that is a waste of the Lantus so I hope to get better at this soon. Question: Is it best to just throw away any excess into the sink (like I did), or can it be put back into the Lantus bottle -- like, draw up 2 units (assuming I miss the mark) and immediately push the plunger down to return one of the units back to the Lantus bottle -- if that makes sense?

PS: Am I posting correctly to this forum -- by asking these types of questions; or should I try to search first to find answers in some of the historical postings. Don't want to be an annoyance to current members by asking things I should already know (or be able to find). You have all helped me so much already!!!!!!!!

One final question: How long do you roll the Lantus in your hands (to mix) before it is ready to use?
 
MelanieP said:
. Question: is this correct....that 1 unit is about the size of a small drop?
Click to expand...

Yes, 1 unit is a teeny drop. There is a close up picture of 1 unit here: http://steverapaport.com/jock/SyringeFineGradations/


Question: Is it best to just throw away any excess into the sink (like I did), or can it be put back into the Lantus bottle -- like, draw up 2 units (assuming I miss the mark) and immediately push the plunger down to return one of the units back to the Lantus bottle -- if that makes sense?
Click to expand...


No, do not inject extra insulin back into the bottle. The inside of the syringe is coated with a lubricant and it may contaminate the entire bottle if you inject extra insulin back in. Have you read the Lantus handling sticky? http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=151

Since few cats can use up the entire bottle, it's no problem at all to waste some extra insulin.

Am I posting correctly to this forum -- by asking these types of questions; or should I try to search first to find answers in some of the historical postings.
Click to expand...

You can post here on Health or over on one of the Lantus groups :smile: You'll find answers to most questions about using Lantus for a cat in the stickies on the Lantus Tight Regulation group: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewforum.php?f=9

And you can use the board search function to find old posts on pretty much any FD topic.
 
I've been doing this for five years and never heard that you aren't supposed to overdraw your insulin and push the extra back into the bottle- not saying that's wrong, just that I've never heard it before. I did recently read that you are supposed to inject air into the insulin bottle equivalent to the amount of insulin you are pulling out... is this true?
 
kflei said:
I did recently read that you are supposed to inject air into the insulin bottle equivalent to the amount of insulin you are pulling out... is this true?
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You don't have to inject air into the bottle. I never did. I would just have the plunger pushed all the way down to the zero line, stuck the needle into the bottle and draw up a little more insulin than I needed, remove the bottle and squirt out the extra insulin and air bubbles.

With the SoloStar pens you do not want to inject air or insulin back in. The pen is designed to work with negative pressure.
 
MelanieP said:
One final question: How long do you roll the Lantus in your hands (to mix) before it is ready to use?
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NO, do not roll or shake Lantus. It is a very sensitive insulin and you can ruin it by rolling or shaking. Lantus is already mixed, so there is no need to do this. I know there are other insulins that you need to shake to mix up, but Lantus is not one of them.

Keep the Lantus in the fridge, not on the door.

Here read this on more information about proper handling of Lantus: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=151
 
Melanie:

What has really helped me is that I buzzed off Pumbaa's fur in two places so I can see where I am injecting easier. This really helps prevent fur shots.

I used Wahl buzzers, which you can probably get at any Sally's Beauty Supply store, and maybe even at Walmart.

Suze
 
My vet has his technician demonstrate the rolling technique so thanks for letting me know not to do this!!!! What do you mean... "Keep the Lantus in the fridge, not on the door" -- like don't store it in the door of the frig (like in the butter compartment)?


Hillary & Maui said:
MelanieP said:
One final question: How long do you roll the Lantus in your hands (to mix) before it is ready to use?
Click to expand...


NO, do not roll or shake Lantus. It is a very sensitive insulin and you can ruin it by rolling or shaking. Lantus is already mixed, so there is no need to do this. I know there are other insulins that you need to shake to mix up, but Lantus is not one of them.

Keep the Lantus in the fridge, not on the door.

Here read this on more information about proper handling of Lantus: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=151
Click to expand...
 
Great idea! Ninja is going to look so funny with a big spot shaved off her side! LOL!! PS: Is it ok to give the injections more toward the side.... between the chest and tail? Vet demonstrated around the scruff area (upper back)...but Ninja has some loose skin on her sides, and makes it easier for me to inject her there while she is eating -- I can be petting her and just reach for the loose skin on her sides, pull it out and inject her there. I assume that is ok?

Pumbaa said:
Melanie:

What has really helped me is that I buzzed off Pumbaa's fur in two places so I can see where I am injecting easier. This really helps prevent fur shots.

I used Wahl buzzers, which you can probably get at any Sally's Beauty Supply store, and maybe even at Walmart.

Suze
Click to expand...
 
Correct. If it's in the door, it gets rattled around every time you open the fridge, and may also fall onto the floor if you have heavy-handed Hulk-like people around. I kept my insulin in its original packaging above the crisper, but it depends on how your fridge is configured.

edit to add: Yes, after a while I shot my Donovan more on the side than the scruff. More often than not he was snoozing when it was shot time, so I grabbed the fur on whichever side was up to loosen the skin and shot there. The black fur makes it more difficult to see, but I got used to it.

MJ
 
Thanks everyone for the great info! PS: How long till this sick feeling in the pit of my stomach goes away (fear and worry over Ninja). I know it is because I am new, but honestly feel like I want to cry or throw up at any given time (and not sure which, but have done both over the last few days). I read "Newbies, a message from your cat" in the announcements section and while it was very amusing... I find I am doing all those things -- waking Ninja up to see if she is breathing...following her around...etc. I took this whole week off of work to watch her (and try to master the home testing). I am a nervous wreck. Just wondering, from former newbies, how long it takes for this feeling of "dread" to go away.
 
Melanie, it took me a couple of weeks. For the first couple of weeks, my eyes would start leaking tears every time I talked to anyone about Pumbaa. I worried I was doing everything wrong, and I read information voraciously...too much info to really absorb it all.

We've all been there. Ninja will be fine, and you'll be fine, too! (((HUGS)))

Suze
 
Thank you Suze for the words of encouragement. How long before you mastered the home testing? I'm going to try tomorrow. My hope (fantasy) is that I can get it down this week so I can do Nina's curves next week instead of sending her back to the vet. The vet said yesterday that he was only able to get one blood sample from her all day (she stayed at the vet all day yesterday after her first dose) because she "didn't cooperate." Not sure how they were trying to get her blood...but vet specifically said they didn't do the "ear" technique. In any case, Ninja was stressed to the max yesterday upon arriving home and I can't bear to send her back there -- so hoping I can get the hang of it this week. How long did it take you...and was Pumbaa cooperative?

Pumbaa said:
Melanie, it took me a couple of weeks. For the first couple of weeks, my eyes would start leaking tears every time I talked to anyone about Pumbaa. I worried I was doing everything wrong, and I read information voraciously...too much info to really absorb it all.

We've all been there. Ninja will be fine, and you'll be fine, too! (((HUGS)))

Suze
Click to expand...
 
It took me about a week, I think, to stop wasting test strips and have the testing become second nature. Read this link I posted for newbies and testing.

I think the hardest thing for you will be coming up with a wonderful lo-carb treat that Ninja will love and which will distract her while you test. And be patient...the first couple of times you test you might not get any blood. Always have the bottle of test strips handy because you may ruin one and have to quickly grab another one and you don't want to have to get up and lose momentum when Ninja is already settled on your lap.

If your vet stressed Ninja out, that is all the more reason for you to do the home testing...going into the vet does stress cats out and their BG tests can be way off because of that, and the vet can be prescribing a higher dose of insulin than is really needed based on the stress which your cat won't be experiencing at home.

You asked earlier about injection sites. I alternate shooting Pumbaa's right flank (in front of his hind leg, closer to his belly than to his spine) and his left shoulder area (behind his shoulder and closer to his belly than his spine). I'm able to get a good tent in both of these locations, I don't have to worry about being too near the spine, and he doesn't seem to mind being injected in either of these areas. Shooting in the scruff isn't good for the insulin because it doesn't absorb as quickly. Here's a link about shooting/injection sites.

Suze
 
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