Sudden increased pain sensitivity?

Status
Not open for further replies.
N

Nalu's Person

New Member
Hi everyone,
I am new here. My cat Nalu was recently diagnosed with diabetes and we are still trying to get him regulated. I am trying to do and learn everything I can to make life as good for him as possible. He has been on Lantus for just over two weeks now and the shots have been going just fine. I rotate spots, bevel up and everything was a non event for him. Recently it seems like his pain tolerance has just gone down. He seems to feel any slight prick of the needle. I don't think it's my technique as he also felt when I checked his blood glucose via his ear, when he couldn't even seem to feel this at all any more. Is there anything that could be making his overall pain sensitivity go up? Is there anything I can do for him? Any help would be greatly appreciated! I can't stand to see him hurt.
Thanks
 
I had asked this about a month ago and what I was told is that sometimes Lantus can cause a burning sensation. That's why it's good to rotate spots.

Are you poking him while he's eating? Mine does pretty well when he's distracted though he eventually started growling while he ate (imagine an angry nom nom nom). Sometimes he'll move away and I just have to be patient. Better to be patient than to blow it on a fur shot.
 
Hi, thanks so much for responding. I do rotate spots and unfortunately it's when the needle just pokes him even before the Lantus goes in, though sometimes that hurts him too. I'm still getting them in only because he's such a good kitty. He still comes for the shots and even seems to want them, it's just that they hurt him for the past few days now when they didn't before. I don't think it's just the shots or just the Lantus as when I checked his blood glucose via ear that hurt him too where it normally didn't. He still puts up with everything fine, he just yelps and let's me know it hurts and I want to do anything I can to stop it from hurting him. It seems as if his overall pain sensitivity is higher all of a sudden for some reason??
 
I wonder if this is a result of neuropathy - perhaps slowly improving as a result of becoming better regulated. Perhaps some methyl-B12 would help him through this period.

I seem to recall that someone else mentioned lightly pinching the skin to numb it for a few seconds b4 inserting the needle. When you pull up the tent, try squeezing for a few seconds.

For his ears, you could try the same thing if his ears are bleeding well. Otherwise you might just have to give extra love and treats and hope that it is a transient neuropathy symptom.
 
Thank you so much. I will try the pinching thing for poor Nalu's dose tonight. As for the methyl B12 ( forgive my newness and I'll try to research this) but how do you get this in safe doses for cats? From the vet only or are there other ways?
Thanks again, I really appreciate the suggestions.
 
What gauge needle are you using for the shots and what size lancet are you using for the ear? Another thought is that in the beginning he wasn't sure if it was going to happen every day and now he knows it is so he is anticipating in his mind it is going to hurt and flinches.......mind over matter so to speak. I also wonder if he is trying to fake you out and make you think it hurts him in the hopes you will stop doing it. Cats are funny creatures and he may just be thinking it is going to hurt and reacts to it that way. Just a few thoughts because if poking the ear hurt in any way, Mishka would never let me get near her.
 
The product is called methylcobalamin. I bought it at a natural foods store, although I've also seem it in the vitamin section of major chain stores. I have 1000mcg tabs and give 1/4 per day, crushed in food. It may have lactose in the tabs, but its such a small amount that most people don't find that it has an effect on the bg.
 
Hope, thanks for replying. I am using a 28 gauge needle however, after frantically reading this board I realize there are smaller ones. I'm calling my vet tomorrow to see if I can switch to those and why they weren't given in the first place. I know what you mean about the faking out. Nalu is a rascal and when he is healthy loves stirring things up. But he seems to know he needs these shots and goes to where I give them and waits at the appropriate time. If I am on time to the minute to our spot, instead of early like usual, he meow nags at me! Thanks Just as appy for the methyl b12 info. Thanks to everyone for answering me. It is so nice to be able to talk to others in the same situation.

I tried the pinching thing last night my husband did it and that hurt him too! But then, when I was really frustrated about how to stop hurting my kitty, Nalu led me Lassie style to where we give out catnip sometimes. A lightbulb came on, maybe I should give him catnip during his shot. So this morning I put cat nip in front of him, pinched slightly to numb him, then I gave the shot pointing the opposite direction from normal. While I rotate the shots all over, I always point the needle towards the front of him, so I thought maybe pointing the needle towards the back of him would help. Success! At least for this shot, Nalu had a pleasant time sniffing and snorting his catnip and he got his insulin without incident. Whew. Hopefully this works again tonight.
 
What a smart boy to tell you that catnip would help - a lot! By all means see if you can get smaller gauge needles. I usually use 3/10cc, 12.7 mm (1.2 inch) needle length, and 29 gauge. However, I also have some 3/10cc, 8 mm, and 31 gauge that are marked in .5 units. I personally prefer the longer needle, but would use the smaller gauge if it were an issue with my cat. I'm sure you know, but larger number= smaller diameter of needle.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top