Becoming difficult to give insulin shot.. what is up with that?

Discussion in 'Feline Health - (Welcome & Main Forum)' started by FurBabiesMama, Aug 16, 2017.

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  1. FurBabiesMama

    FurBabiesMama Well-Known Member

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    Jul 6, 2017
    Hi, everyone. It is becoming difficult to give Mia her insulin shot. She is not being cooperative at all. I used to be able to practically 'sneak' it in on her while she was eating, but not lately. She pulls away, looks at me like she is going to attack/bite me if I dare try. She has even started hissing at me. I never thought this would be the case, but currently, testing is easier than giving the insulin.

    I have no idea what is going on. Has anyone ever had this issue? Could it maybe be hurting at this point, maybe she is sore? I try to do it in different spots, but it is still within a limited area since that is the only zone where I can lift the skin appropriately.

    Help.
     
  2. MrWorfMen's Mom

    MrWorfMen's Mom Well-Known Member

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    Feb 18, 2015
    Check to see that your needles are nice and sharp. There have been reports of folks finding needles that were somewhat dull which obviously would lead to discomfort with injections.

    There is also the possibility that if you are using the same small area to inject, there could be a build up of "scar" tissue which is tougher and harder to penetrate but that said, you've only been at this for a very short period of time so I seriously doubt that's the problem.

    The quicker you insert the needle the less she will feel it so make sure you aren't perhaps pricking her first before completely inserting the needle.
     
  3. FurBabiesMama

    FurBabiesMama Well-Known Member

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    I will pay more attention to the needles.

    I try to be very quick and not hesitate, so I do not think I am pricking her first.

    :(
     
  4. MrWorfMen's Mom

    MrWorfMen's Mom Well-Known Member

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    Is she pulling away after the needle is inserted, as you insert it or when you grab and tent the skin? You need to closely observe exactly when in the process she reacts. I had to switch insulins because my girl started having issues when her dose got high because the insulin I was using is acidic.
    You are using ProZinc and I'm not aware of any issues of stinging with it but then I have limited experience with it. You might want to post over on the ProZinc forum just to see if anyone there has had a similar issue.
     
  5. Chris & China (GA)

    Chris & China (GA) Well-Known Member

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    If you're "tenting" first, you might try a different method

    You can just grab some fur between your thumb and forefinger and then "roll" your wrist a little to the side....shoot where the fur "break" is.....it's kind of hard to describe, but here's a picture that might help

    China skin roll with circle.png
     
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  6. FurBabiesMama

    FurBabiesMama Well-Known Member

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    Jul 6, 2017
    She starts acting up as soon as I touch her back about to tent the skin. Really, she starts looking at me sideways as soon as I come in with the needle.

    Maybe I need to change the routine a little so I can catch her off guard.
     
  7. FurBabiesMama

    FurBabiesMama Well-Known Member

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    Jul 6, 2017
    So, you are lifting the skin a bit by pulling up the fur then just looking for a 'clearing' of skin to shoot into?

    Do you all pull back on the plunger before you inject? I have seen videos where they did and videos where they did not.
     
  8. MrWorfMen's Mom

    MrWorfMen's Mom Well-Known Member

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    No need to pull back. That's an old technique. You are not likely to hit any blood vessels and if you do it will be a tiny capillary.
     
  9. MrWorfMen's Mom

    MrWorfMen's Mom Well-Known Member

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    Feb 18, 2015
    Exactly and you can use this technique along the sides too. My girl doesn't have loose skin to tent around her sides and flanks but that's where I usually inject her using the same method as Chris.
     
  10. FurBabiesMama

    FurBabiesMama Well-Known Member

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    Jul 6, 2017
    Good because I don't pull back. I was thinking maybe that was bad and causing an issue. Thanks.
     
  11. Chris & China (GA)

    Chris & China (GA) Well-Known Member

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    May 10, 2013
    Exactly!!! "Tenting" really isn't necessary with the newer short needles.....they are designed to put the insulin where it belongs just under the skin
     
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  12. Yong & Maury GA

    Yong & Maury GA Well-Known Member

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    Jan 11, 2017
    Also, are you giving shot in the same spot every time? You'll want to move around a little bit :)
     
  13. FurBabiesMama

    FurBabiesMama Well-Known Member

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    I try to get different spots.
     
  14. vbc2000

    vbc2000 Member

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    I alternate between left and right side. So far, so good!
     
  15. Meya14

    Meya14 Well-Known Member

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    What size needles are you using? I found that once I switched to a smaller gauge and length needle, my cat was way more cooperative with the shots. I currently use BD ultrafine which are 31G and I think 6 or 8mm.
     
  16. FurBabiesMama

    FurBabiesMama Well-Known Member

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    29G .33mm
     
  17. Meya14

    Meya14 Well-Known Member

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    Jan 2, 2015
    I would try a smaller needle then. 29G is a pretty fat needle, and if you are using an off brand, they might also be not as sharp as they could be. If you are in a state that doesn't require a script for syringes, you can order the BD ones from https://www.adwdiabetes.com/ They have the best prices. About half what I paid at the local pharmacy. I believe there are some other brands that make small gauge needles as well, as some people don't like the makings on the BD syringes.
     
  18. Case

    Case Member

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    Jun 13, 2017
    Just so you are aware, Prozinc is a U-40 insulin which requires a U-40 syringe. U-40 syringes only come in 29G, you can't get them any smaller. So the only option if you want a smaller gauged needle is to use the U-100 needle with the conversion chart here. You don't want to get mixed up between the the syringes as the doses are very different so I'd hide the U-40 if you do decide to switch. I use Prozinc too and personally don't have an issue with the needle size.
     
  19. FurBabiesMama

    FurBabiesMama Well-Known Member

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    Jul 6, 2017
    I do not think needle size is the issue, so I do not plan to change syringes. I am thinking that she is just tired of all of the things being done to her and is showing a little attitude. I have started giving her a few kibbles of Young Again Mature Zero at shot time. She LOVES dry food so much that it keeps her completely distracted. For a couple of days now, that is the only dry food I have let her have, so it is extra special to her.

    I am still working on finding different spots and ways to do it that involve less tenting of the skin. When I pull up on her hair, it does not really separate and show skin. She has a really dense undercoat, and the texture of her hair is crappy right now with the diabetes, sort of cottony and grabby. I am trying to use a technique somewhere between this and tenting.

    Thanks to everyone for their input!
     
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