? 12/27-Freckles AMPS 248, 238 @+4 . Splitting injection over 2 sites?

Yesterday's post

Anddddd, yes another furshot this morning. Freckles seems to be flinching when the insulin is injected. Freckles doesn't move when the needle is inserted but she is flinching during the injection. I seem to recall reading somewhere that some cats find Lantus may sting a bit with larger doses?

I'm wondering if I can inject her insulin in two different sites? Can I use the same needle/syringe and inject a partial dose in 1 site and then move to another site and inject the rest or should I put some of her insulin in 1 needle and the remaining in a new syringe?

Would appreciate any suggestions, as we are losing time due to these stupid furshots!!

 

For a possible fur shot, Freckles is holding fairly steady.

It is not wise to use the same needle twice. The needle becomes blunted and hurts more.



Some cats do find that Lantus stings. You might want to consider switching to Levemir.

 

Thanks Red. Some insulin did get injected before she moved, so it wasn't a total write off.

I see @Sienne and Gabby (GA) on on. What are your thoughts?

 

Another thing I'm doing which might be making things worse is I'm injecting he insulin slower rather than a quick push on the plunger. I don't know if that makes a difference or not?

 

Lantus can sting, particularly as doses increase. It is possible to split the dose and shoot in different locations. However, Freckles is not on a huge dose so splitting the dose means you increase the possibility of measurement error. It's less of an issue if the dose is large (i.e., if the dose is 10.0u or more).

I would try a quicker injection and see if it makes a difference.

 

Thanks Sienne. I will turn up the injection and see if that helps!

 

Try shaving a small spot. It will be easier to see. Also try sides or flanks as sites. You won't need to tent and go straight in not at an angle.

 

Thanks Paula. I've tried the sides and flanks but she actually moved more because she could still keep her head in the feed trough and wiggle her little body to the sides. The sides and flanks was where I had been getting the previous fur shots, so stopped using those sites. Today's furshot was the first time it happened when I injected in her scruff. The needle goes in no problem but then she flinched at the end when I was pushing the plunger and the last bit of insulin didn't make it in her. I may just go get the cattle clippers and give her a bit of a trim! ()

 

It would be difficult to only inject 1/2 of the dose then move to a new site. You would need to do a new syringe but as Sienne said there would be more of a margin of error with the accuracy of the dose drawn between 2 syringes. I vote on plunging faster since you don’t think she is feeling the needle go in.

 

Thanks Bobbie. Plunging faster wins! I will keep you posted to see if it makes a difference.

 

What size needle do you use? A 31 is smaller diameter than a 29, and may be less distressing. Once I get the needle all the way in, I slam the insulin in as fast as possible, so M'row doesn't have time to think about getting distressed.

 

Thanks Amina. We aren't having a problem getting the needle in. Freckles doesn't even notice the insertion of the needle. She is flinching when the insulin is plunged under her skin and she's acting more like something was uncomfortable and not distressed at all. Tonight I quickly pushed the plunger and that seemed to work as there wasn't a reaction.