Injection sites

[schrusciel]

Greetings all,

Is there a conventional wisdom on FDMB regarding injection sites? My vet recommends the scruff but some of the literature seems to indicate better results from an abdominal injection.

Thanks

Steve

 

[chriscleo]

here's what BD has to say about it: http://www.bd.com/us/diabetes/page.aspx ... 01&id=7374

many of us believe they absorb insulin better if injected in the belly. others will shoot in the scruff. for some it's just the comfort of tenting to shoot scruff shots vs fear of the short needle in the belly. but if you look at anatomy charts of kitties you'll see the shorty needle (5/16") syringes won't hit anything past the area below the skin, which is where we want to inject the insulin anyway. obviously i wouldn't push the area down to get the needle deeper. all we want is right below the skin. think of a chicken skin and you'll realize you're not really looking to inject that deep.

 

[kryskat]

Initially I was taught to shoot the scruff. Then I read that it might be better to shoot elsewhere... However... I'm back to shooting the scruff area for the following reason:

There is some belief that scruff shots are absorbed more slowly, while abdominal area shots are known to be absorbed fastest... Some people use this to their advantage... For instance, Kasha has been known to cliff dive to low numbers early in her cycle... So, I stopped even trying to shoot near her side or belly (which she hated anyway) because I feel it would be better for the insulin to be absorbed more slowly for her. Alternatively, if the cat has bounced to a high number and you want to try to get that insulin working as quickly as possible, you can shoot near the abdomen...

Every cat is different (ECID), so you can experiment and see if it makes a difference...

 

[Jill & Alex (GA)]

as BD describes below, it's all about proper injection technique: Injecting Insulin

here's an interesting thread worth reading that Anne/French Fry saved in the FD Library: Shot Placement and Overlap.

many choose to shoot into the scruff because it's the only place they can shoot their kitty and still walk away with their fingers intact.
there are others who will argue there's no point to shooting a slow-acting insulin into the flank for purposes of faster absorption.

ECID. the most important thing is to get the insulin into the cat...

 

[Angela & Blackie & 3 Others]

I tried the flank. Once. I'm back to shooting the scruff, or the loose skin between the front legs and the ribs. I just want the insulin to get into the cat. With my fingers intact.

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

I tried both scruff and flank shots. Ultimately, I've stuck with scruff shots. I am much more confident of getting the insulin in my cat when I'm shooting in the scruff. I find it to be an easier location for an injection.

 

[Mindy & Max]

I always used scruff, just rotated around the neck, and sometimes further back near the shoulders. Max is hypersensitive about his hind quarters--there will never be a flank shot for him unless I want to lose some blood of my own. Same with his belly. Plus, I could shoot in the scruff while he was eating, so it was just easier and faster all the way around. And he clearly didn't have any issues with absorption since he managed to go OTJ.

 

[chriscleo]

right, jill. the link i gave is to the same material you posted.
interestingly enuf, i've been citing that for 3 years now and BD USED to say specifically that there is poor absorption in the scruff. i'm wondering whether they changed that language because of vet complaints, because most vets seem to recommend scruff shots.

i use scruff shots for cleo when her preshot reading is low or when i was testing a new dose and nervous about it. i felt the insulin lasted longer tho it did not drop her as much. but ECID, obviously.

 

[Carolyn and Spot]

I don't notice any duration shortening with Leo and his flank/side shots. In fact I think the duration is worse in the scruff for him. Onset is a tricky thing when you're dealing with a longer lasting insulin such as lev/lantus.. you don't really want to delay the onset IMO, since the curves are more shallow with these insulins.. a delayed onset could lead to a higher nadir since theoretically the insulin who would have to start working at a higher number, roughly 4 hours post-shot.

 

[tecwmn]

Scruff shooter here...