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How often should I give my Cat an insulin shot?

How often should I give my Cat an insulin shot?

Cats with diabetes need constant attention. They eat a special low carbohydrate diet to reduce the amount of glucose in the body. Even so, most cats require insulin injections twice daily to keep blood glucose in check. The injections are administered under the skin in rotating sites, preferably at the same time each day.

What happens if you give a cat too much insulin?

Hypoglycaemia, or low blood sugar, is most often due to an overdose of insulin. It’s a good idea to measure a pet’s sugar levels before giving insulin, as this will help ensure that the dosage is right and reduce the likelihood of hypoglycaemia. Your vet will show you how to do this at home, using a glucometer.

When to inject insulin in a pet with diabetes?

Most of us dealing with pet diabetes vary the side we give the injections in–right side mornings and left side evenings, for example. This is another help in avoiding giving shots in the same areas.

What happens if a dog overdoses on insulin?

Dogs or cats that receive more than their usual dose of insulin are at risk of a hypoglycemic crisis that can lead in the worst cases to seizures, coma, and death. Anyone who accidentally overdoses his or her pet on insulin should seek veterinary care immediately.

Cats with diabetes need constant attention. They eat a special low carbohydrate diet to reduce the amount of glucose in the body. Even so, most cats require insulin injections twice daily to keep blood glucose in check. The injections are administered under the skin in rotating sites, preferably at the same time each day.

Why does my cat have a shortage of insulin?

Diabetes mellitus is a disease that causes your cat to either have an absolute shortage of insulin (Type I), or an incorrect response from the cells to the insulin that is being produced (Type II).

Most of us dealing with pet diabetes vary the side we give the injections in–right side mornings and left side evenings, for example. This is another help in avoiding giving shots in the same areas.

Why do I need to give my kitten a shot?

The right vaccinations. Shots protect your cat from diseases caused by viruses and bacteria. They can also strengthen her immune system. Whether you have a kitten or an adult cat, your vet can help you figure out which vaccines are best and how often your kitty should get shots. It usually depends on her age, overall health, and lifestyle.

It is best to administer the injections at approximately the same time (s) every day. Insulin injections should be given immediately after the cat has eaten. This will prevent the cat’s blood sugar from dropping to a dangerously low level. Allow your cat to eat a meal before administering the injection.

Can a cat be diabetic without insulin injections?

With early, aggressive treatment of diabetes, many cats will enter a state of diabetic remission, meaning they are able to maintain normal blood sugar levels without insulin injections.

When to take your cat to the vet for diabetes?

A change in eating and drinking routines may also signal the onset of diabetes in cats. “Without insulin, [a cat’s] body can’t use glucose. So in the beginning you notice your cat is really hungry and is still losing weight,” says Koble. If you notice any of these signs, take your cat to the veterinarian immediately.

How often should you do a blood glucose curve for a cat?

Even in a stable cat, blood glucose curves should still be performed every 3-4 months, as insulin needs can change over time. Eventually, many cat owners can learn to perform blood glucose curves at home.

How do you give cat insulin shots?

Use correct Position: Hold the syringe almost parallel to the cat’s spine. You want the insulin to be injected just under the skin (subcutaneous) NOT into the muscle, which hurts! Make sure the bevel of the needle is UP. This ensures a clean, quick puncture instead of a drag through the skin.

How much insulin does a diabetic cat need?

Remember to round the cat’s bodyweight down to the nearest whole kilogram and the calculated dose down to the nearest whole or half unit. *The maximal dose should ideally not exceed 2 IU per injection in the first 2-3 weeks of treatment. Avoid unduly high starting doses in cats,…

Is insulin good for cats?

There is no ‘best’ insulin for all cats, but some are preferable to others. Many veterinary internal medicine specialists recommend glargine (Lantus®, made by Sanofi Aventis ) as a first-line choice. Lantus® is a recombinant human insulin which is usually very effective in cats.

When do you give insulin to a diabetic pet?

Again, diabetic humans usually give themselves the insulin a few minutes before they eat. The reason we wait until the diabetic pet is eating before we give insulin is actually pretty obvious: we wish to see if the pet will eat. If we give a pet an insulin injection and then the pet doesn’t eat, hypoglycemia may ensue.

Is it painful to give insulin to a cat?

Fortunately, giving insulin to a cat is not a difficult or complicated process, and is not particularly painful or unpleasant for most cats. Help your diabetic cat by learning how to store and handle insulin, develop a good injection routine, and properly administer an injection. Part 1 Storing and Handling Insulin

What happens if a pet eats in between insulin injections?

Does it matter if a pet eats in between insulin injections? Yes. Just as giving insulin without food can cause a low blood glucose reading, giving food without insulin will cause an elevated blood glucose test result. If you give a snack in the middle of the day, the blood glucose will likely rise due to the snack.

When do you give a cat an insulin shot?

A glucose curve helps the vet to ensure your cat is receiving the correct insulin dose by tracking how her blood glucose level responds through the day. After the cat has her morning meal, an initial blood draw is taken just before her morning insulin injection. Blood samples are collected every two hours throughout the day for 12 hours.

With early, aggressive treatment of diabetes, many cats will enter a state of diabetic remission, meaning they are able to maintain normal blood sugar levels without insulin injections.

When to take blood glucose test for cats?

A glucose curve helps the vet to ensure your cat is receiving the correct insulin dose by tracking how her blood glucose level responds through the day. After the cat has her morning meal, an initial blood draw is taken just before her morning insulin injection.

What should I do if my cat has diabetes?

Cats with diabetes need constant attention. They eat a special low carbohydrate diet to reduce the amount of glucose in the body. Even so, most cats require insulin injections twice daily to keep blood glucose in check.

What should I do before giving my pet an insulin injection?

Really, when you massage the skin before an injection it stimulates nerve endings in the skin and it really does help the injection hurt less. When I give a pet an injection of any sort (insulin, medication, vaccine, whatever) I rub the skin for a couple seconds before the injection,…

What happens if you miss a pet insulin shot?

If you are not certain, don’t give another injection. Really, a short period (well, 12 hours) of hyperglycemia for a missed shot is safer than a short period of hypoglycemia from being dosed twice. Just wait until the next injection time in 12 hours and start fresh rather than risk an episode of hypoglycemia. Chin up.

Why is my cat still lethargic after an insulin shot?

Cat still lethargic and not feeling well, especially starting one hour after insulin shot. Not eating or drinking so,I have been force feeding him every 4 hours , four times daily the last three days. Today am B.G was 382 and 8 hours later after feeding him Continue reading >>

If you are not certain, don’t give another injection. Really, a short period (well, 12 hours) of hyperglycemia for a missed shot is safer than a short period of hypoglycemia from being dosed twice. Just wait until the next injection time in 12 hours and start fresh rather than risk an episode of hypoglycemia. Chin up.

Really, when you massage the skin before an injection it stimulates nerve endings in the skin and it really does help the injection hurt less. When I give a pet an injection of any sort (insulin, medication, vaccine, whatever) I rub the skin for a couple seconds before the injection,…

Is it safe to give a dog another hypoglycemia shot?

Rarely will you know that the pet got all or got none of the injection. If you are not certain, don’t give another injection. Really, a short period (well, 12 hours) of hyperglycemia for a missed shot is safer than a short period of hypoglycemia from being dosed twice.

Dogs or cats that receive more than their usual dose of insulin are at risk of a hypoglycemic crisis that can lead in the worst cases to seizures, coma, and death. Anyone who accidentally overdoses his or her pet on insulin should seek veterinary care immediately.

Which is the best insulin for a cat with diabetes?

In combination with an appropriate diet (canned cat food with less than 7% carbohydrates), glargine has the best chance of inducing a remission, meaning that the cat will no longer require insulin. Lantus® is typically dosed at 1 or 2 units twice daily (BID).

What happens when a cat has 6 units of insulin?

Another thing I look for when a cat reaches 6 units of insulin and still needs more is called the Somogyi effect. This is an odd sort of occurrence that makes it looks as if a cat is not getting enough insulin because the glucose reading is high and yet, the reverse is true.

How often should I give my Cat glargine Lantus?

Hence the ultra-long-acting human insulins, Glargine Lantus or Detemir Levemir, work best for these cats. Rx Glargine = Lantus: This acid pH insulin precipitates in the neutral pH of the body and is absorbed slowly. The initial dose is 1 to 2 IU/cat twice a day.

How often should I give my cat insulin?

The initial regulation of a cat on insulin generally takes 2-8 weeks. The process of getting a cat regulated can be costly. Insulin must usually be given twice a day, every day at specific times, probably for the life of the cat. Insulin must be handled properly (refrigerated, not shaken, etc).

In combination with an appropriate diet (canned cat food with less than 7% carbohydrates), glargine has the best chance of inducing a remission, meaning that the cat will no longer require insulin. Lantus® is typically dosed at 1 or 2 units twice daily (BID).

How often should you give an insulin injection?

Life sometimes get is the way of our plans, but do your best to give the injections every 12 hours. Occasionally I hear of clients giving insulin injections 10 and 14 hours apart or 11 and 13 hours apart due to their family’s work and sleep schedule. Strive for 12 hours apart. Consistency is key to diabetes regulation.

What causes a cat to have too much insulin?

Most of the time, when a cat has too much insulin in its body, it’s because of a mistake or mishap related to giving injections. The most common mistake is an accidental double-dose. This usually occurs when two different people in the family each give the cat a regular insulin injection, or an incorrect measurement of a dose.

This means that insulin injections may be necessary only for a short period of time and then your cat may not need them anymore. In practice, many cats respond better to insulin injections than they do to the oral hypoglycemic agents or feeding your cat a diet of special food.

Is it OK to give a pet insulin injection?

It really helps decrease discomfort of the injection. Besides, this is your sweetie and you want to pet and hug your darling after the injection regardless for being a good pet.

What should I give my Cat before giving him an injection?

Use food as a distraction. Right before you administer an injection, give your cat a treat she really enjoys, like canned cat food or tuna fish. As soon as she starts to eat the food, gently pinch her skin where you will be giving the injection.

Can you give a cat an insulin injection?

Giving Injections to Cats. Two of these conditions are diabetes mellitus, which is controlled by daily insulin injections, and certain allergies, which are controlled by regular injections of allergenic extracts. In many cases, cat owners are willing and able to administer these medications at home.

How long does it take for a diabetic cat to adjust to insulin?

DEAR JOAN: I had two elderly diabetic cats that required twice-daily insulin injections. Both cats adjusted to this treatment within 3 weeks, and our positive bonds were reestablished. Part of the plan as prescribed by our veterinarians was that the cats were fed immediately after they received their insulin injections.

Can you explain the exact technique of giving injections to cats?

Generally, if you are unsure how much you injected, do not administer more unless directed by your veterinarian. Can you explain the exact technique of giving an injection? The injections are given in the subcutaneous tissue (sub = under, cutaneous = skin), which is considerably looser in the cat than in the human.

Can you give a cat subcutaneous fluid injection?

Giving injections is outside the comfort zone for almost anyone outside the medical profession. However, subcutaneous fluid administration is not nearly as difficult as it sounds. The benefits that your cat receives will make it well worth your time to learn this simple technique.