How Do I Give The Insulin Injection
Insulin is generally given under the skin over the back. The location of the injection should be rotated with every injection. The general method for giving insulin is as follows:
Gather your equipment to give the insulin injection. The bottle of insulin, syringe, cotton ball, alcoholâ¦and your glasses if you wear them .
Newly Diabetic Cat: How Much Food Must Be Eaten Before Giving Insulin Injection
Please help. I am feeling so overwhelmed. I tested my cats glucose level with the glucometer which read 13.76 but when I went to feed him he really didn’t eat all that much and walked away. I can’t get him to eat any more. I’ve even tried putting a sprinkle of parmesan cheese on top of his food. I don’t want to give him an injection in case it wasn’t enough food, and I can’t find an answer anywhere on google. I don’t know what to do. At the MOST he ate.. maybe 2 tablespoons of food, if that?
Age:5-6
Sex/Neuter status:Male, neutered
Body weight: 23lbs
History: Was just diagnosed, this will be his first shot of insulin. They want me to use 3 units.
Your general location: London, Ontario… Right now vets are closed. If he ends up needing to be brought in somewhere due to him going into shock because of the insulin, it will be very hard to get to an animal hospital and cost me and arm and a leg.
How Many Times Can I Use The Lancet
Lancets are made to be used one and thrown away. Ideally, use them once and toss. If you must reuse the lancet, it is recommended use them only twice. The needle edge dulls quickly because they are only made to be used once. When they are dull, it is more uncomfortable for your cat that may make him resent the testing.
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Why Cant I Shake My Cats Insulin
Gently rolling of the insulin between your palms is all that is needed to gently mix the insulin. The insulin is a very fine powder that is suspended in the liquid.
Rolling the insulin is better for a few reasons:
First, shaking denatures the protein, hurts the insulin molecule so it doesnt work correctly.
Second, shaking creates air bubbles, which can also act to denature the protein, inactivating the insulin. The air also makes it more likely to pull up air bubbles in the syringe that are hard to remove. If you include the air in your dose, then you are not giving the proper dose to your cat.
What Is Diabetes Mellitus
In dogs, diabetes mellitus is caused by the failure of the pancreas to produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar. This is insulin dependent diabetes mellitus . This type of diabetes usually results from destruction of most or all of the beta-cells that produce insulin in the pancreas. As the name implies, dogs with this type of diabetes require insulin injections to stabilize blood sugar levels.
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Diabetic Cat Vomiting White Foam
Vomiting white foam can be a concern for cat owners and it is important to pay attention to other symptoms to make sure it doesnt turn into a fatal complication. There are many reasons a cat can vomit white foam. The most common causes include indigestion, gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome and pancreatitis. Some other causes of vomiting white foam include parasitic infections and kidney disease. It is necessary to monitor the blood glucose levels of your diabetic cat when it vomits white foam to make sure it is not affected by diabetic ketoacidosis.
Sometimes, your cat can vomit white foam when it has ingested its fur and it builds up in the stomach. Throwing up only white foam and not fur indicates a risk of white balls. If the cat vomits multiple times in a week, you should take it to the vet for evaluation.
Will I Need To Start A Special Diet For A Diabetic Cat
Cats are, by nature, meat eaters. Because theyve evolved from the hunt to the food bowl, its now their owners job to ensure that their diet includes a lot of protein.
Also, cats bodies arent as good as peoples at breaking down carbohydrates, says Richard W. Nelson, DVM, DACVIM, professor of internal medicine at the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine.
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This is especially true for diabetic cats. The ideal diet for a diabetic cat is one that has increased protein and decreased carbohydrate content, Nelson says.
Most canned cat foods are already high in protein and low in carbs. But many dry cat foods are made with starch, which makes them higher in carbohydrates. Your vet may suggest that you switch to a specially formulated cat food or an all canned-food diet.
As you watch the type of food you give your cat, youll also need to keep an eye on their weight.
Although the tendency in feline diabetes is for cats to be overweight, some cats may actually be underweight if their diabetes went undiagnosed for a long time. At diagnosis, some cats need to put on some pounds, some need to lose some pounds, and some need to stay right where they are, says Thomas Schermerhorn, VMD, Dipl. ACVIM , associate professor of Small Animal Medicine at Kansas State University.
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How To Feed A Diabetic Cat
This article was co-authored by Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD. Dr. Nelson is a Veterinarian who specializes in Companion and Large Animal Medicine in Minnesota, where she has over 18 years of experience as a veterinarian in a rural clinic. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota in 1998. This article has been viewed 25,148 times.
Cats with diabetes can remain healthy with the right diet and lifestyle. Managing your cats diet will ensure your cats diabetes does not get worse or become a more serious health condition. To feed a diabetic cat, start by selecting food that is appropriate and healthy for them. Then, create a feeding schedule and maintain your cats condition so it can lead a full, happy life with diabetes.
What Do I Do With My Used Syringes And Lancets
You can dispose of your needles, syringes and lancets a few different ways. You can buy âsharpsâ containers similar to what they use in human and veterinary hospitals. The sharps containers are thick plastic that cannot be punctured. You simply place the syringe and needle in the box until it is full. When it is full, you close the top to secure. âSharpsâ containers can be purchased at some pharmacies and online.
Some pet owners use a plastic milk jug, empty laundry detergent bottle or large soft drink bottle as their sharps container. When full, place the lid and tape. This can then be placed in your regular trash. Most homes produce very little sharps and this container can then be disposed of in your regular trash . Check the rules for your area. A website that can help in determining the regulations in your area:
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Once Your Cats Glucose Is At A Regulated Level Your Cats Check
For example, they may start to go to ;3 months and then to 6 months.
If your cats glucose gets out of whack, youll go back to a visit every few weeks until its back on track.
As we mentioned above, a prescription diabetic cat food can make it easier to regulate your cats glucose than a regular cat food, which may reduce your vet visits.
Ultimately, though, it depends on your cat.
Some regulate quickly.
Put your mind at ease
If you want to make sure your diabetic cat is getting the right care and you live in the Castle Rock area, call us at 303-688-3757;or:
Cherished Companions Animal Clinic is a veterinary clinic in Castle Rock, Colorado. Specializing in the care of cats and dogs, our goal is to help you and your pet feel more comfortable, keeping your stress to a minimum.
This article is intended to provide general guidance on diabetic cat tips, including feeding schedules, insulin shots and glucose checks. If you have specific questions or concerns, please contact your local veterinarian.
How Is Insulin Stored
Insulin is a hormone that will lose its effectiveness if exposed to direct sunlight or high temperatures. It should be kept in the refrigerator, but it should not be frozen. If you have any doubt about the storage of your dog’s insulin, it is safer to replace it rather than risk using ineffective insulin. Insulin is safe as long as it is used as directed. Keep it out of reach of children.
Insulin comes in an airtight bottle that is labeled with the insulin type and the concentration. It is important to make sure you match the insulin concentration with the proper insulin needles. Insulin needles show their measurement in “units per mL”, which must correspond to the concentration of the insulin you are using. There are two common forms of insulin and corresponding syringes: U-100 and U-40. Your veterinarian will instruct you on which type of insulin you are using and which type of syringe you should use.
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Diagnosing Diabetes In Cats
After a physical exam and discussion of your cats symptoms, your veterinarian will take blood and urine samples for testing.
In addition to checking the glucose levels in your cats blood and urine, your vet will be checking for evidence of other diseases that have symptoms similar to diabetes, like kidney disease and hyperthyroidism.
They will also check for conditions that can complicate the treatment of diabetes, like infections and diabetic ketoacidosis, which require hospitalization.
Example #: Formulas Commonly Used To Create Insulin Dose Recommendations
This example illustrates a method for calculating of your background/basal and bolus doses and estimated daily insulin dose when you need full insulin replacement. Bear in mind, this may be too much insulin if you are newly diagnosed or still making a lot of insulin on your own. And it may be too little if you are very resistant to the action of insulin. Talk to your provider about the best insulin dose for you as this is a general formula and may not meet your individual needs.
The initial calculation of the basal/background and bolus doses requires estimating your total daily insulin dose:
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How To Prepare Your Cat For A Glucose Curve At The Vet Hospital
Diabetes;is a common disease in cats. Routine monitoring of blood using a glucose curve can help your veterinarian determine if the insulin dose is appropriate, too high, or too low, or if a different type of insulin is needed.
The glucose curve will reveal at what time the cats glucose level is the highest and when it is lowest relative to diet and insulin administration. If the glucose levels always register too high or too low throughout the curve, their insulin level needs to be adjusted.
A glucose curve will also help your veterinarian determine how long the insulin is lasting, when the insulin peaks and, ultimately, whether your pet is receiving the proper type and dose of insulin.
A glucose curve should be done as a matter of routine approximately one week after the patient starts insulin treatment or has any change in dosage of insulin. It should be done monthly for the first several months of treating the diabetes or any time your cat is having health issues that may suggest a problem. For example, if a cat is drinking more, urinating more, vomiting, or losing weight, its a good idea to have a curve done.
Carbohydrates Obesity And Diabetes
Most people are aware that diabetes is more common in overweight humans than it is in people closer to an optimal weight.; The same is true for cats.; Fat cells produce a substance that causes the cells of the body to become resistant to insulin.; This increase in insulin resistance is the hallmark of Type 2 diabetes.; As mentioned above, this is the most common form in the cat.
Cats are designed to utilize proteins and fats for their energy not carbohydrates.; They are lacking the necessary enzymes to efficiently utilize carbohydrates to meet their energy needs.; When the carbohydrate level of an obligate carnivores diet is higher than it should be remember that a bird or a mouse is only 2-3 percent carbs and that most dry foods contain between 35-50 percent carbs the excess carbohydrates are stored as fat.; The increased fat cells, in turn, promote Type 2 diabetes via an increase in insulin resistance.
That said, if calories in exceed calories out no matter whether the calories come from protein, fat, or carbohydrates the cat will gain weight.; This is why portion control is important no matter what diet you are feeding.
More in-depth information can be found here:
Unfortunately, pet food labels are extremely lacking in useable information.; All that is required to be listed is the guaranteed analysis which are only minimums and maximums which are, by definition, inaccurate.; Also, it is not required to list the carbohydrate content.
Also see Cat Food Composition chart.
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Pay Attention To Insulin Responses
You also need to watch for changes in your cats response to insulin.
If the original symptoms reappear, your cat may need a change in insulin dose or a trip to your veterinarian to see if other problems, like a bladder infection or hyperthyroidism, have developed.
If your cat starts acting disoriented or unsteady on their feet, or you find them unconscious or seizing, this is likely a sign of insulin overdose, causing blood sugar that is too low .
If your cat shows any of these signs, give them corn syrup by mouth . Use only a small amount so that your cat does not choke on it .
Use your finger to rub the syrup on their gums. You should contact your veterinarian, or take your cat to them, immediately.
What If Im Late Giving The Insulin
On occasion, you may forget to give your cats insulin or are unable to get home.
If you are unable or forget to give your cats insulin at the regular time, these are the general recommendations:
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How Do You Convert Insulin Units To Milliliters
Ideally, if you have the insulin and syringes that match â you dont need to do this. Mistakes happen when pet owners start trying to do various conversions.
U-100 means there are 100 units in 1 milliliter.30 units of a U-100 insulin are equal to 0.3 milliliters .
I have a chart that will help you. Go to: How to Convert U-100 Insulin in Units to Milliliters.
How Is Insulin Administered To Cats With Diabetes Mellitus
In cases of standard diabetes where the patient is otherwise relatively healthy, cats will generally be started on insulin injections immediately once the diagnosis is made. Because they break down insulin relatively quickly, almost all cats will require injections twice a day . The injections are usually administered under the skin of the back using either a syringe and very fine needle or a purpose-designed insulin pen. A crib sheet on insulin administration is also available within the fact sheet section of the Davies Veterinary Specialists website.
Insulin is typically started at a low dose, which will often need to be gradually increased based on response. The low dose is used because overdosing of insulin is much more dangerous than underdosing, but the consequence is that it can take some weeks to reach the optimal dosage by incremental increase. Insulin doses should not be changed too regularly and doses should never be altered without discussion with a vet.
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Why Do I Need To Roll The Insulin Bottle
It is recommend to gently ârollâ the insulin bottle to disperse the powdered insulin in the liquid. Shaking can damage the insulin molecules.
To roll the bottle, place it between the palms of your hands and gently a roll it between your palms 2 to 3 times. This is enough to disperse the insulin.
If you draw a dose of insulin that isnt properly mixed, you may either get too much or not enough of the proper concentration. Some insulins settle out very quickly so it is recommend to gently roll the bottle between your palms a few times to disperse the contents then immediately draw the insulin in the syringe.
How Is A Glucose Curve Performed At The Hospital
IMPORTANT: Check with your vet clinic to confirm how they want to do the glucose curve on your cat! Some clinics want you to give the insulin at home and others do not. Both approaches work well as long as the process between you and your veterinarian is clear.
A glucose curve generally takes 12 to 24 hours depending on the type of insulin being used.
Common instructions used in veterinary clinics include the following:
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