Injecting insulin at home is done subcutaneously, under the skin, but not into muscle or vein. See also Syringe and Insulin pen.
How to inject subcutaneously
It's best to pull up some loose skin into a tent[1][2], then insert the needle firmly, bevel side up[3][4] for comfort[5].
BD has animations with narrations to help you learn how to draw insulin properly[6]. One can select from drawing one insulin or combining two insulins in the same syringe. Selecting this and the style of syringe you use personalizes the demo for your needs. The presentation is very clear and unhurried.
BD also has a slideshow which shows how to inject your dog[7] or cat[8].
Injection tips
- .
- Injecting any insulin at the same site repeatedly over time or blunting a needle with re-use[9] can cause a lipodystrophy: either lipoatrophy[10] or lipohypertrophy. Either makes absorption unreliable. But varying 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[11].
- . Intervet recommends giving injections from just back of the shoulder blades to just in front of the hipbone on either side, from 1 to 2 inches from the middle of the back[12].
Insulin tips
Cold insulin
Insulin[13] can sting, regardless of what species, type or brand. Bringing the insulin to room temperature by removing it from the fridge before actually using it can help avoid painful injections. Warming the capped insulin syringe with your hands can have the same effect[14]. Some people tuck the capped and filled syringe under their arm for a few minutes to warm it before use. Do NOT attempt to warm insulin using a stove, microwave, etc.; you may destroy the insulin by doing so[15].
Do not use the insulin if
Before each use, take a moment to inspect the insulin prior to drawing it into the syringe; clear insulins should appear not discolored and clear; suspended insulins should be uniform in their cloudiness[16].
Do not use the insulin if:
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Injection problems
There are sometimes leakage problems, when some insulin is lost when the needle is removed from the skin[25]. Some possible reasons and "fixes" for this are holding the "pinch" or "squeeze" too long which you made to give the shot.
The skin, now with insulin under it, is still being "squeezed" as it was before the insulin went under the skin. The "pinch" forces some of the insulin back out from the newly-created hole in the skin.
Releasing the "squeeze" or "pinch" first, then counting to 10 before removing the needle from the skin may give the insulin time to penetrate the fat layer and prevent leakage. Short needles can also cause insulin leakage--switching to longer ones can also help.
See also diluting insulin, fine doses, combining insulin, rolling insulin, syringes and insulin pens.
Further Reading
Cats - Pictorials
- BD Diabetes-Injection Site Selection-Cats
- Sugarpet Tatty being injected,
- Bob injecting his cat Stranger
- Steve injecting his cat Jock.
- Insulin Injections Slideshow
- Another one for Cats
Cats - Online videos
Dogs - Pictorials
- BD Pictorial for dogs Insulin Injections Slideshow
- Another one for Dogs
- BD Diabetes--Selecting Injection Sites
Dogs - Online Videos
Dogs - Injection Time Tips
Injection Site Rotation
Online Videos
- Cornell University Feline Health Center-Giving Insulin Injections Flash Movie
This contains good general information about drawing insulin and how to give insulin injections--not strictly for cats. - Washington State University-Diabetes Mellitus
Good general information with photos and tips about drawing insulin. - PetTalk.com-Tips and Tricks from Pet Owners-Alternative to Tent Method Technique
- BD Animations-Drawing Insulin
References
- ↑ Tenting as shown with Simon
- ↑ Tenting shown on a hairless cat for clarity
- ↑ Sarasota Memorial Hospital Subcutaneous Injection Page 4
- ↑ FDMB discussion on injection technique
- ↑ Cornell University Feline Health Center:How to Give an Insulin Injection Flash Movie
- ↑ BD Diabetes-Drawing Insulin Animation with Narration
- ↑ BD Diabetes Slideshow-Injecting a Dog
- ↑ BD Diabetes Slideshow-Injecting a Cat
- ↑ Insulin-Dependent Diabetes-Dr. Ragnar Hanas-Page 21
- ↑ Lipoatrophy can Happen With Any Subcutaneous Insulin-Endocrine Abstracts-2006
- ↑ BD Diabetes-FAQ's About Diabetic Dogs-Dr. Greco
- ↑ Vetsulin-Preparing Insulin & Giving Injection-Page 2
- ↑ Injecting Cold Insulin
- ↑ PetTalk.com-Tips and Tricks from Pet Owners
- ↑ FAQs.org-Travelling With Insulin
- ↑ RxEd.org-Insulin Therapy-Stability & Storage
- ↑ Flocculation & Loss of Potency of Human NPH Insulin-Diabetes /Care-ADA-1988
- ↑ Flocculation of NPH Insulin-Revista Clinica Espanola-(English Translation)-1994
- ↑ Frosting Caused in NPH/Isophane Insulin By Heat/Cold-Journal-Diabetes.org-1998
- ↑ Dorlands Medical Dictionary-Definition of Flocculation
- ↑ ADA-Diabetes Forecast, 2006-Storage & Safety-Frosting of NPH, Lente, Ultralente Insulins-Page 5
- ↑ Diabetesnet.com-Humalog & Heat
- ↑ Injection Insulin-Transcript of American Diabetes Association Videotape-2003
- ↑ ADA-Diabetes Forecast, 2006-Storage & Safety-Particles or Clumps in NPH, Lente, Ultralente Insulins-Page 5
- ↑ Insulin Leaking From Injection Site