Cat insulin question

[Inkmahm]

My cat is newly diabetic and is getting Humulin N insulin. Being Disney lovers, DH and I travel quite often and let our two cats with my mom while we are away. We will be out of town next week for the first time since Cheyenne was diagnosed as being diabetic. My mom is freaking out about the insulin although not as far as giving the shot, more about trying to get the correct dose in the syringe. She is arthritic and has a hard time holding the bottle of insulin while trying to poke it with the needle.

I'm also going to ask my vet but thought I could get practical answers here. Can I fill 6 days worth of syringes with the Humulin N in advance and just let my mom store them in her refirgerator until she needs them? If she shakes the syringe before using it, won't that mix it up again just as if the insulin was still in the vial?

 

[CowboyCO]

My cat is newly diabetic and is getting Humulin N insulin. Being Disney lovers, DH and I travel quite often and let our two cats with my mom while we are away. We will be out of town next week for the first time since Cheyenne was diagnosed as being diabetic. My mom is freaking out about the insulin although not as far as giving the shot, more about trying to get the correct dose in the syringe. She is arthritic and has a hard time holding the bottle of insulin while trying to poke it with the needle.

I'm also going to ask my vet but thought I could get practical answers here. Can I fill 6 days worth of syringes with the Humulin N in advance and just let my mom store them in her refirgerator until she needs them? If she shakes the syringe before using it, won't that mix it up again just as if the insulin was still in the vial?

I think this would work very well. It is not uncommon in medical circles to have "pre-dosed" syringes. I think that is a very creative soultion. Question is - Can your mom wrap a cat?

 

[BCV513]

I'd check with your vet. My cat was on Humulin as well, and I seem to remember something about the bottle not being exposed to light or it would break down. I think being in the syringe would be too much light. The vet would know though. to you. Diabetes in a cat stinks.

 

[si-am]

I have a diabetic cat. I don't know about Humulin but many insulins will not hold up in a prefilled syringe. I'd ask your vet or even call the company for answers.

Good luck! I know all too well how stressful it is to try to vacation with a diabetic cat! We found a catsitter who has experience with insulin shots but it's fairly expensive.

 

[Inkmahm]

I've got a phone call in to my vet to see what he says. In the meantime, my mom had come over twice now to give the cat her shot and is doing fine with the needle. I got another tip about giving the cat a treat when it is shot time so that they associate the shot with the treat. I got some chicken baby food yesterday and tried a little bit of that on a plate so that my cat gets her shot while she is eating the baby food. HOpefully I can get her trained by next Tuesday when mom has to take care of her. I think she will be able to do the insulin draw and the shot now but catching the cat may be a different story!

 

[Hannathy]

Call a pharmacist!!! They are the experts/specialists and know far more about medication than Vets and Doctors! When I worked in the hospital we never asked the DR a med question we always asked a pharmacist. They keep up on things and only have meds to be expert on not all the other things DR's do. (and you will get a quicker definite answer)

When I worked with Diabetics what you are purposing would work fine, we used to pre-fill syringes on home visits BUT I have been out of nursing for several years so I would want you to check and make sure what current findings are.

Good luck cats are very tolerant of pokes, I think easier than giving them a stupid pill!!!!

 

[DizBelle]

One thing I would suggest (not just for your trip but in general) is to get a blood glucose monitor and test your cat frequently. You DO NOT want to drive your cat to low blood sugar.

The ones for humans work for cats too. We have the Freestyle Lite monitor. It requires a smaller amount of blood than any other monitor (.3 microliters). Essentially, if you can see the blood, it is enough. You prick their ear to get the sample.

 

[golfgal]

How often does the cat need the insulin? Would it be possible to pay one of the vet techs to come over to help your mom if she doesn't get the hang of it?

 

[debg]

I'd check with your vet. My cat was on Humulin as well, and I seem to remember something about the bottle not being exposed to light or it would break down. I think being in the syringe would be too much light. The vet would know though. to you. Diabetes in a cat stinks.

Also, I was told to never shake the insulin (also Humulin). I was told to roll the vial very gently between my hands.

Lastly, and MOST IMPORTANT of all... make sure your mother knows how very important it is for your kitty to eat before being given the insulin - it's literally life and death important. :-(

debg

 

[Inkmahm]

Call a pharmacist!!! They are the experts/specialists and know far more about medication than Vets and Doctors! When I worked in the hospital we never asked the DR a med question we always asked a pharmacist. They keep up on things and only have meds to be expert on not all the other things DR's do. (and you will get a quicker definite answer)

When I worked with Diabetics what you are purposing would work fine, we used to pre-fill syringes on home visits BUT I have been out of nursing for several years so I would want you to check and make sure what current findings are.

Good luck cats are very tolerant of pokes, I think easier than giving them a stupid pill!!!!

That was an excellent suggestion, thank you. I went to Sam's Club to buy a back up vial of insulin. The pharmacist does NOT suggest filling the syringes ahead of time. My mom has practiced and actually does very well taking the insulin from the vial. I think she is feeling more comfortable with the process now and hope that she will be okay next week with the cat on her own.