Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

MIButterfly

(3,548 posts)
Fri Jul 3, 2026, 01:26 PM 3 hrs ago

I just gave Holly her first shot of insulin

I hope I did it right. Yesterday, the vet tech showed me how and I busted out crying saying I was going to do it wrong, she was going to die and it'll be all my fault. I was so embarrassed. I think the stress of seeing her act so strangely and not knowing what was going on and being so scared and worried just caught up with me all at once.

Anyway, she gets the insulin after she eats and since it's impossible to know when she's eaten, I put her in my office in the basement. She likes to hang in that room. I put in a nice, clean new litter box, some fresh water and per the vet tech's instructions, 1/4 cup veterinary dry food mixed with a teaspoon of veterinary wet food. When I first showed her where the food and water is, Holly just kept walking around in circles. The tech said to check every 10 minutes to see if she's eaten it. After about 15 minutes, she'd eaten about half so I hope that was enough.

The insulin was another story. The bottle looked different than the one in the tech's office. I was trying to put the needle in through the cap! The cap was hard to get off and impossible to get back on, so I just put the bottle back in the carton without the cap. I got the dosage and flicked the syringe to get rid of the air bubble and got paranoid I didn't get it right, so I did it four more times. The dosage is very small and it's hard to see if it's even in there. I finally gave it to Holly and I hope I did it right and I hope I gain more confidence as we go along.

I filled her prescription at Costco and that was a whole other fiasco, not to mention that the place was packed with people no doubt getting ready for the holiday weekend. I assume a lot of people got today off; I know I always did when the 4th fell on the weekend. I don't do well in crowds to begin with and I was stressed out about Holly on top of it.

10 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies

sinkingfeeling

(58,283 posts)
1. It will become second nature to you. I had a diabetic dog for 6 years that got 3 shots a day, plus I took her
Fri Jul 3, 2026, 01:34 PM
3 hrs ago

glucose readings with a meter which also meant a gum prick.

livetohike

(24,521 posts)
2. You'll get the hang of it! It's so intimidating at first.
Fri Jul 3, 2026, 01:34 PM
3 hrs ago

Our dog Cindy (Doberman/Shepherd mix) turned diabetic at age 12. While my husband helped, I was the main person keeping track of everything. I would e-mail a chart of the readings every week to the Vet and she would either adjust the dose, or not. Cindy lived two more years and we were grateful for the extra time.

You can do this and will .

IbogaProject

(6,198 posts)
3. The plastic cap is trash
Fri Jul 3, 2026, 02:13 PM
2 hrs ago

The rubber inside the metel ring is the true cover. Dont stress over it. Trick is pinch the cat's skin and then move the syringe quickly, it goes in easier that way. You're extending the cat's life, just relax and do the best you can. Linking the shot to after some has been eaten is best.

chowmama

(1,141 posts)
4. You'll be fine
Fri Jul 3, 2026, 02:16 PM
2 hrs ago

My first one at work, in front of the pet owners, was intimidating, but it got a lot better.

If Holly's used to free-feeding, that's often the hardest adjustment. What do you mean I can't graze whenever I want to? Hey! Hey! Are you listening to me? It's 2AM and there's no stinkin' entrees! Hey! (They do eventually get used to it. Not happy, but used. -ish.) The needle stick isn't a big deal, usually.

For readings, some dogs are now using the Libre sensors. I don't know about cats yet.

niyad

(135,541 posts)
7. Lady Bast, please hold Holly's mom' hand steady, assure her she is doing well.
Fri Jul 3, 2026, 03:53 PM
1 hr ago

Dear MIB, I understand your anxiety and uncertainty. Please take a deeeeeeep breath, and KNOW that you and Holly and Martini will adjust to this new routine just fine. Your girls love you, we love you all. Feel our love and strength and certainty supporting you in this new chapter. BREATHE!!!

3catwoman3

(30,277 posts)
8. A "flick" suggestion. I don't know what/how they showed you at your vet's office...
Fri Jul 3, 2026, 04:16 PM
47 min ago

...so maybe you're already doing this.

As a long time nurse, I found using your middle finger (the FU finger) rather than your index finger was more effective That finger seems to be stronger and the angle between it and your thumb makes for a more forceful flick, so you won't have to flick the syringe so many times.

You can practice flicking with an empty syringe to see if you feel a difference between the index and middle finger methods.

It will soon become second nature. Hang in there - you can do it!

calimary

(91,580 posts)
9. Just take a few deep, cleansing breaths,
Fri Jul 3, 2026, 04:22 PM
42 min ago

hug your fur-baby, and carry on. And know you’re doing your absolute best for her, with all the love and devotion she already knows so well from you.

chia

(2,865 posts)
10. You care about your kitty, and that caring will help you gain confidence with practice.
Fri Jul 3, 2026, 04:25 PM
39 min ago

I've always worried about having to do this some day with my cat, he was a rescue cat, and has never done well with being held down for any reason. Getting him in the cat carrier requires hand and arm protection, it's almost impossible to give him his topical flea medication, there's no way he'd allow me to put a pill in his mouth.

I had another cat for 16 years who was docile as he is combative. I'll check back and see if you give a progress update down the road.

Good luck!

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Pets»I just gave Holly her fir...