Gizmo was diagnosed about 2 weeks ago. He's a small, mellow Maltese so I didn't think the insulin shots would be difficult. It is getting harder and harder to give it to him, to the point where I now walk outside and find a random person to hold him while I deliver the shot. It can take an hour and a half for me to give it to him, but he moves and the needle bends (which I'm sure hurts). I don't even know if I get it in. He refuses to stay still and I have tried every tip on this forum - counter, bathroom, wrapping him in a towel, while he is eating, outside. I just can't do it. What do you suggest? Is there any other way to deliver insulin? Is there any kind of contraption that can keep him still? Thank you for your advice. I'm really upset and at a loss.
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Gizmo refuses to let me give insulin
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I think maybe you are now totally stressed out, understandably, and that is making the process more difficult. You have to absolutely steel yourself and determine that this is going to happen because he will die without it. If he tries to bite, get a muzzle. You could try to find a carrier of some kind that he fits tightly into. I don't know if you can do it alone - someone will have to keep him steady.
Have you heard of Inject Eze? Not sure on my spelling but some members say it is miraculous. Might be worth a try.
Hoping you get a break through soon. This has to be hard on you both.Maggie - 15 1/2 y/o JRT diagnosed 9/2007, Angel status on 6/20/16. Her mantra was never give up but her body couldn't keep up with her spirit. Someday, baby.......
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Re: Gizmo refuses to let me give insulin
hi and welcome
sometimes practice shots might help constantly tenting the skin during the day maybe turning the syringe the other way or just keeping the guard on the needle . A reward or constant praise maybe helpful
its not just getting your pup comfortable but you also
another thought if you have another dog or even a cat maybe doing fake shots on them with praise and a treat . jealousy is a powerful tool . jesses buddy gets a fake shot so hes part of the routine and is very happy about itJesse-26 lbs - 16.5 years old ,11 years diabetic, one meal a day homemade and a vitabone snack . 3 shots of Novolin( under the Relion name ) a day . Total insulin for a 24 hour period is 6.5 units of NPH insulin .
Jesse earned her wings on 6/21/2021
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Re: Gizmo refuses to let me give insulin
amydunn19, you are right. I'm totally stressed about it and I'm also hurting him because the minute I stick him he yelps out (because he is moving), so I can't even stick him now without someone helping hold him still. I'll try the carrier suggestion, someone else just suggested that to me today too. I have not heard of Inject Eze but I'll look into it and talk to my vet about tomorrow.
jesse girl, I love your suggestion about doing shots on my cat! He gets so jealous of her (I get him to come to me calling her name), and she loves attention so she would love me doing practice shots on her. I have tried to tent the skin and use the needle during the day (with the needle cap on), and he stays still with that for some reason. But it's really the stick that it giving us trouble because he's moving and it hurts.
Thank you both!
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Re: Gizmo refuses to let me give insulin
Just wondering how much does Gizmo weigh and which insulin are you using?
CraigAnnie was an 18 pound Lhasa Apso that crossed the rainbow bridge on 10-5-17. She was nearly 17 years old and diabetic for 9½ years.
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Re: Gizmo refuses to let me give insulin
Many dogs take their cues from their perception of the owner's behavior. ... A stressed out owner trying to give a shot can lead to a stressed out pup on the defensive.
What gauge and length syringe do you use?
It's good to get their focus off you. Some treats can accomplish that, as you give the shot.
Otis Farrell dx'd 12/10, best friend to his dad, Bill, for over 14 years. Left this world while in his dad’s loving arms 10/04/13. Sonny Farrell dx'd 1/14, adopted 5/15/14. Left this world while in his dad's loving arms 9/06/16. Run pain free, you Pug guys, til we're together again.
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Re: Gizmo refuses to let me give insulin
I know I was so very nervous to do the shots when I first started, as we were using the larger syringes based on Vetsulin for the first 2 weeks. I was trying to lean over on the floor to give it while he was sitting. What made it easier for me was when we switched to Novolin and the shorter needles. I wasn't as afraid to insert the needle. I found that putting him on my lap, stretching him over my knee and loving on him first is what worked wonders. Saved my back and it wasn't like a big deal for him. And, then he gets a treat right after the shot when he gets down from my lap. When I check his sugar, He is on my lap laid back under my arm, getting loving, and then I prep and test his paw pad/elbow while he's getting snuggles from me.
I've been very lucky in how well my guy handles all of this. Doesn't make a fuss at all. He walks over to me and is ready to come up on my lap because he knows.Gus - **Angel as of March 7, 2018"
10.5 yr mini-schnauzer, diagnosed Sept. 2015, currently 17.5 units Novolin N 2x day; diet W/D, tblsp pumpkin, Advocate PetTester tester/strips & Alpha-Trak2 for alternative (when I question weird BG readings); blind as of March 1, 2016
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I'm curious to know where you are injecting on Gizmo. I think some areas are more sensitive than others on dogs. I originally gave my dog Bazzle his shots in the scruff of his neck, and after a short while he started throwing a tantrum. Crying, yelping, knawing on my arm, then nipping at my hand. Once we switched from his scruff to his side, all the problems went away.Bazzle - My sweet German Shepherd Chow Chow boy, born approximately 6/7/2002, adopted 8/7/2002, diagnosed with diabetes 12/28/2012, lived happy and healthy on Novilin 70/30 and Hill's Science Diet WD... Continued his journey into the next life on 5/15/2016. I miss you baby boy; you'll stay in my heart forever.
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Re: Gizmo refuses to let me give insulin
Gizmo weighs 11 lbs and I am using Vetsulin with the U40 needles. I've tried giving him treats while doing it but that doesn't work. Also tried loving him and relaxing him, and also putting him on my lap. But he just jumps off right away when he either sees the needle or I put the needle near his neck. I'm on my way to my vet now to see if they can give me some tips. Maybe changing the location of the shot will help.
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Re: Gizmo refuses to let me give insulin
I have a friend who has this same issue. Her dog LOVES his food and is not easily distracted while eating. She gives him his shot while he's eating and he doesn't flinch. If your Gizmo is very into his eating, maybe that might work? I had a hard time "tenting" Maggie's skin in the scruff because her hair there was so long. I ended up giving her shots in her tush for that reason. You might practice on a stuffed animal (one not to overstuffed) until you can tent the cloth of the animal easily and get the needle in quickly. Just a thought. Best of luck! You've found a very helpful and supportive place!Melinda & Maggie,14 yr. old mixed breed adopted in August 2001. Novilin N, 18u 2x a day; Alpo and Beneful canned food; she's getting up there, but doing alright! Blind, deaf, arthritic, but diabetes is well controlled.
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I could never use the scruff because Maggie would cry. It is not a great absorption spot so I would avoid it.Maggie - 15 1/2 y/o JRT diagnosed 9/2007, Angel status on 6/20/16. Her mantra was never give up but her body couldn't keep up with her spirit. Someday, baby.......
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Re: Gizmo refuses to let me give insulin
My Kirby is very good about his shots. We have a routine: Go outside and do business, come in and eat dinner, then get his insulin shot. I always get up and check his food bowl (even though he finishes it every time) and then he follows me back to get his shot. I say "time for insulin" like I would say time for a treat or walk. When we're all done he gets a treat that he only gets when he gets a shot. We end the routine with play time. I give the shot on his side per the vet's recommendation. I alternate sides morning and night. I feel very lucky that it is working so well. One thing that probably made a difference is that he was so very sick when we started he would let me do anything. We use Novolin N.
I have more trouble taking blood. I did successfully do a curve last Friday all on my own. I remembered what people said about them sensing your stress and I tried not to act upset. Sometimes I have trouble getting even a drop of blood and it can be very frustrating. Usually I dread the curve for days before I do it. This time I focused on knowing I was helping Kirby and making him better instead.
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Re: Gizmo refuses to let me give insulin
Originally posted by Gizmo'sMom3 View PostGizmo weighs 11 lbs and I am using Vetsulin with the U40 needles. I've tried giving him treats while doing it but that doesn't work. Also tried loving him and relaxing him, and also putting him on my lap. But he just jumps off right away when he either sees the needle or I put the needle near his neck. I'm on my way to my vet now to see if they can give me some tips. Maybe changing the location of the shot will help.
CraigAnnie was an 18 pound Lhasa Apso that crossed the rainbow bridge on 10-5-17. She was nearly 17 years old and diabetic for 9½ years.
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Re: Gizmo refuses to let me give insulin
Originally posted by Auddog View PostI'm curious to know where you are injecting on Gizmo. I think some areas are more sensitive than others on dogs. I originally gave my dog Bazzle his shots in the scruff of his neck, and after a short while he started throwing a tantrum. Crying, yelping, knawing on my arm, then nipping at my hand. Once we switched from his scruff to his side, all the problems went away.
For other people reading this thread though and who may be encountering similar problems, the sitting on him is a good solution. I'm hoping one of these two techniques will work. Let's see how tomorrow am goes.
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Re: Gizmo refuses to let me give insulin
Originally posted by CraigM View PostThe reason I asked his weight and insulin is that if you are using the standard U-40 syringes for Vetsulin in a tiny dog, that might hurt? Standard U-40 syringes are thick 29 gauge and are long in length. Those of us using Novolin-N use thinner 30, or 31 gauge, short needles that might not hurt as much? Probably not the reason.
Craig
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