Won't allow me to inject insulin, is afraid of me.
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My Basenji recently diagnosed with diabetes has become aggressive to me. (Sat evening home from vet) He bit me on the first attempt to inject insulin. On second attempt, bit the needle. On third try I was partly successful. This was without muzzling him.
(Sunday morning) He would not allow me to get near, growling and snapping even approaching him with open hand of treats. I have become that mean guy who hurts him with a needle. I will be purchasing the muzzle when the stores open today for another attempt to inject him.
Any suggestions?
My bud that used to jump up in my lap and give me Basenji hugs is now growling at me and is afraid. And this kind of traumatic for me also, I know he's always been a sweet loving guy (grouchy when woken) and I want to help him get better. This is making him mean and afraid of me. -
hi Dale,
When I have done injections, I have found a few things that make a difference - the angle the needle enters, the temperature of the medication and what you do afterwards. Did you get proper instruction regarding how to inject? Depending on the angle you insert the needle, the injection can be painful. Aim for a 45 degree angle in the skin you pinch up. It's also best to let the insulin (in the needle) warm up for about a half hour or so. Cold injections can hurt. Make sure to reward him extensively after the injection with a favourite treat.
The other thing I have done is to get someone else to do the injection instead of myself. Do you have a fellow dog owner/friend who could help you out? This way, your buddy wouldn't see you as the 'bad' one.
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As a diabetic, trust me the insulin is such a small amt it warms in about 10 mins. :) Really less.
Get the SHORT ultra thin needles. Practice injecting water into an orange til YOU get used to doing it over and over and over. Or use a nerf ball so you can practice pinching up the "skin".
You can buy lidocaine to numb, but it takes about 15 mins to numb the skin. But honest, insulin needles don't really hurt if you do it right. You could probably have him chewing on a bone and not even notice once you get this down pat.
Next question, where in GA? I am up above Atlanta. Sadly I disagree with Fran on friend helping as this is a life long thing you have to get in hand, but maybe some help to get you started.
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/insulin_administration_guide.html
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You can buy lidocaine to numb, but it takes about 15 mins to numb the skin. But honest, insulin needles don't really hurt if you do it right. You could probably have him chewing on a bone and not even notice once you get this down
i have heard of people who will put a dollop of peanut butter on the fridge and have the dog lick it off while they do the dog's nails. perhaps that would work??? otherwise i don't have much to offer except i'm sorry.
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I used to straddle my girl, both facing forward, pinch up the skin on the back of her neck and quickly inject. My hubby would hold her head at first, then she got used to it, probably lost some sensation in that area, and it was no problem and I could do it alone. I like the idea of distracting him while you do it, but you must figure out a way to give his injections. The less drama and 'to-do' the better, just be matter of fact and get it done, then lots of pets and maybe a short walk.
Good luck!
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surely there is a diabetic dog list somewhere on this big wide world web? i'm sure you'd find lots of good ideas there.
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i have heard of people who will put a dollop of peanut butter on the fridge and have the dog lick it off while they do the dog's nails. perhaps that would work??? otherwise i don't have much to offer except i'm sorry.
LOL have done that. But with diabetic dog, he can't give peanut butter which is why I suggested a chew bone or raw meaty bone or something with protein that won't effect his blood sugar.
But if the OP responds and is near by, I really will be happy to go help work on it.
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Debra, a friend! That is why this forum is so wonderful - there are so many people willing to help others out!
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I used to have to give my cat Gypsy insulin shots, after a few days she would come downstairs waiting for it (since she got fed right after). Just pinched the back neck, stuck it in real quick and was done. :)
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make the experience a good one! Besides practicing giving the needle like a pro, make it a good time for your dog, involve treats and praise. Peanut butter is a good idea, or maybe a kong if you have one? I would also get a special treat that you give only after the needle is done, so that your dog associates it with an extra special something!
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Thanks for all the kind responses. Nelson still doesn't like the shots, its harder on me. I changed needles to U-100's per Vet. A little easier to inject but still Yelps on injection of insulin. I purchased muzzle, which helps on the biting but he struggles to get it off, making in difficult to stick him. I'm alone here so it's hard…Ketone level = 0 Glucose = >2. he gets 3.5-4 units insulin...
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Dale we are nearly neighbors, would be glad to come over and help. Can also bring some different insulin needles so you can see if the ultra thins help. The U100 just means how much it holds..what you need is ultra thin.
REALLY confused about the glucose reading. What kind of tester are you using? His blood sugar should be under 180 (btw, humans want it closer to 100 but in dogs, a bit higher… to be honest by the time it does damage dogs are dead as it takes 10 or more years). At 2 he'd be dead. Does your meter mean 2 is 200? Even if you have it switched from the normal mode to mmol/L, it should STILL be about 7 to 10. Am sending you my phone number, call me.
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Dale
Are you using Vetsulin insulin???? I had problems regulating my 13yo male. Come to find out, the FDA has warned vets to change dogs over to a different kind of insulin. Has something to do with the release time of the crystalline portion of the drug.
We had the WORST time at first giving shots,( and I'm a certified phlebotomist and went thru nursing school) My boy was fine at the vets we they did it…..difference is he was up on the exam table. We got a table for Einstein, put a bath mat on it so he wouldn't slip around. Biggest thing that helped was getting BD needles, the ones that come from the vets are carp-ola, they have burrs etc...the only thing you have to do is change the number of units you use.(if your using Vetsulin U40 compared to U100 for human insulin and BD needles.) I can explain in further detail if you want.
It did take both myself and my husband to get him used to the shots, be we had a very specific routine that we did not alter. Einstein knew that after he ate it was "time for his medicine" he would run over to his table and try to jump up there himself. If we were taking too long, he'd come get us. Freezed Dried Liver was used to get him on the table, then when he was done, given while he was still on the table. I made sure he could see the liver. When he was done and off the table, he got his (small) KONG filled with fat free cream cheese mixed with some tuna mmmmmmmm. My little puppy-cat loved tuna. Anyway, I went from crying during the shot, to smiling and laughing 'cause he was so funny trying to get on the table, and then doing his little dance when he got his kong. I really think the table helped...
Please let me know if I can help any more, I can describe the contraption (sp) I built on top of his metal crate, so I could give the shot by myself when needed.
He didn't seeem to mind getting the shots at all, I think he trusted and knew we would never do anything to hurt him, plus we made a HUGE DEAL out of telling him what a good boy he was....etc......people would have thought we were bananas LOL
Good Luck
PJ
