It’s a sad thing to know you are going to have to medicate your cat for the rest of his or her life but a tiny bit of insulin twice a day can make your cat’s life a lot happier and more comfortable.
One cat I visit on a regular basis was skinny and tired and irritable until a friend of the family noticed he had lost a lot of weight and said “dude, get this cat to the vet, he might just need insulin!” Sure enough, Pico needed daily insulin to help him process his food properly and keep his blood sugar normal.
When I first met him, Pico was scruffy and skinny having just started insulin shots the month before. His coat was dry and dull, and he was a little cranky and out of sorts. The first time I offered him a pet reaching my hand slowly toward him, he nipped me lightly on the finger to warn me against touching him.
When I saw him a few months later when his humans went out of town he was a different cat! He was plump and cuddly and loved to be petted. His coat was shiny and soft. His disposition was smiley, and he purred easily when petted.
Pico didn’t mind the insulin shots. The needle for cats is very thin so you have to be careful not to bend it when inserting it into the grey rubber barrier in the medicine dispenser. Usually the medicine dispenser looks like a pen with a top you unscrew to access the liquid.
I have had to throw out a needle and start over when this happens. Usually, the amount of insulin for a cat is tiny. Just a 16th of an inch or so of the syringe will be filled depending on the amount the doctor prescribes. Pico has his insulin shots in the scruff of his neck.
You have to pick up the fur of his neck and make sure to push the needle in before you depress the syringe. Otherwise, if you push the syringe too soon you just pour insulin onto his fur.
He doesn’t mind it too much because he gets breakfast or dinner right after the shot, so he associates having a human grab him by the scruff of the neck and then feed him delicious treats and meals.
Some cats have the shots in their hip muscle instead of the neck. Whichever location you decide to use, make sure you vary the spot a little bit each time, so it doesn’t become sore.
At first it might seem scary to have to poke your cat with a needle but soon it becomes routine. It is very quick and barely noticeable to the cat once you become used to doing it. It helps to associate the shot with a favorite toy or game or treat.
So, if your cat needs daily insulin don’t despair. It really isn’t that big a deal and your cat will be happier and healthier.
Oral insulin for cats
Depending on your cat’s symptoms they may be able to take oral insulin. Bexacat is a tablet form mentioned on the Fear Free Pets site. You can ask your care provider about it.