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This guide is a home-care support tool. It does not replace personalized advice from your veterinarian. For any questions, contact us at 514-223-1197.
Insulin day to day
Giving insulin is at the heart of managing your dog's or cat's diabetes. The idea of an injection can feel daunting at first, but with a little practice and calm, it quickly becomes a routine for you both. One thing matters above all: insulin goes hand in hand with the meal.
A steady routine
At fixed times, usually morning and evening, to keep blood sugar stable.
The exact dose
Follow the prescription to the letter; never change it without our advice.
Regular monitoring
Blood tests (glucose and fructosamine, markers of blood sugar) let us fine-tune the treatment.
The golden rule: no meal, no insulin
Give insulin only after your pet has eaten its meal, unless your veterinarian says otherwise. If it refuses to eat, eats much less than usual, or vomits its meal, do not give the usual dose: call us first. Insulin on an empty stomach can cause dangerous hypoglycemia (a drop in blood sugar).
Prepare and draw the dose
A few simple steps, always in the same order, for an accurate dose and insulin in good condition.
Feed your pet first
Unless told otherwise, give the meal before the injection. A pet that has eaten regulates its blood sugar better and is at lower risk of low blood sugar.
Prepare the insulin
Store it as we recommend (usually in the fridge, never the freezer). Before each use, roll the vial gently between your hands to mix the solution, without shaking it. Write the opening date on the vial and discard it after the time frame we give you, even if some is left: insulin loses its potency over time. Never use insulin that has changed in appearance (clumps, floating particles, unusual color, or a cloudy liquid where it should be clear), or that has frozen or overheated.
Clean and draw the dose
Wipe the rubber stopper with an isopropyl alcohol swab. Invert the vial and draw the prescribed amount into a new syringe. Clear any air bubbles (they take the place of insulin and throw the dose off), then, with the syringe at eye level, check that the top of the plunger lines up exactly with the prescribed number of units, no more and no less, before removing the needle.
Use only the syringes provided
Insulin comes in different concentrations (U-40, U-100), and the syringe must match the insulin exactly. A syringe that does not match throws the dose completely off. Use only the syringes we gave you for your pet's insulin, and never switch types without checking with us.
Where to inject, and why to rotate
Insulin goes under the skin, over the trunk, about 2.5 to 5 cm (1 to 2 in) from the line of the back, toward the shoulder blade or hip. Change the spot with each injection to avoid discomfort and small lumps under the skin.
Giving the injection
Settle in calmly. It is normal to feel a little nervous the first few times: your confidence comes quickly, it reassures your pet, and it all goes very fast.
Settle in, calmly
Pick a quiet spot where your pet feels safe (a stable table, your lap). A small low-carb treat can distract it without replacing its meal, and a helper can hold it gently if needed.
Hold the syringe
In your dominant hand. Do not put a finger on the plunger until the needle is under the skin: that way you will not inject too early or lose the dose.
Make a skin tent
With your other hand, gently pinch the skin into a small tent. This makes sure the needle goes under the skin, and not into the fur or muscle.
Insert the needle
Gently, into the center of the tent, well under the skin (into the skin you are holding, not the muscle underneath). Most pets barely feel a thing, the needle is very fine.
Inject the dose
With the needle under the skin, press the plunger slowly all the way to deliver the full dose, then withdraw the needle gently.
Dispose of the syringe safely
Put the needle and syringe straight into a sharps container. Ask us how to return or dispose of it.
Praise yourself, and your pet
A reward (petting, play, a suitable treat) links the moment with something positive. You did it.
If your pet resists, stop
Never restrain by force. If your pet struggles, stiffens, growls, or panics, stop, let it settle for a few minutes, then try again gently. Forcing teaches your pet to dread the moment and makes each injection harder. Reward it before and during, not only after, to build a positive association. If the injection becomes a fight every time, call us: we can review the technique with you.
Spotting low blood sugar
This is the complication to know inside out. If blood sugar drops too low, your pet can weaken fast: here is how to recognize it and act.
- Sudden weakness or trembling.
- An unsteady walk, a loss of balance.
- Disorientation or confusion.
- Unusual drowsiness.
- In severe cases: collapse or seizures.
Act fast: sugar, then the emergency room
If your pet can still swallow, rub about a teaspoon of honey or corn syrup (such as Karo) on the gums, then offer food; it should improve within 10 to 15 minutes. If it is very weak, unconscious, or seizing, do not give it anything to swallow and do not pour liquid into its mouth (choking risk): rub only a small amount of sugar onto the gums or inside the cheek, keeping your fingers clear of a possible bite, and go straight to an emergency clinic. Do not give any more insulin, and call us.
The other emergency: blood sugar too high (ketoacidosis)
Low blood sugar is not the only danger. In a diabetic pet, blood sugar that stays too high can lead to ketoacidosis. Signs to know: it refuses to eat, vomits, and becomes very dull or weak, sometimes with sweet or nail-polish-smelling breath and fast breathing. This is also an emergency: do not wait, go to an emergency clinic and call us.
When to call us
Beyond hypoglycemia, call us in these situations:
- Your pet does not eat, eats much less, or vomits its meal: do not give the usual dose before speaking with us.
- It seems lethargic, unsteady, or drowsy before the injection (a risk of hypoglycemia).
- You are unsure of the dose or think you missed the injection: never double the dose, and call us.
- You injected the insulin into yourself by accident: eat or drink something sugary right away (insulin lowers your blood sugar), do not stay alone, and call Info-Santé at 811, your doctor, or the Quebec Poison Control Centre at 1 800 463-5060. These resources are for you, not for the animal.
- Your pet is drinking, urinating, or losing weight noticeably more than before: the treatment may need adjusting.
Your questions, our answers
What owners of diabetic pets ask us most.
My pet hasn't eaten. Should I still give the insulin?
I'm not sure the injection went in. What do I do?
My pet moved and I see blood or a wet spot. What do I do?
My pet won't let me give the injection. What do I do?
Does it hurt?
Can I reuse a syringe?
Travelling, or if someone else has to inject?
Why the regular blood tests?
Will my pet need insulin for life?
See also
A routine that protects your pet
With a meal, an accurate dose, a rotating site, and a good routine, the insulin injection becomes a simple, reassuring gesture. That is what gives your diabetic pet a comfortable, balanced life, reducing the risk of complications. At the slightest doubt, we are here.
A question about your pet's insulin?
Injection technique, behavior, doubts about the dose or the supplies: our team can show you the technique and adjust the treatment. Just ask.