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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, fructosamine) 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.
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 hypoglycemia.
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.
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. Check for air bubbles 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. Your confidence reassures your pet, and it all goes very quickly.
Settle in, calmly
Pick a quiet spot where your pet feels safe (a stable table, your lap). A low-carb treat can distract it, 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. 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.
Spotting low blood sugar
This is the complication to know inside out. If blood sugar drops too low, your pet can weaken fast. Learn 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 honey or corn syrup (such as Karo) on the gums, then offer food. If it is very weak, unconscious, or seizing, rub sugar on the gums anyway and go straight to an emergency clinic. Do not give any more insulin, 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: contact your doctor, insulin lowers your blood sugar.
- 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?
Does it hurt?
Can I reuse a syringe?
Why the regular blood tests?
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, safe from complications. At the slightest doubt, we are here.