Handling & administering insulin
Check the bottle for reconstitution instructions; most types of insulin require gentle inversion to redistribute the medication.
Double check which needle (U40 - veterinary vs. U100 - human) your pet’s insulin requires. This ensures the proper concentration of insulin is being given to your pet.
Invert the insulin bottle and carefully pull the recommended dosage into the syringe, e.g., 2 units. Ensure air bubbles are not present in the syringe by gently flicking the syringe with a fingernail.
Select a subcutaneous injection site between the shoulders of patient. Tent skin of the injection site and insert the needle to the hub at a 90-degree angle. Pull back on the syringe to ensure no intravascular entry (blood) and dispense all medication by pushing the plunger.
Remove the needle from the skin. Comfort your pet and tell them good job! Dispose needle/syringe in a sharps container and replace the insulin bottle in the refrigerator.
Remember to always give your pet’s insulin at the same time daily (usually 12-hour intervals, dependent on the type of insulin). Remember to always feed your pet right before or immediately after giving the insulin injection so that the glucose from the food can get into the cells for metabolism.
What to watch for in your pet
Watch for signs of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), such as abnormally low energy or decreased appetite, and neurologic signs such as obtundation or seizures. This is an emergency!
Watch for signs of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar and possible resistance to current insulin or dosage) such as lower energy, lower appetite, increased panting, increased water consumption and/or urination, weight loss, bad breath, and cataracts. Call a veterinarian for a recheck and glucose curve; it could be an emergency (especially if ketoacidosis is suspected).
Ketoacidosis occurs when a patient has been in a prolonged state of hyperglycemia and the body converts to a fat-burning metabolism. This can be dangerous because it results in excessive ketone body production and acidosis. This can lead to severe dehydration, electrolyte abnormalities, and neurologic signs with risk of death.