Long Term Care Of Diabetic Cat

This community helped me so much when "Dr. Gonzo" decided to swallow some rubber and needed surgery so I'm coming to you again for some advice. By the way, Dr. Gonzo is doing well but still has a craving for rubber so no flip flops are allowed in the house.

My question is about our other cat, Hunter. He's diabetic and I give him insulin shots twice a day. This has been going on for 4 years. The shots are applied behind the neck and I move the location around, not always in the same spot. For the most part I do the shots while he's eating and he doesn't even react. But lately, I noticed it's harder to put the needle in through his fur. It feels like it's tougher skin. Could it be scar tissue from all those shots? Should I just keep at it? Occasionally, he will react where he didn't before. I hate to hurt him.

Any advice from other who have been through this before?

Thanks

I have zero experience with diabetes in cats but what you described happens with humans too. When my cat stayed at the clinic for a week they had to change her IV needle place to her other paw because the first vein got closed on the first paw.

I would definitely call the vet clinic and ask them.

You may want to join the FelineDiabetes.com message board if you're not already a member.

It could be a bit of scar tissue. Try using a different spot on the neck scruff to inject. Some people inject along the flank instead of the neck scruff. Be sure to always use a brand new insulin syringe and insert it bevel up. A thinner gauge needle may also help.

LTS3 said:

You may want to join the FelineDiabetes.com message board if you're not already a member.

It could be a bit of scar tissue. Try using a different spot on the neck scruff to inject. Some people inject along the flank instead of the neck scruff. Be sure to always use a brand new insulin syringe and insert it bevel up. A thinner gauge needle may also help.

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Thanks for the reference. I've joined this group.