How to Give a Dog an Insulin Shot

Diabetes is a common ailment in aging dogs and young dogs with a family history of the disease. Female dogs get the disease more often than males, but males can be affected as well. As is true of diabetes in humans, obese dogs and animals that do not get much exercise are at an increased risk of developing diabetes. Fortunately, insulin-dependent diabetes can be controlled.

Instructions

Preparing the Insulin

1. Know what insulin concentration and syringe to use. Insulin comes in concentrations of 40 u/ml, 100 u/ml and 500 u/ml. Each concentration must be measured using the correct syringe to ensure that your dog receives the proper amount of insulin.

2. Check the expiration date on the insulin vial. It is important that you do not give your dog expired insulin.

3. Mix the insulin until it becomes cloudy. Be sure to mix the insulin by rolling it between your palms. Never shake insulin as this will cause air bubbles.

4. Remove the plastic cap from the syringe you will use for the injection.

5. Place the tip of the syringe into the insulin vial. Do this by holding the insulin vial upside down in one hand while you insert the needle into the vial with the other hand.

6. Draw the correct amount of insulin into the syringe by pulling back the plunger. Remember to measure the amount of insulin using the top of the black rubber stopper. Push the plunger in to send the insulin back into the vial and then draw the correct amount a second time. This will help you to double-check the amount of insulin in the syringe and avoid air bubbles.

7. Remove the syringe from the vial and examine it. Check to make sure that the syringe contains the correct amount of insulin. Also look for any air bubbles. If you find an air bubble, gently tap the syringe until the bubble floats to the top of the syringe and then push the plunger in until the air bubble is forced out through the needle.

Giving the Dog the Shot

1. Be calm and relaxed. If you are nervous about giving your dog the shot she will likely sense this and may become nervous as well.

2. Lift a fold of skin between your dog's shoulders. Use a slightly different spot on the dog every time you give an injection so as not to make him unnecessarily sore.

3. Check the needle position by pulling back slightly on the plunger. If any blood comes into the syringe it means you have the needle in a blood vessel. Pull the needle back out of the dog and insert it in a new spot.

4. Push the plunger into the syringe until all of the insulin is pushed out of the syringe and into the dog.

5. Remove the syringe from your dog and reward him with a treat, toy or scratch behind the ears.

Tips & Warnings

• For the first few injections you may want to have someone help you by holding the dog still or distracting her. Keep a log of when shots are given to your dog so that doses are not missed or given too frequently.

• Insulin must be stored in the refrigerator.

References

• Washington State Uiversity College of Veterinary Medicine
• Docotrs Foster and Smith
• Healthy Pet