Incorrect Storage and/or Injection Technique

In cases of a poor response to insulin therapy, it is important to rule out these factors first.

Ask the client to come into your practice with their diabetic pet.

1. Discuss the daily routine - are injections and meals correctly timed?This is more important in dogs see Feeding Diabetic Dogs
2. Ask for a breakdown of exactly what the pet eats - perhaps the pet is receiving too many tit-bits or the incorrect diet. See Nutrition.
3. Ask the owner to demonstrate how they inject their pet.
   • Is the correct dose being drawn into the syringe?
   • Is the insulin being correctly injected subcutaneously and not intradermally?
4. Is the insulin being stored and used correctly?
   • Refrigerated at the correct temperature.
   • Stored in an upright position.
   • Refrigerated between doses.