VETTECH U 2024 / HOUSTON, TX
“SWEET” AND LOW: TECH TIPS FOR CLIENT EDUCATION ON DIABETES ALEXIA VILCHIS, LVT INTERNAL MEDICINE, GULF COAST VETERINARY SPECIALISTS
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SATURDAY PM • SEPTEMBER 21 1:15-2:00PM
As veterinary technicians, our role in ensuring the best care for our patients extends beyond the clinic walls. Through client education, we empower pet owners with the knowledge and techniques to provide the best care at home. In this lecture, I will discuss the crucial ways we can equip clients with these tools, highlighting the significance of our role in this process. Client education starts with the basics, such as discussing what diabetes mellitus (DM) is. Type 1 DM occurs when the pancreas cannot make insulin due to damage, which is why this type of diabetes is often referred to as insulin dependent. Type 2 DM occurs when the pancreas produces insufficient insulin to keep a patient's blood glucose at a desired level. Type 2 diabetes is often associated with obesity and is known as insulin resistant diabetes. While both types are diagnosed in cats and dogs, cats most often suffer from type 2, while dogs are more likely to suffer from type 1. A fascinating and hopeful aspect about diabetic cats is that they can go into diabetic remission if maintained well! Keeping pets on a well- balanced, low-fat diet can be very helpful when trying to achieve remission. Once a patient is diagnosed with diabetes based on which type they have, their doctor may prescribe them insulin. There are many different types of insulin, such as Vetsulin®. Vetsulin was the first insulin to be FDA-approved for cats and dogs. It is also an intermediate-acting insulin, with the duration of activity lasting 14- 24 hours in dogs and 8-12 hours in cats. When educating clients about insulin, it is crucial to emphasize the importance of proper administration and safe storage and handling. While most insulins are stored similarly, it is essential to read the product recommendations if you are unfamiliar with a specific type before educating your clients. Most insulin must be refrigerated, and it is vital to stress that it should not be frozen or left in a car, as insulin can lose its efficacy if exposed to extreme temperatures. This
emphasis on responsibility and care in handling insulin is a testament to our commitment to ensuring the best care for our patients. During my technician demos on insulin administration, I first review where somebody can administer insulin. Insulin should only be administered subcutaneously, and it is essential that clients change the administration location to avoid tenderness. Once my client is comfortable tenting the skin and choosing an administration site, I teach them to read a syringe and properly draw up a medication. Drawing up insulin can differ slightly based on the delivery method (vial vs pen). Correctly drawing up medications is crucial because a client must know the difference between administering 1 and 10 units. Please keep in mind that it is IMPERATIVE that the correct syringe type (e.g., U-40 vs U-100) be used, depending on which insulin is prescribed. Once my clients are comfortable reading a syringe, I teach them to prepare an insulin bottle before administering it. The first steps are to remove the insulin from the fridge and to wash your hands thoroughly. Your client can then place the insulin between their hands and gently roll the insulin bottle/pen in their hands. Gently rolling the insulin ensures the medication is evenly distributed, and if there is slight crystallization due to refrigeration, this will allow the crystals to break down. Please note that specifically with Vetsulin®, per the instructions, the vial must be shaken thoroughly until a homogenous, uniformly milky suspension is obtained. This is different from other types of insulin! Once the insulin has been evenly mixed, ask clients to wipe the top with an alcohol prep pad in case of possible contamination before puncturing the insulin. When drawing up insulin, I recommend placing the bottle on a flat surface before inserting the syringe into the rubber stopper. After the bottle has been punctured, I grab the bottle carefully with the syringe still in it and turn it upside down with one hand while
SEPTEMBER 20-22, 2024 | PROCEEDINGS | VETGIRLONTHERUN.COM
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VETTECH U
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