What if we might have given the insulin twice?

What you might notice at home

One person gave the morning injection, and someone else, half asleep, gave it again. Or you just can't remember if you did it. He may look fine, but that doesn't mean he is.

It happens in busy homes, so don't beat yourself up. A simple chart on the fridge, ticked each time, is the easiest way to stop it happening again.

What to tell the clinic now

• Who might have given it, and at what time.
• Whether you know it was given twice, or you're just not sure.
• Whether he ate, and how he seems right now.
• The name of the insulin, as it's printed on the box.

What to set up once he's safe

A shared chart everyone ticks: the day, morning or evening, the time, and who gave it. The blank schedule is set up for this. Write the amount in yourself, copied from your vet's plan, not from memory.

How do two people in a home avoid doubling up the shot?

In a busy home it's easy to worry that someone already gave the shot. Keep one paper record that everyone checks before the injection and signs straight after giving it. Decide who is responsible for each injection time. A message saying someone was going to do it doesn't mean it got done.

If the record isn't clear, ask the other person and call the vet before anyone gives another one. If your dog might have had a double injection, call the vet urgently. A note on one person's phone isn't a shared record, so keep the paper one by the insulin.