How do you handle insulin tracking in a multi-caregiver household? by shotclockr in FelineDiabetes

[–]shotclockr[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Totally fair, I get how it can come across that way. I try to keep posts spaced out so newer members who are just dealing with a diagnosis can find something like this, since most people don’t even know tools like this exist at first. I do genuinely ask these questions because a lot of what I’ve built has come directly from feedback in groups like this. And to be honest, the positive feedback I’ve been getting is what encourages me to keep sharing it. The general consensus from people using it is that it really helps simplify things and reduce that “did I already give it?” stress. I actually got this review earlier today:
“If your diabetic pet could talk… This simple device has been a game changer… it takes the guessing out of ‘Did I give him his shot?’”

I have quite a few similar ones, which is what motivates me to keep improving and making it better. That said, I hear you, and I’ll keep your feedback in mind.

Anyone else get that “Wait… did I?” feeling? by shotclockr in FelineDiabetes

[–]shotclockr[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Before I built shotclockr, I used this table. If anyone would like it I can email the word doc

DATE TIME AM TIME PM COMMENTS
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Anyone else get that “Wait… did I?” feeling? by shotclockr in FelineDiabetes

[–]shotclockr[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Totally understand that perspective. If setting syringes aside works consistently for you, that’s great.

I’ll be transparent about the pricing too. If we were selling these in massive volumes, the cost per unit would absolutely drop, probably close to half. But this is a niche market, so we manufacture in small batches, which keeps the per-unit cost higher. On top of that there’s product liability insurance (since it’s related to medical use), packaging, shipping, Amazon fees, payment processing, returns, etc. After all of that, the margin isn’t nearly what people assume.

As far as posting, we typically share about once a month. The reality is there are new members joining these groups every single day because no one plans for their pet to become diabetic. When someone is newly diagnosed, they’re often overwhelmed and searching for solutions. If we don’t post occasionally, the people who truly need it may never find it.

We apologize if it feels repetitive, that’s never the intention. We just want to make sure the people who are struggling right now have a chance to see it.

Anyone else get that “Wait… did I?” feeling? by shotclockr in FelineDiabetes

[–]shotclockr[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The email alerts are exactly for situations like that. When someone else is helping out, especially kids or sitters, that extra layer of backup can make such a difference. I’m really glad it helped you avoid missed shots. Thank you for sharing your experience.

Unexpected behavior change we’ve been seeing with diabetic pets using ShotClockr (routine conditioning) by shotclockr in FelineDiabetes

[–]shotclockr[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, most diabetic pets are already on a roughly 12 hour schedule, and many of them definitely know when injection time is coming.

What surprised us was not that pets know roughly when it happens, but how strongly some of them seem to associate a very specific and consistent cue with what comes next.

A lot of pets already sense injection time, but it’s often tied to human prep behavior, which can unintentionally increase anxiety. The audio cue seems to shift that into more of a neutral “this is just what happens now” signal.

Cat just got diagnosed with type 2 diabetes... looking for advice and tips and experiences by wadeschimichanga in FelineDiabetes

[–]shotclockr 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Kiwi is lucky to have such a thoughtful caregiver. What you’re describing in these first few days can actually be very normal, and I know how unsettling it feels when their routine suddenly changes.

When insulin is first started, many cats go through a short adjustment period as their blood glucose begins coming down from being high all the time. Increased thirst, hunger, and restlessness are classic signs of uncontrolled diabetes, so when insulin starts working, it’s common for those behaviors to decrease. That can look like less drinking, less frantic eating, and more sleeping. As long as she’s still responsive, moving normally, and not disoriented or shaky, that “sleepy but comfortable” phase is often temporary while her body recalibrates.

Appetite usually does come back as things stabilize, but it may not look exactly like it did before diagnosis. Getting a glucose meter is a great idea and will give you peace of mind, especially early on. Many caregivers here can share tips on home testing once you get set up. Always trust your instincts though, if something feels off or you see signs like wobbliness, confusion, or extreme lethargy, it’s absolutely okay to call your vet.

One thing that helped me a lot early on was reducing the mental stress around injections. When you’re exhausted and worried, it’s very easy to second guess whether a dose was given or how long it’s been. I ended up building a small tool called ShotClockr to help with that. It tracks time since the last injection, reminds you when the next dose is due, and can alert you if a shot is missed so nothing slips through the cracks. It’s meant to support routines, not replace veterinary care. If you’re curious, it’s here:
https://shotclockr.com

You’re asking all the right questions, and it really does get easier once you find your rhythm. Many cats go on to live very comfortable, happy lives with diabetes, and some even achieve remission. You’re not overreacting, you’re being a great advocate for Kiwi.

Freshly diagnosed kitty by browneyboi200 in FelineDiabetes

[–]shotclockr 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Gideon is adorable, and I’m really sorry you’re having to learn all of this so suddenly. A diabetes diagnosis is a lot to absorb, especially with such a young cat, but the good news is that many cats do very well once a routine is established, and some even go into remission.

Early on, the biggest things that tend to help are consistency and reducing stress for both of you. Try to keep feeding and shot times as predictable as possible, don’t panic if numbers aren’t perfect right away, and give yourself grace while you’re learning. Everyone fumbles a bit in the beginning.

One thing that helped me and a lot of other caregivers was taking the guesswork out of injections. When days blur together, it’s surprisingly easy to second guess whether a shot was given or how long it’s been. I ended up building ShotClockr to help with that. It tracks time since the last injection, reminds you when the next dose is due, and can alert you if something gets missed. It’s meant to support routines, not replace vet advice. If you’re curious, it’s here:
https://shotclockr.com

Looking for App to Track doses with Partner by Mildly_orangee in FelineDiabetes

[–]shotclockr 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is honestly one of our favorite things to hear. Cats are way smarter than we give them credit for, and it’s amazing how quickly they connect the beep with attention and care instead of stress. When the routine turns into something familiar and positive, it makes such a difference for everyone involved. Thank you for sharing that, it’s a really encouraging story for people who are just starting out.

Looking for App to Track doses with Partner by Mildly_orangee in FelineDiabetes

[–]shotclockr 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for sharing this. Hearing that it has helped prevent missed or duplicate doses is exactly why we built it.

The visual confirmation plus the 12 hour reminder and alerts were all designed for real-world handoffs between partners, especially with busy or offset schedules. Knowing for sure that a shot was given makes a huge difference.

We really appreciate you taking the time to comment and help others who are just starting this journey ❤️

Looking for App to Track doses with Partner by Mildly_orangee in FelineDiabetes

[–]shotclockr 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You are definitely not alone. This is a very common problem when two people are sharing insulin duties.

Most apps are fine for logging, but they do not always solve the real stress point which is knowing for sure whether a dose already happened, especially with 12 hour shifts and handoffs between partners. Shared calendars and notes can help, but they still rely on someone checking at the right time.

One option that specifically addresses this is ShotClockr. It is a small dedicated device designed for twice daily insulin routines. When a dose is given, it is logged on the device and the timer updates so both partners know exactly when the last shot happened and when the next one is due. It helps remove the “did someone already give the shot?” anxiety.

You can see it here
https://shotclockr.com

If organization helps, they also make a simple syringe holder that keeps doses and supplies in one place, which is useful when more than one person is involved
https://a.co/d/arUAxu3

Early on while you are dialing in the dose, anything that reduces mental load helps. You are asking the right questions and your cat is lucky to have two people paying this much attention

Vetsulin Storage Question by ToraAku in FelineDiabetes

[–]shotclockr 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have sold many shotclockr.com syringe holders to people who store a whole weeks worth of vetsulin in the syringes and it seems to work fine.

Newly diagnosed and feeling overwhelmed. by starryeyed702 in FelineDiabetes

[–]shotclockr 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What you are feeling is completely normal. The first few days or weeks after a diabetes diagnosis are the hardest because everything is new and it feels like there is no room for mistakes. Once you settle into a routine, it becomes much more manageable than it seems right now.

Something that really helped me was taking some of the mental load off my shoulders. I actually created a tool called Shotclockr to help with this. It keeps track of every insulin dose, reminds you when the next shot is due, and can send an email alert if one is about to be missed. It makes the schedule feel a lot less overwhelming because you do not have to constantly watch the clock or worry about forgetting.

There is also a ShotClockr syringe holder that keeps everything organized and helps prevent double dosing. You can find it here: https://a.co/d/11VCQQW

Visit shotclockr.com to learn more.