Syringe Advice

[ReaAnn & Big Hoss]

Public Service Announcement: if you are having to "fine dose" your cat like I am (in other words, teeny, tiny, less than a quarter of one unit doses), do yourself a favor: PAY THE COUPLE EXTRA DOLLARS AND BUY MONOJECT SYRINGES!! Holy COW. I have been STRUGGLING with my BD syringes (also not cheap) trying to get 0.25 and now less than 0.25 doses and getting them consistent. I made the mistake of buying in bulk and I have nearly THREE HUNDRED of these stiff, crappy syringes. I can't tell you how much precious insulin I've shot into the air in my kitchen because these damn syringes are so stiff they're nearly impossible to "adjust" once you've drawn up the insulin. I finally just bit the bullet and bought a box of Monoject and they are like NIGHT and DAY. They're smooth as silk and so easy to adjust by droplets, they're AMAZING. So don't make the same mistake I did! If you need to dose your cat in quarter units or less, BUY MONOJECT!

 

[Hogan]

Thanks, that's definitely good to know! I was considering the BD syringes, just because I could get them on Amazon, but I definitely won't now. Which Monoject ones did you get?

I was looking at getting these: Monoject Ultra Comfort U-100 Syringes Half-Unit 31G 5/16" 3/10cc 100ct.

 

[ReaAnn & Big Hoss]

Thanks, that's definitely good to know! I was considering the BD syringes, just because I could get them on Amazon, but I definitely won't now. Which Monoject ones did you get?

I was looking at getting these: Monoject Ultra Comfort U-100 Syringes Half-Unit 31G 5/16" 3/10cc 100ct.

That is the exact kind I bought and I got them from ADW. There is literally NO COMPARISON between the Monoject and the BD syringes. The plunger action on the Monoject is so smooth and even that it makes fine, fine dosing a breeze. I thought maybe I just had a "bad box" of the BD, but nope. I have three boxes of them and they're ALL like that. I just HATE I'm stuck with nearly 300 of the BD syringes that I will never use. I think I'm going to ask my Vet if she has any other feline diabetic patients whose owners might want them.

 

[FurBabiesMama]

Monoject is all I use.

 

[Hogan]

I'm buying the Monojects right now!

 

[Julie and Honey]

Good to know, that is the one I was looking at also. Nice to hear people are happy with them.

 

[alexthecat]

Those are the syringes that I used with Cleo. They were so much easier to use and I don't think she felt the injections at all. Maybe you could offer the old syringes in the Supply Closet. Someone else might want them.

 

[Tina and Boozle]

We used the BDs with Frank. The ProZinc came with some starter pack with their syringes and they seem to work about the same. Have you tried pulling the plunger back and forth a few times? Not sure where I learned that, but it helps "unstick" the stopper.

 

[Ziggymom]

Public Service Announcement: if you are having to "fine dose" your cat like I am (in other words, teeny, tiny, less than a quarter of one unit doses), do yourself a favor: PAY THE COUPLE EXTRA DOLLARS AND BUY MONOJECT SYRINGES!! Holy COW. I have been STRUGGLING with my BD syringes (also not cheap) trying to get 0.25 and now less than 0.25 doses and getting them consistent. I made the mistake of buying in bulk and I have nearly THREE HUNDRED of these stiff, crappy syringes. I can't tell you how much precious insulin I've shot into the air in my kitchen because these damn syringes are so stiff they're nearly impossible to "adjust" once you've drawn up the insulin. I finally just bit the bullet and bought a box of Monoject and they are like NIGHT and DAY. They're smooth as silk and so easy to adjust by droplets, they're AMAZING. So don't make the same mistake I did! If you need to dose your cat in quarter units or less, BUY MONOJECT!

Do they sell those at Wal-Mart or do you have to get them from different pharmacy?

 

[Julie and Honey]

***FYI, anyone considering new syringes, please also make sure you are getting the correct syringe with dosing for the insulin suspension you are using. A lot of insulins we use for pets use u-100 syringes, but not all. I think, for example, Vetsulin uses u40’s..***


In regard to the Monojects being discussed:

I didn’t see them at Walmart, but they are online here...

https://www.adwdiabetes.com/product...00-syringes-half-unit-31g-5-16in-3-10cc-100ct

They also sell the 30 gauge, which are a little less money and are only slightly larger needle, the 30 gauge is what my vet uses. And that is still a very fine needle. Not sure the cat can distinguish between the 31 and 30 gauge unless they are extremely sensitive. They did a study on elderly humans whose skin is usually more sensitive and they could not tell the difference between those 2, so there is that..

 

[Ti-Mousse (GA) Pepe (GA)]

What a good timing !! My Ti-Mousse is having problems with the injections sometimes and I was looking to replace the BD! I'm ordering the Monojects. Thanks

 

[Hogan]

What a good timing !! My Ti-Mousse is having problems with the injections sometimes and I was looking to replace the BD! I'm ordering the Monojects. Thanks

I was reading in your thread that you were having trouble with your injections. I have the same problem - there is very little loose skin to pull up. I'm currently using Ulticare 29g 1/2" syringes, and I'm hoping the finer gauge and shorter needle length will help. I watched all the youtube videos of how to inject in case I was doing something wrong, and I realized there is a big difference between the looseness of the skin of those cats compared to Hogan. As soon as I start pulling up the skin, his pupils dilate and he gets mad. I'm trying to vary the injection site in case he's sore from prior injections, but there are not very many places I can pull up enough skin. Hopefully the syringes will help!

 

[Ti-Mousse (GA) Pepe (GA)]

I was reading in your thread that you were having trouble with your injections. I have the same problem - there is very little loose skin to pull up. I'm currently using Ulticare 29g 1/2" syringes, and I'm hoping the finer gauge and shorter needle length will help. I watched all the youtube videos of how to inject in case I was doing something wrong, and I realized there is a big difference between the looseness of the skin of those cats compared to Hogan. As soon as I start pulling up the skin, his pupils dilate and he gets mad. I'm trying to vary the injection site in case he's sore from prior injections, but there are not very many places I can pull up enough skin. Hopefully the syringes will help!

We're having the same problem!! I used to give SubQs injections to another of my cat who was CKD and I could make a tent of 2-3 inches high, but Ti-Mousse noway.... Sometimes it's OK, but most of the times he growls and I'm feeling bad thinking it probably hurts. I'm changing spots also (side of the belly : ouf, never touch there...); last night I tried the scruff for the 1st time and he didn't say anything! I'm using the BD short 1/4" 31g; I was going to try the Monojects but I'm told they are very hard to find in Canada. So for now, I'll stay with the BD but I'll get the 5/16" ones; I'll keep looking until I find better. If you find a solution to our problem, let me know !!!

 

[Hogan]

We're having the same problem!! I used to give SubQs injections to another of my cat who was CKD and I could make a tent of 2-3 inches high, but Ti-Mousse noway.... Sometimes it's OK, but most of the times he growls and I'm feeling bad thinking it probably hurts. I'm changing spots also (side of the belly : ouf, never touch there...); last night I tried the scruff for the 1st time and he didn't say anything! I'm using the BD short 1/4" 31g; I was going to try the Monojects but I'm told they are very hard to find in Canada. So for now, I'll stay with the BD but I'll get the 5/16" ones; I'll keep looking until I find better. If you find a solution to our problem, let me know !!!

The scruff is really the only place he will let me inject now. If I try for anything on the sides, my hands are immediately enveloped by claws and teeth . I'll let you know how the monojects work for me.

 

[Julie and Honey]

I was thinking for Hogan and Ti-Mousse and other larger cats, I know some cats are just normally bigger than others, but if they are heavier for their frame than they should be, as we know a lot of diabetic kitties are “fluffy”, if they can lose a little weight, that may loosen up the skin so you have more to grab and it won’t hurt them. My kitty is too skinny and her skin is a little saggy now, so I can grab a couple inches on her sides and she does not even notice. When she was 2.5 lbs heavier, there was less skin to grab because there was more fat under the skin. Now I am trying to get a little weight on her!

 

[Hogan]

I was thinking for Hogan and Ti-Mousse and other larger cats, I know some cats are just normally bigger than others, but if they are heavier for their frame than they should be, as we know a lot of diabetic kitties are “fluffy”, if they can lose a little weight, that may loosen up the skin so you have more to grab and it won’t hurt them. My kitty is too skinny and her skin is a little saggy now, so I can grab a couple inches on her sides and she does not even notice. When she was 2.5 lbs heavier, there was less skin to grab because there was more fat under the skin. Now I am trying to get a little weight on her!

Hogan lost about 4 pounds in a short amount of time (1 - 2 months). It did result in loose skin, however all that loose skin is hanging from his belly! When he runs now, you can see it swinging from side to side. My husband was joking he needs a tummy tuck.

 

[Ti-Mousse (GA) Pepe (GA)]

I was thinking for Hogan and Ti-Mousse and other larger cats, I know some cats are just normally bigger than others, but if they are heavier for their frame than they should be, as we know a lot of diabetic kitties are “fluffy”, if they can lose a little weight, that may loosen up the skin so you have more to grab and it won’t hurt them. My kitty is too skinny and her skin is a little saggy now, so I can grab a couple inches on her sides and she does not even notice. When she was 2.5 lbs heavier, there was less skin to grab because there was more fat under the skin. Now I am trying to get a little weight on her!

That could be good, but my Ti-Mousse was 22 pounds and he went down to 12.5 pounds and the skin still stayed tied up to the body... he had a little loose under the belly but never enough to make a tent! You really have to struggle to find a proper spot!

 

[Ti-Mousse (GA) Pepe (GA)]

Hogan lost about 4 pounds in a short amount of time (1 - 2 months). It did result in loose skin, however all that loose skin is hanging from his belly! When he runs now, you can see it swinging from side to side. My husband was joking he needs a tummy tuck.

The only problem is that they usually don't like needles in their little belly !!

 

[Hogan]

The only problem is that they usually don't like needles in their little belly !!

I would definitely lose at least a finger if I tried to inject him in the belly

 

[Ti-Mousse (GA) Pepe (GA)]

I would definitely lose at least a finger if I tried to inject him in the belly

That's why I said that, I experienced it ...... you try it once ONLY !!!

 

[Julie and Honey]

Hogan lost about 4 pounds in a short amount of time (1 - 2 months). It did result in loose skin, however all that loose skin is hanging from his belly! When he runs now, you can see it swinging from side to side. My husband was joking he needs a tummy tuck.

Too funny, lol.

 

[Julie and Honey]

That could be good, but my Ti-Mousse was 22 pounds and he went down to 12.5 pounds and the skin still stayed tied up to the body... he had a little loose under the belly but never enough to make a tent! You really have to struggle to find a proper spot!

Wow, that is a substantial weight loss! He must just be well toned, no jiggle on that cat. Be careful, he may be working on a six pack, lol.