Using generic needles with VetPens?

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Ektorp

Member Since 2023
Hello everyone,

I'm new here. Have tried to see if I can find a thread about this, but not managed to. But apologies if it's already been answered before!

My 14-year-old cat has been diagnosed with diabetes this year, controlled with insulin. Our vet has had issues supplying us with insulin at various points, so we've had to swap between using a VetPen and normal syringes, sometimes at short notice, so making sure we have the right needles, etc. has been a pain. (The vet does not communicate very well, and has had issues with their supplier of needles, etc., so I've had to buy needles, etc. online. I've now ended up with VetPen vials from the vet again and a big stash of normal syringes, but am low on the VetPen needles.)

Does anyone know if I can order and use generic, same spec insulin pen needles to use with the VetPen? E.g. something like:
https://www.easymedshealth.com/prod...MIstLG-cyoggMV5IBQBh3bfQqSEAQYBSABEgLN9PD_BwEhttps://www.easymedshealth.com/prod...MIstLG-cyoggMV5IBQBh3bfQqSEAQYBSABEgLN9PD_BwE
I think they are the same size and spec, but they are less than half the price of the VetPen ones. Obviously, the VetPen people want you to buy theirs though... So I can't find any guidance about this. (I obviously wouldn't use animal stuff on people, but presumably human-grade stuff would be safe for animals?)

Many thanks,

Catherine (and Milo)
 
With the pens we recommend using syringes instead of the pen needle. You would withdraw the insulin just like you do with a vial. This allows more accurate dosing, especially when your dose is not a full unit. Also at nce pens have to prime the needle, you are also wasting insulin each time.
 
Diane Tyler's Mom said:
@Ektorp
Hi Catherine, Lisa is right, about using syringes
What insulin is Milo using
Do you live in the US
I might be able to tell you what syringes you will need
Click to expand...

Thanks for this. I already have some syringes in stock if I can use the with the pen vials. Thanks! :-) (I just don't have many pen needles.) I'm in the UK and we're using Caninsulin. I thought I was getting more standard vials when I ordered more insulin, but my vet gave me the pen vials instead, so I was a bit surprised! But they have had stock issues and are not brilliant at communicating, which makes life more complicated!
 
Larry and Kitties said:
Yes, the VetPn uses standard pen needles.
Also for Lisa, if Catherine has the 8IU VetPen that dose in ½ unit increments While the 16IU VetPen does in 1unit increments. VetPen uses cartridges for VetSulin/Caninsulin only. At small doses like used in cats, a pen is more accurate that syringes but is limited to ½ or 1-unit dosing for VetPens.

https://www.merck-animal-health-usa.com/vetsulin/dogs/vetpen-administration
Click to expand...

Thanks for this. He's on 3 units per dose. Is that a lot?
 
Lisa and Witn (GA) said:
With the pens we recommend using syringes instead of the pen needle. You would withdraw the insulin just like you do with a vial. This allows more accurate dosing, especially when your dose is not a full unit. Also at nce pens have to prime the needle, you are also wasting insulin each time.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply/advice! I appreciate it!
 
There's no way to answer your question about the size of the dose without being able to see a spreadsheet for your kitty. If you're home testing, you'll be able to determine if your cat is on an appropriate dose of Caninsulin or if the dose is too large or too small.
 
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