5/16 Needle Question

[Julie and Eleanor (GA)]

I'm still trying to get the money together to get the insulin, but I was looking at an insulin syringe with a 5/16 needle today, which is what the vet prescribed. How will I know this is not going into the fat layer? Eleanor is rather fat. I'm really concerned about this. IS this the best length needle to use?

 

[squeem3]

I'm still trying to get the money together to get the insulin, but I was looking at an insulin syringe with a 5/16 needle today, which is what the vet prescribed. How will I know this is not going into the fat layer? Eleanor is rather fat. I'm really concerned about this. IS this the best length needle to use?

You're not injecting into the fat. You are injecting into the subcutaneous area just under the skin. With a 5/16 inch needle you can fully insert the entire needle through the tented (pulled up) skin. Some people inject along the flank instead of the neck which can be a bit fatty.

There are insulin syringes with 1/2 inch long needles that you can use if you feel that your cat may be too fat for a shorter needle. Some people like the 1/2 inch long needles for cats with long fur or have better insulin absorption that way.

What insulin did the vet prescribe?

 

[MelanieAndRacci]

Usually the 5/16 needle is less painful for the cat but even more important is the gauge of the needle. You should get a 31 gauge, 5/16 syringe. I hope that's what he prescribed. If not, I would ask him for it. The finer the needle, the less painful.

Racci is fat also and I use those with half markings.

Melanie