Confused about syringe markings

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Cherish4

Cherish4

Member Since 2019
Don't know if anyone will know the answer to this but I've been using 'Sol-Vet' U40 syringes with half unit markings for a while. However the vet gave me some extra syringes on our last visit, to use until Little B is due back and they're different. They're still U40 syringes with half unit markings but they're 'Boehringer Ingelheim' ones and their units seem to be slightly bigger than on the Sol-Vet ones. So now I'm confused. In the end I've used a Sol one this morning but I've only got a couple of them left. The Sol-Vet syringes hold up to 20 units & have a volume of 0.5ml and the other ones hold 12 units & have a volume of 0.3ml. I'm just worried about giving him more insulin than he needs if I use these other syringes. I am planning on phoning the vets about it shortly but I just wondered if other people have encountered this with syringes by different companies? Is this common and how do you know if you're giving them the correct units if they're all different?

Photo below (Sol on left, Boehringer on right):
IMG_20190425_103822.jpg
 
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So a unit is still a unit but the barrel size is different. In other words the barrel of the 12 units one is thinner. One holds 1/2 a cc (20 units) and one holds 1/3 cc (12 units). Either is fine too use. The one that holds 12 is a little easier to see tiny doses. Each unit is the same amount in both. It's like putting 8 ounces of water in a huge glass or Small mug. One looks more full than the other because they can hold different amounts, but it's the same amount of water.
 
Bron and Sheba said:
That is a very good question and well done seeing the difference. I don’t know the answer as I don’t use u40 syringes but if you could post a photo of both syringes someone is sure to know.
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I'll see if I can get a good photo of both, thanks for responding. :)
 
JanetNJ said:
So a unit is still a unit but the barrel size is different. In other words the barrel of the 12 units one is thinner. One holds 1/2 a cc (20 units) and one holds 1/3 cc (12 units). Either is fine too use. The one that holds 12 is a little easier to see tiny doses. Each unit is the same amount in both. It's like putting 8 ounces of water in a huge glass or Small mug. One looks more full than the other because they can hold different amounts, but it's the same amount of water.
Click to expand...

That makes complete sense and thank you for clarifying. However, when I look at the barrels they look the same to me, hence the confusion:

IMG_20190425_103822.jpg
 
Cherish4 said:
Don't know if anyone will know the answer to this but I've been using 'Sol-Vet' U40 syringes with half unit markings for a while. However the vet gave me some extra syringes on our last visit, to use until Little B is due back and they're different. They're still U40 syringes with half unit markings but they're 'Boehringer Ingelheim' ones and their units seem to be slightly bigger than on the Sol-Vet ones. So now I'm confused. In the end I've used a Sol one this morning but I've only got a couple of them left. The Sol-Vet syringes hold up to 20 units & have a volume of 0.5ml and the other ones hold 12 units & have a volume of 0.3ml. I'm just worried about giving him more insulin than he needs if I use these other syringes. I am planning on phoning the vets about it shortly but I just wondered if other people have encountered this with syringes by different companies? Is this common and how do you know if you're giving them the correct units if they're all different?
Click to expand...

Not sure if this is at all relevant to you or anyone following lol but recognize the name Boehringer Ingelheim as the company that makes Prozinc.
 
Cherish4 said:
That makes complete sense and thank you for clarifying. However, when I look at the barrels they look the same to me, hence the confusion:

View attachment 44540
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They are different thicknesses..... slightly though. The one on the left is thicker look at the empty space between the center white plunger and the edge of of the barrel. The one has more space than the other. If you want to test it, draw up 10 units of both and expel it out and you will see its the same. I have both. I always used the 1/3 ones until my cat started useing 11-12 units, now I use the 1/2 ones.... But I have both.
 
JanetNJ said:
They are different thicknesses..... slightly though. The one on the left is thicker look at the empty space between the center white plunger and the edge of of the barrel. The one has more space than the other. If you want to test it, draw up 10 units of both and expel it out and you will see its the same. I have both. I always used the 1/3 ones until my cat started useing 11-12 units, now I use the 1/2 ones.... But I have both.
Click to expand...

Had another look and tested it and you're right. I feel much more at ease with using them now, thank you so much for your help. :)
 
Cherish4 said:
Had another look and tested it and you're right. I feel much more at ease with using them now, thank you so much for your help. :)
Click to expand...
Cherish4, thank you for bringing this up, JanetNJ, thanks for the information, that gives me data for when I get low on the vet-supplied U-40 needles (unit markings only, 20 unit capacity), and I'll see if I can find the 12unit style with 1/2 unit markings to purchase ... senior eyes and senior shaky hands (nervous newbie with, of all things, a lifelong needle phobia) ...
 
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