Help needed with dosing and syringes

[judy and squamee(GA)]

I am starting Squamee on insulin. Vet is giving me ProZinc. Her numbers have been in the 270's. He said to start with 1 unit. He is only interested in the +6 BG. I need a refresher course! I know I must test before every shot, (and +6 whenever I can) but how do I decide what to shoot? I know not to shoot if the pre shot number is lower than 150.

To recap--she probably has a brain tumor, had a seizure, so I am particularly concerned about low blood sugar.

I have U40 syringes 29G1/2ml and also short 1/2 unit markings 31G 3/10ml. I am confused about the different syringes and which I need a conversion chart for---is it the short ones?
Thanks for your help!

 

[Phoebe_TiggyGA_NortonGA]

Double check your ProZinc insulin. If the box/vial says U40, then NO conversion chart is needed.

1u is a reasonable starting dose.

If it turns out that Squamee only needs a tiny amount of insulin, you can buy human syringes that are for U100 strength. Since the human insulins are more concentrated - the syringes are smaller and also less expensive because they make so many millions of syringes.

1 unit of U100 insulin = 0.01 milliliter (0.01 cc)
1 unit of U40 insulin = 0.025 milliliter (0.025 cc) -- more liquid for the same amount of insulin

So... by using U100 syringes with U40 insulin, you can measure tinier doses (1 unit on U100 syringe holds 0.4 unit of U40 insulin).

 

[judy and squamee(GA)]

truely I feel like a moron about this, but how do I tell if the syringe if U40 or U100?
One box I have, says u40 (that is the 29G1/2ml) but the other box doesn't indicate the unit ---and is the short needles, 3/10ml, 31G.

 

[Phoebe_TiggyGA_NortonGA]

Ok -- the 29ga are U40 and the others are U100 human syringes -- the "pet" syringes (U40) are not made with the lovely tiny 31gauge needles.

The 31 ga will hurt less.

So.... when using the 29ga U40 syringes - NO conversion is needed.

When using the 31ga syringes, you will need to multiply your dose by 2.5 (or use the conversion chart).
U40 ==== U100 syringe
0.2u dose = 0.5u mark
0.4u dose = 1.0u mark
0.6u dose = 1.5u mark
0.8u dose = 2.0u marks
1u dose - 2.5u marks on syringe

Assuming of course that the syringes have half units marked. If not, you could eye-ball the halfway point between the lines if needed.

The 31ga syringes probably have bigger lines every 5 units and smaller lines for 1 units. Half unit syringes have tinier lines for the half units.

Somebody has some pictures of syringes, but I don't have the links and I'm at work right now... can't take the time to find them.

 

[squeem3]

ProZinc is a U40 insulin. Most people use U40 insulin syringes (pet insulin syringes). Your 29 gauge 50 unit insulin syringes are U40.

The other ones you have, the 31 gauge 30 unit ones, are U100 (human insulin syringes). Only U100 insulin syringes are available in 30 units as well as 50 units and 100 units.

You can use either U40 or U100 insulin syringes with ProZinc. Some people prefer using U100 insulin syringes because they can more accurately dose teeny amounts of insulin which some cats do need.

Here is the conversion chart if you will use U100 insulin syringes with ProZinc: http://felinediabetes.com/insulin-conversions.htm

 

[Hillary & Maui (GA)]

If and when you can I suggest getting a +3 test in. When I took care of alesia's blue this summer he had a short nadir and by +2 and +3 he dropped fast. So just to be safe get in some +2 or +3 tests to see.

I fouind using the u100 syringes were much easier than the u 40s. And yes I followed the conversion outlined above. And times the dose by 2.5

 

[judy and squamee(GA)]

You guys are invaluable! Thanks so much for all the information. I will be starting her on ProZinc tomorrow morning (decided to start when I am around and awake!-just in case). I will use the u100 syringes because they are thinner, and since the vet said to give 1 unit, using the conversion, that is 2.5 on the syringe (so I go up to the 2 and then the 1/2 marker). Don't know why I am so nervous---I keep reminding myself the last time around it was the testing, not the injections that were difficult. (but I am needle phobic, so I guess that makes it harder.) Thanks again!

 

[Phoebe_TiggyGA_NortonGA]

Take a deep breath, and repeat -- "I AM the mommy cat!"