IS THERE SUCH A THING AS AN AUTOMATIC INSULIN NEEDLE PEN?

Status
Not open for further replies.
KUMA CAT

KUMA CAT

Member Since 2015
My beautiful 11 year old male cat, Kuma, was just diagnosed with diabetes two days ago. His blood sugar was 412. He had had two recent bouts of pancreatitis in the last few months which is something he'd never had before. I am not sure if his pancreatitis attacks were from his high blood sugar, or if the pancreatitis attacks brought on the diabetes. Does anyone know? Also, I am not a good needle person. I have given him his shots the last two days as I hold his neck scruff, but some days it feels like the needle just doesn't want to go in, and I keep poking, and he starts to get upset and yowl and even tried to nip at me. I get so nervous. It's my fault, I am sure, as I just don't have the technique down. I am using needles called "Monoject 29G x 1/2". For people that have trouble with giving shots, is there such a thing as an automatic insulin needle pen of some sort, where the needle pops out and administers the insulin when you hold the pen next to the skin (kind of like a little blood tester unit for humans), so you don't actually have to jab a needle in yourself?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
No, there's no such thing...the closest is the needles used in the pens on humans, but that requires using the "dial a dose" on the pen and it's only accurate in whole units and our cats need adjustments in .25 unit increments so we don't use the special needles that go with the pens (and it still doesn't do what you're wanting it to do...you still have to actually stick the needle in yourself)

You could try getting some different syringes...31 gauge have very tiny needles that most cats can't even feel

Have you tried looking at some of the video's on YouTube on how to give insulin to cats? There are lots of them..maybe you can find something helpful in them to improve your technique.

Just FYI...we use the 911 prefix for when our cats are in a life threatening situation, like having really low blood sugar. You can "edit" your subject line and remove the 911 and use the ? instead...that way people will see you have a question, but that it's not an emergency situation
 
I suggest taking your used syringe.... or a new one and practice technique on an orange... or a piece of raw chicken...
something where you can get a better feel...

there's lots of information here
notice the part about the bevel.... that can hurt if you have the needle upside down.....
my girl is extra sensitive to all of it... and lantus actually stings a little, besides being cold....
 
Use a syringe with a finer needle. And always use a new syringe for each shot. Some vets say you can reuse them, but the needle gets dull fast. The needle has a bevel to it. The bevel should be up when you give the shot.

Practicing with water in a used syringe on something as rhiannon and shadow suggested should help you get used to doing it. And remember Kuma will pick up on your stress. Try to stay calm and Kuma will be calmer. We all started being afraid of sticking a needle into our cats, but eventually the process is fast and easy. You and Kuma will get used to it, I promise.
 
You can have the vet shave a couple little spots to give shots so that you can see the needle is in until you get used to it. You will get used to it I promise. I was horribly needle phobic before Smokey became diabetic - passed out at the sight of them. Once you are used to it you become quicker and the quicker you are, the less they notice it.
 
KUMA CAT said:
"Monoject 29G x 1/2".
Click to expand...
Chris & China said:
No, there's no such thing...the closest is the needles used in the pens on humans, but that requires using the "dial a dose" on the pen and it's only accurate in whole units and our cats need adjustments in .25 unit increments so we don't use the special needles that go with the pens (and it still doesn't do what you're wanting it to do...you still have to actually stick the needle in yourself)

You could try getting some different syringes...31 gauge have very tiny needles that most cats can't even feel

Have you tried looking at some of the video's on YouTube on how to give insulin to cats? There are lots of them..maybe you can find something helpful in them to improve your technique.

Just FYI...we use the 911 prefix for when our cats are in a life threatening situation, like having really low blood sugar. You can "edit" your subject line and remove the 911 and use the ? instead...that way people will see you have a question, but that it's not an emergency situation
Click to expand...
 
I think I would have such an easier time if I could use a smaller needle. My beautiful cat, Kuma, that was just diagnosed with diabetes (blood sugar was 412 when tested ) needs shots twice a day. I am wringing wet with nerves every time I have to get this syringe out, as I am terrible when it comes to needles. I poke, and it doesn't always go in, he yowls, and sometimes tries to turn and bite me. I am desperate to figure something out to make this easier for him (and me). I am using the following syringe/needle: "Monoject 29G x 1/2". This syringe must be used with the insulin the vet gave me, called "ProZinc". I asked him if I could use a smaller needle, but he said this insulin company does not make a syringe with a smaller needle that can be used with ProZinc. Do I need to order a new type of insulin that does make a syringe with a smaller needle? Can someone help me?
 
I think you can. Wait for someone who knows prozinc to tell you....
but there is a prozinc forum and I just went to get this from it... (click on the blue prozinc for the link.....)
.
Using U100 Syringes and doing the conversion

Using U100 Syringes and doing the conversion:

The below are ONLY for if you are currently using U-100 syringes or if you intend to use U-100 syringes with a U-40 strength insulin. U-100 syringes are not required for the use of PZI. However, if you feel up to getting the conversion correct 100% of the time, the use of U-100 syringes with U-40 insulin can allow for smaller, more consistent dosing gradients. If you are unsure which syringes you are currently using, U-100 syringes have an ORANGE cap - U-40 syringes have a RED cap. Make sure you know which type of syringe and what strength insulin you are using before you start dosing. Without the proper conversion, use of the wrong syringe with the wrong strength insulin can potentially result in putting your kitty into hypoglycemia or potentially even death. You have been warned: that said, many use U-100 syringes with U-40 PZI insulin successfully.

Click to expand...
I want someone else who knows the insulin to give you more info....
getting the conversion right is very important....
but you do have options.
We've all been thru the stress you are feeling....:bighug:

It seems to be pretty quiet tonight on site.
There are usually at least 10 or more online but I guess with the holiday weekend.... or friday night... they aren't here.
 
Yes, you can use a U-100 syringe with a U-40 insulin. The U number refers to how many units of insulin are in 1 milliliter (mL).
You can see that a U-40 is 40% or 0.4 of the concentration of U-100. This means the markings on a U-100 syringe need to be adjusted by 0.4 when using a U-40 insulin.
U-100
tick mark * 0.4 = U-40 dose
0.5 * 0.4 = 0.2 units of U-40
1.0 * 0.4 = 0.4 units of U-40
1.5 * 0.4 = 0.6 units of U-40
etc.
What is your current dose?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top