If I were to keep using the Lantus pen and not syringes - the vet gave me a cartridge and said the pen is reusable. Would anyone know if it is actually better to get a new pen each time. I know these questions seem so silly, almost stupid, but I am nervous and full of questions and want to get it right. Thank you.
Lantus cartridges
- Thread starter Puffin
- Start date
Lara & Luciole (Lu)
Member since 2013
Puffin, with cats we dose in quarter units, so you definitely need insulin syringes with half-unit markings on them. They're normal, commonly-used syringes, "U100 3/10 cc syringes with half unit markings", just as squeem3 said.
Cats, being much smaller than humans, need smaller increments of insulin. So when we tailor the amount of insulin according to what their bodies need, we go by the quarter unit.
Pens can dispense only by 1 unit increments. In treating feline diabetes, you're going to need insulin syringes, specifically the U100 3/10 cc syringes, which are made for Lantus.
Cats, being much smaller than humans, need smaller increments of insulin. So when we tailor the amount of insulin according to what their bodies need, we go by the quarter unit.
Pens can dispense only by 1 unit increments. In treating feline diabetes, you're going to need insulin syringes, specifically the U100 3/10 cc syringes, which are made for Lantus.
squeem3
Member since 2009
I think only Canada sells the Lantus cartridges? Are you located in Canda or the US? @Wendy&Neko
Either way, a pharmacy can sell you a box of five pens or cartidges. Each pen or cartridge is good to the last drop so the box will last you at least a year. If you need a prescription to buy Lantus, it has to specify the box of pens or cartridges if that's what you want.
As said in your post on Lantus, the pen or cartridge only doses in whole units. Cats sometimes need half or quarter unit doses and that's just not possible to do if you use a pen or cartidge the way a Human diabetic would.
Either way, a pharmacy can sell you a box of five pens or cartidges. Each pen or cartridge is good to the last drop so the box will last you at least a year. If you need a prescription to buy Lantus, it has to specify the box of pens or cartridges if that's what you want.
As said in your post on Lantus, the pen or cartridge only doses in whole units. Cats sometimes need half or quarter unit doses and that's just not possible to do if you use a pen or cartidge the way a Human diabetic would.
squeem3
Member since 2009
There might be a info thread with Canada-specific info. @Wendy&Neko would know or at least give you info on buying Lantus in Canada. I believe Wendy is on the western side of Canada, Vancouver area I think. I know there are members in the Toronto area. @Karolina & Nestle
Lara & Luciole (Lu)
Member since 2013
I'm in Canada.
I get my syringes at Shoppers Drug Mart, and I buy my insulin through my vet, but they'd also give me a prescription that any drug store will fill.
I get my syringes at Shoppers Drug Mart, and I buy my insulin through my vet, but they'd also give me a prescription that any drug store will fill.
Lara & Luciole (Lu)
Member since 2013
These are the syringes you can get at Shopper's, which many of us use. Purple box, with half-unit markings. You used to be able to order them online for delivery, which no longer is available. But just find a Shopper's in your area that has them in stock. You can buy them over the counter with no prescription. This is the cheapest price I've found anywhere.
Lara & Luciole (Lu)
Member since 2013
You'll now find the same syringes with different packaging, as the company BD merged with Embecta
Karolina & Nestle
Member since 2022
I'm curious to know how much you pay for these? I'm in Ontario and the cheapest syringes I found I buy online at petsdrugmart.ca
Here's the link to the syringes I get (please note they have both U-40 and U-100).
Pet Meds & Supplements | Pharmacy | Pets Drug Mart
Lara & Luciole (Lu)
Member since 2013
I've bought those syringes from petsdrugmart, but I prefer the BDs, now Embecta. They're about 47ish a box.
Just my personal preference about syringes. This is the cheapest price I've found for BDs.
I've found even cheaper syringes on Amazon, but won't go there
Just my personal preference about syringes. This is the cheapest price I've found for BDs.
I've found even cheaper syringes on Amazon, but won't go there
Do shop around for syringes, and other insulin supplies. In my part of Canada, Safeway Pharmacy was the cheapest cost, back in my day. Canadian Superstore also decent pricing, and London Drugs. Shoppers was the most expensive.
What you don't want is the pen needles. You can use cartridges or pens, but you use both as mini vials where you take out the insulin with syringes for smaller dose changes. As in this picture: