Needles: Short vs. Long

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KPassa

KPassa

Member Since 2012
The first batch of insulin syringes I got were 29 gauge and 12.7mm long, but they didn't have half-unit markings. When I ran out of those and went to buy more, the only syringes with half-units they had at the time were 31 gauge and 8mm long needles. I thought, "shorter needle + smaller gauge = less painful!" Right?

Once I started using them, I noticed MIchelangelo was shying away every AMS/PMS. Eventually, in the last month or so, he began anticipating his shot to the point of denying himself food until I gave it to him. I think he knows instinctually that the shot makes him feel better, so he hasn't been an absolute miserable SOB when I give it to him, but he does make a small, pain-filled cry that breaks my heart every time I give him a shot and occasionally even reflexively snaps at me.

I had to stop by Walmart for more Prime strips and randomly decided to see if they had the longer, thicker needle in half-units (I've been running low from the previous batch of 300). They did so I bought 30 of them (the maximum allowed without a script in CA). First shot this morning with the longer needle: Michelangelo didn't even notice!

Has anyone else ever seen this in their own cats? Does anyone know why a longer, thicker needle would be less painful? The only thing I can think is that it's not as bendy-flexible as the 31 gauge (which I've bent quite a few of when he's moved).
 
Yes, the things ones should be less painful. The length should not matter. You can only get the thin 31 GA in short length otherwise they would tend to bend. I would just use what you/MIchelangelo are comfortable with.
 
I've always used the short 30 or 31 gauge ones except once and had the exact opposite reaction...Autumn really noticed the 29 gauge long needles but doesn't even look up at the short 31 gauge ones. But then again I've never bent one either.

But I would use what you are use to, it maybe another one of those ECID things.

Mel, Maxwell, Autumn & The Fur Gang
 
All right. Good to know that logically I was correct in thinking the shorter and thinner, the better. I was worried I might have missed something about shorter needles causing this problem and I've been needlessly hurting him these last couple of months because I ignorantly thought these should hurt less. Whew! I can lay the blame squarely on Mikey's unique and speshul snowflake cat personality!

Or maybe he really is a masochist....
 
After using these needles for the past few shots, I can definitely state that Mikey for some reason prefers the long ones with the thicker gauge. Maybe the short ones release too close to the surface for him? I wonder if this is possibly related to his suspected hyperesthesia? Then again, ECID and Mikey likes to be unique!
 
If the insulin is released intradermally - within, rather than under the skin - it could be causing irritation.

I did that once with an antibiotic and an entire circle of fur and skin wound up sloughing off.
 
I was told to try the longer needles because J.D. is a big boy, and have been using them for years now.
 
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