Old syringes?

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Katie and Fuzzy

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My vet gave me a box of BD ultra-fine syringes that they had laying around since they didn't use them anymore. I looked at the box and saw it was from 2002 which concerned me a bit since they're so old. They look a little different from the new ones today, but they're the same size. I think the only real difference is the cap. Anyway, I read online that these syringes don't have an expiration date, and I can't find one on the packages, but these are 9 years old so I just want to make sure they can still be used. I have actually used them on Fuzzy already, and he didn't flinch when I injected him, so they haven't become dull or anything. They're not as shiny as the needles on the new ones, but they're not rusty either. They are all in their original unopened packages, so I would think they would be sterile. Is it ok to continue using them?
 
I would think they are OK, but y'know what I would do? Call the BD people. There's probably a customer service number on the box. They would be the best qualified to give you an answer.

If you do that, let us know what they say. This could come up again.
 
They are probably fine -- a phone call to BD will set your mind at ease.

Speaking as a product design engineer ---

It is possible some rubber or plastic bits have dried out, IF a material that ages was used (maybe the tip of the plunger inside)

It is possible the lubricant has dried out or become gummy / thicker (the plunger has some lubricant to help it slide)

It is possible that the sterile outside wrapper has aged / broken down (does it fall open easily or does it seem "normal"?)
(I found some old-old bandaids once -- the sterile paper wrapper was no longer sealed around the edges, so the bandaid was not sterile.)

If you cannot see any little cracks in the syringe parts and it seems to work ok --- should be fine to use.
 
Thanks for the replies. I'll see if I can call the company. My vet has also confirmed it ok as long as the packages weren't opened.

They seem to be fine. No cracks that I can see, and the plunger slides easily. They seem normal in every way, except I threw out 2 of them because the little black piece that marks the dose was crooked, but then again it has been crooked in the new syringes before too. Usually I still try to use them, but since these were free, I don't bother with them.
 
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