Open space at the top of the syringes?

[Shell]

I've noticed that over the top of the first marker on our syringe that there is a very small space. They all seem to be that way. It's definitely part of the tube. It does fill with medicine. Is that normal? Wouldn't this make the actual dose a little higher than originally thought though?

I took the best picture I could take that close up.


https://ibb.co/hySjCLH

@Christie & Maverick @CORKY @kitten68

 

[kitten68]

yup.. i noticed that too.. sometimes a space, other times no. perhaps a manufacturer variance.. im guessing (hoping) its taken into account w dosing.. also i dont think the whole dose gets in.. some is still left in the barrel at times and the needle.. not supposed to maybe. but what i seen. ….. pull back the plunger to check yours.. see if any left. i do my hardest to make sure it all gets in.. some just gets sucked back or just doesnt go all the way in sometimes.. but i find its negligible.

(was actually thinking prior to withdrawing to keep finger on plunger so it doesnt get sucked back up.. but not sure if necessary/maters ..)

 

[Shell]

yup.. i noticed that too.. sometimes a space, other times no. perhaps a manufacturer variance.. im guessing (hoping) its taken into account w dosing.. also i dont think the whole dose gets in.. some is still left in the barrel at times and the needle.. not supposed to maybe. but what i seen. ….. pull back the plunger to check yours.. see if any left. i do my hardest to make sure it all gets in.. some just gets sucked back or just doesnt go all the way in sometimes.. but i find its negligible.

(was actually thinking prior to withdrawing to keep finger on plunger so it doesnt get sucked back up.. but not sure if necessary/maters ..)

My barel is always empty after dosing. It looks to be about a .25 space. I am going to have to look at every single syringe very closely to try to be sure he isn't getting more or less than he is supposed to. Thank you.

 

[CORKY]

I've noticed that over the top of the first marker on our syringe that there is a very small space. They all seem to be that way. It's definitely part of the tube. It does fill with medicine. Is that normal? Wouldn't this make the actual dose a little higher than originally thought though?

I took the best picture I could take that close up.

yes that's as far as it goes , also make sure when measuring the dose that the very top of the little black cork thingy is right at the marking of the dose, not more not less


https://ibb.co/hySjCLH

@Christie & Maverick @CORKY @kitten68

 

[kitten68]

My barel is always empty after dosing. It looks to be about a .25 space. I am going to have to look at every single syringe very closely to try to be sure he isn't getting more or less than he is supposed to. Thank you.

yup! lol ill pull back the plunger sometimes a drop gets left behind… im like !!!!

shrug. (which brand syringe u use?..)

and !!! that much space is left?? or just showing the space above the line?…

 

[kitten68]

its probably also cuz the plunger just stops there.. cant go through the top right haha.. so some can also get left behind i guess.

 

[CORKY]

its probably also cuz the plunger just stops there.. cant go through the top right haha.. so some can also get left behind i guess.

Actually nothing should stay behind
Most of us use th CAREPOINT U40 insulin syringe 3/10cc 29G X 1/2 “ Half Unit Markings, easier to use when you dose 1/2’s

 

[kitten68]

Actually nothing should stay behind
Most of us use th CAREPOINT U40 insulin syringe 3/10cc 29G X 1/2 “ Half Unit Markings, easier to use when you dose 1/2’s

i figured this.. what to do? using the cheaper ReliOn….. has 1/2 marking.. perhaps its my plunging.

perhaps need to keep finger on plunger then withdraw.. also i do it rather quickly cuz he hates it (reasonably so..) maybe why. a lot of time tho i get most if not all in..

 

[kitten68]

Actually nothing should stay behind
Most of us use th CAREPOINT U40 insulin syringe 3/10cc 29G X 1/2 “ Half Unit Markings, easier to use when you dose 1/2’s

and using u100 perhaps will consider changing..

 

[Christie & Maverick]

Actually nothing should stay behind
Most of us use th CAREPOINT U40 insulin syringe 3/10cc 29G X 1/2 “ Half Unit Markings, easier to use when you dose 1/2’s

True with caregivers who give their cats Prozinc. Not correct for use with Lantus.

and using u100 perhaps will consider changing..

Please use the insulin syringes that are meant for the insulin. For those caregivers who are giving Lantus, that means using U-100 syringes. Corky is on Prozinc, so Maria uses U-40 syringes which are the correct insulin syringes for use with that insulin.

 

[JL and Chip]

Actually nothing should stay behind
Most of us use th CAREPOINT U40 insulin syringe 3/10cc 29G X 1/2 “ Half Unit Markings, easier to use when you dose 1/2’s

Important clarification — the u-40 insulin syringes Maria (@CORKY ) referenced are NOT appropriate to use with a u-100 insulin such as Lantus. If you use a u-40 syringe with a u-100 insulin, you will overdose your cat.

Maria uses Prozinc, which is a u-40 insulin.

I used the Relion syringes. Some folks use digital calipers to be more consistent on the doses; sometimes there are discrepancies in the barrel markings. I think that’s most prevalent with small doses, maybe.

(I see Christie posted while I was typing. )

 

[kitten68]

oh no plz right! thats what i meant.. using u100.. if changed would need u100s lol.. of that brand i guess. but using syringes within budget rn so wont be changing anytime soon haha.. and theyre not too bad.. we do our best to get each drop.

 

[SmallestSparrow]

That space seems to be where the bubble I can never get out takes up residence so I tend to worry about light shots instead of heavy. I’ve drawn up millions (at least) of human shots in my life, and three decades ago treated a diabetic cat for three years and I’ve never struggled so much with bubbles…

 

[kitten68]

Important clarification — the u-40 insulin syringes Maria (@CORKY ) referenced are NOT appropriate to use with a u-100 insulin such as Lantus. If you use a u-40 syringe with a u-100 insulin, you will overdose your cat.

Maria uses Prozinc, which is a u-40 insulin.

I used the Relion syringes. Some folks use digital calipers to be more consistent on the doses; sometimes there are discrepancies in the barrel markings. I think that’s most prevalent with small doses, maybe.

(I see Christie posted while I was typing. )

yes!! i just posted my thread w that concern.. finding dosing varies across the barrels.. quite irritating. :/ was asking how to use calipers if i decided to.. using ReliOn too! there sure are.. sure are. in having to compare lines everyday…

 

[kitten68]

but that little space on top.. probably unavoidable cuz it curves up on the sides right and plunger straight so there will be some space.. @Shell

 

[Shell]

The very top of the plunger is above the marker. Not the entire thing, but some of it.

This morning, I adjusted about so much from the normal dose. But, perhaps I should have left it the same. Because if there is a very small space, then .75 may actually = a little more in the case of my syringes. I should have left it the same. But, what if other syringes markings aren't the same and these are just marked slightly off?

 

[kitten68]

The very top of the plunger is above the marker. Not the entire thing, but some of it.

This morning, I adjusted about so much from the normal dose. But, perhaps I should have left it the same. Because if there is a very small space, then .75 may actually = a little more in the case of my syringes. I should have left it the same. But, what if other syringes markings aren't the same and these are just marked slightly off?

hmmmm…. im thinking this is then considered as left over, and is just the part of the syringe.. cause if the line is below it, theyre probably accounting for that little bit left behind.. or just stays.. why the line is a bit lower then on the barrel at the tippy top.. i guess (?)

 

[Shell]

That space seems to be where the bubble I can never get out takes up residence so I tend to worry about light shots instead of heavy. I’ve drawn up millions (at least) of human shots in my life, and three decades ago treated a diabetic cat for three years and I’ve never struggled so much with bubbles…

That was my thoughts. Since they are made for humans (I am guessing) that little bit may not make a difference. But, the kitty is much smaller

I may just be overthinking things. I can see how air can easily get into that little space. But, I've just become pretty good at getting most of the air out.

 

[kitten68]

That was my thoughts. Since they are made for humans (I am guessing) that little bit may not make a difference. But, the kitty is much smaller

I may just be overthinking things. I can see how air can easily get into that little space. But, I've just become pretty good at getting most of the air out.

same!!! not many bubbles here anymore either THO if there are.. and small.. i just leave em. haha.

 

[Shell]

True with caregivers who give their cats Prozinc. Not correct for use with Lantus.

Please use the insulin syringes that are meant for the insulin. For those caregivers who are giving Lantus, that means using U-100 syringes. Corky is on Prozinc, so Maria uses U-40 syringes which are the correct insulin syringes for use with that insulin.

Yes. These say - True Plus 29G .3cc insulin. I am confused. The Vet prescribed those. Are they the right ones?

They are the same ones I had last time also.

 

[Christie & Maverick]

Yes. These say - True Plus 29G .3cc insulin. I am confused. The Vet prescribed those. Are they the right ones?

They are the same ones I had last time also.

It’s ok Shell, you have the correct ones.

 

[SmallestSparrow]

If you think about it there’s going to be a tiny amount left in the needle also. I assume either the maker allows for that with their markings or the tiny bit left in syringe and needle is considered insignificant. And while insulin syringes are made for humans, most of whom use bigger doses, the syringes I buy now are sold as vet syringes and appear the same as I recall human syringes being with my last diabetic cat. I suspect the feeling is as long as you’re using similar syringes with similar technique then the dosage is adjusted on results, so tiny discrepancies in barrel markings won’t matter.
to me this is similar to when I prescribe synthroid to the species I treat. Ideally they’d wait 4 hours before consuming milk products in the am. I assume most don’t. As long as they’re fairly consistent in what they eat, then the dose we arrive at based on their blood tests is close enough.

 

[Shell]

So, this is not unusual. I should not have subtracted from this morning's dose what I thought may have been an overage. So, tonight back to the same regular dose.

Thank you everyone who took the time to give this information!

 

[Christie & Maverick]

Over the years we’ve had many members, myself included who find that their brand of insulin syringe seems to have occasional batches where they are off at the zero line marking, and to the point where they prefer to use calipers to measure more precisely, as JL mentioned above. Sadly, all brands can have issues with where the zero line markings are. I’d suggest you can also keep one where the zero line is flush with where the plunger rests at the top of the syringe which you can compare with, if you find another syringe where the zero line appears to be off. FWIW I’ve also had insulin syringe duds that have no lubricant in them.

 

[Shell]

Over the years we’ve had many members, myself included who find that their brand of insulin syringe seems to have occasional batches where they are off at the zero line marking, and to the point where they prefer to use calipers to measure more precisely, as JL mentioned above. Sadly, all brands can have issues with where the zero line markings are. I’d suggest you can also keep one where the zero line is flush with where the plunger rests at the top of the syringe which you can compare with, if you find another syringe where the zero line appears to be off. FWIW I’ve also had insulin syringe duds that have no lubricant in them.

Yes, his Vet mentioned calipers a while ago. I wonder if she is more familiar with this forum than I know.

If I find a syringe with the line flush to the top, I'll be keeping it to compare.