Syringes - pet vs. human

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Kiwi F

Kiwi F

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My local pharmacy doesn't have syringes smaller than 1/2cc. I want to order some smaller ones, but does anyone know what is the difference between human and pet insulin syringes? They both have U-100, 1/3cc, 31g, short needle. Do the pet ones measure smaller increments? Are there any other differences (in the U-100 ones)? Does any brand or type measure .25 units? Do all 1/3cc syringes measure .5 units? I found 'pet' types at American Diabetes Wholesale. Does anyone have suggestions? Are there any advantages with the pet ones?

Thanks,
Kim and Kiwi
 
Kiwi F said:
My local pharmacy doesn't have syringes smaller than 1/2cc. I want to order some smaller ones, but does anyone know what is the difference between human and pet insulin syringes? They both have U-100, 1/3cc, 31g, short needle. Do the pet ones measure smaller increments? Are there any other differences (in the U-100 ones)? Does any brand or type measure .25 units? Do all 1/3cc syringes measure .5 units? I found 'pet' types at American Diabetes Wholesale. Does anyone have suggestions? Are there any advantages with the pet ones?

Thanks,
Kim and Kiwi
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I don't know about what brands others get, but I always got the BD 1/3cc short needles and there was a picture on the side of the box that stated 1/2 units.
There are others that don't have the 1/2 units, so I just try some other pharmacies.
You can ask the pharmacist about the 1/2 unit ones.
There is no difference at all if the syringes are used for people or animals.
http://www.idealdiabeticsupplies.com/pr ... gauge.html
 
So the veterinary ones are exactly the same? It seems like there would be some difference... has anyone used them? We're using human ones now, and they work fine, other than not having small enough increments. Although, .25 lines would be very helpful. If any are shaped or angled differently, that would be good to know, too).
 
There aren't special pet U-100 syringes--you just order 1/3cc, 30-31g, 5/16" needle with half unit markings. It's very important to specify the half unit markings, because they make them both with and without. Many pharmacies may not have them in stock, but all should be able to order for you if you ask.
 
Actually there are special pet U-100 insulin syringes but the only difference is that the ones for pets are triple bevelled and the ones for humans are single bevelled. That's it otherwise they are exactly the same. I have tried both, and while I think the pet ones go in a little easier they are almost impossible to do a drop method of dosing because of that triple bevel it just doesn't form a drop well in the tip. They would be fine if you are shooting standard whole or half units but if you need to go smaller than that like Musette is on .4u you can't do it with the pet ones.

Of the 4 different brands that I have used I keep going back to Walmart's Relions so far they have been the most consistant for ease of plunger movement, don't seem to form lots of air bubbles and those that do form are easy to get rid of. BD are too pricey for my budget, monojects I found I trashed about 45 out of 100 due to rough needles, and the Ulticare pet ones didn't form a nice drop when trying to fine tune Musette's dose. The Relions are cheap and work well at least for us.

Mel, Maxwell, Musette & The Fur Gang
 
MommaOfMuse said:
Actually there are special pet U-100 insulin syringes but the only difference is that the ones for pets are triple bevelled and the ones for humans are single bevelled. That's it otherwise they are exactly the same. I have tried both, and while I think the pet ones go in a little easier they are almost impossible to do a drop method of dosing because of that triple bevel it just doesn't form a drop well in the tip. They would be fine if you are shooting standard whole or half units but if you need to go smaller than that like Musette is on .4u you can't do it with the pet ones.

Of the 4 different brands that I have used I keep going back to Walmart's Relions so far they have been the most consistant for ease of plunger movement, don't seem to form lots of air bubbles and those that do form are easy to get rid of. BD are too pricey for my budget, monojects I found I trashed about 45 out of 100 due to rough needles, and the Ulticare pet ones didn't form a nice drop when trying to fine tune Musette's dose. The Relions are cheap and work well at least for us.

Mel, Maxwell, Musette & The Fur Gang
Click to expand...


What is a 'drop method'? I don't remember reading about that.

Thank you so much for 'reviewing' the different brands available... I was quite overwhelmed by the options. Thanks for the warning about monojects. We're using .5u dose right now, but I think its possible that we might need end up at .25u, and I need syringes with the most visible increments available... at least 1/2. Do any come with 1/4? Are any easier to read when you're in between? My vision is an issue, so further recommendations (as to the ease of measurement) would be great. Thanks for your help.

Also, does anyone know where to get the smallest ReliOns if your Walmart store doesn't sell them? Their website doesn't sell syringes.
 
The smallest you are going to get is half unit marks but I so relate to the vision problems. I'm one of those people that needs their glasses to find their glasses :lol: I find it easier to see those little lines by taking my glasses off, who ever though being near-sighted would be a bonus. :-D You can also get a magnifier that fits on the syringe.

If your Walmart doesn't carry the 3/10 cc syringes they should be able to order them in for you, but they should have them behind the counter at the pharmacy since they are techincally a child's insulin syringe. If your Walmart is like mine they won't have a clue that they have the ones with half unit marks but if you ask for 3/10 cc 31 gaunge with the short needles they will have the half unit marks, even if they insist that they only have ones with full unit marks. (sigh)

If you scroll down on this post you will see the pictures of how the drop method works http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=34424#p360982, basically you practice with colored water and a used syringe until you can consistantly get 5 drops out of .5u so each drop ends up being a tenth of a unit. As for ease of measuring those inbetween doses. i.e. .25, .75 etc. If you are going to try to go to .25 from your current .5u instead of lining up the bottom of the plunger to the bottom of the .5 line, you line up the top of the plunger to the bottom of the .5 line that should give you pretty close to .25

Mel, Maxwell, Musette & The Fur Gang
 
Thanks for clarifying all of that. Right now, we're doing .5u in 1u syringes, and its not easy. I'm hoping to order more appropriate ones today. I wish taking my glasses off was all I have to do... I also have to close my bad eye, and squint my good eye, then check a couple angles to make sure my double vision didn't trick me. I remember back when I was merely nearsighted... those were the days. :lol:
 
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