Syringes smaller than 3/10s?

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Cindy&Buster

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Newly diagnosed and have been on 1 unit of ProZinc twice a day since Jan. 1. Recent fructosamine test indicates a lower dose is needed, so vet suggests half unit twice a day. We're using the U-40 3/10 syringes, which don't have a marking for half units so we're just eyeballing it. Vet is looking for smaller syringes but I thought I'd ask the experts here. :D

--Cindy
 
You might make a reference gauge for the U-40 syringes

Using a conversion chart, it is possible to use U-100 syringes with a U-40 insulin.

The math is this:
U-100 insulin has 100 units per milliliter (mL)
U-40 insulin has 40 units per mL, ie is 40% as strong

Therefore, if you multiply the U-100 syringe mark by 0.4, you get the U-100 dose.

Conversion Chart
U-100 mark of 2.5 * 0.4 = 1.0 units of U-40
U-100 mark of 2.0 * 0.4 = 0.8 units of U-40
U-100 mark of 1.5 * 0.4 = 0.6 units of U-40
U-100 mark of 1.0 * 0.4 = 0.4 units of U-40
U-100 mark of 0.5 * 0.4 = 0.2 units of U-40
 
Many thanks! After I posted, I started wondering about the U-100 syringes because I'd seen the conversion charts mentioned. Wasn't sure if the 100s were smaller or larger than the 40s. Thanks again!

--Cindy
 
http://felinediabetes.com/insulin-conversions-printer.htm

That is the link to the conversion chart. We shot with U100 needles when on U40 PZI and used this chart. I printed it out and looked at it every time we measured insulin. If you are careful, it works great.
My vet was annoyed when he found out we were doing this, just so you know you might not want to advertise it ;-)
 
The u100s aren't smaller, but they are easier to use with the conversion chart, and you can get them with half-unit marks. It makes smaller doses easier to "see".
 
We used them as well for a while. My vet kept asking me to "show me where you fill when you're giving X# of units". :lol: Apparently, she had some clients that were afraid to shoot their cats in the first place, so was assuming I wasn't capable of doing a conversion!

But, just like Donna, I had the sheet printed out and in my bin with all G's supplies, needles, etc. And when you use the one kind of needle, put the others away! You don't need to risk getting confused and suddenly you shot 2.5 times as much (been there - done that!).... I was very fortunate that G was insulin-resistant! But let me tell you, I saw movement like I'd never seen before!!! Scared the bejeebers outa me! :shock:
 
Vet just called me with suggestion of the Relion 3/10 syringes at Walmart and I asked her to double check if they were for U-40 or U-100. Lucky I did, because she *thought* they were for U-40, but of course they're for U-100 and require conversion. During our conversation, I mentioned that I had found this info online at a feline diabetes support group and she didn't seem too freaked out by it. <grin> She's young, though, so I'm guessing she's more open to these things. (Especially since I ended up knowing more about the different syringes available at Walmart than she did!) (I just couldn't imagine that Walmart would have U-40 syringes at all.)

So thanks for the input! I've learned so much from this website.

--Cindy
 
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