(UK) U100 syringes with quarter unit markings

[Tom & Monty]

Does anyone have a preferred brand / retailer for U100 syringes with quarter unit markings?

 

[Ale & Bobo & Minnie (GA)]

I don’t believe 1/4 units marked syringes exist. The best you can get is 1/2 units

 

[Tom & Monty]

I see, is calipers the only way to microdose a 0.25 token dose in that case?

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

I see, is calipers the only way to microdose a 0.25 token dose in that case?

Most of us just eyeball it. The important thing is to keep it as consistent as possible. Of course calipers will help if you want to try to use them.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

If you are using the BD Microfine syringes, there is a paper ruler that can be printed out and used for smaller doses. To find it. Look at the Dosing Methods Sticky Note in the Lantus forum, and look for the attached document called “Management of Diabetic Cats...”. The section on fine dosing has the link to the ruler and description how to use it.

 

[Tom & Monty]

Thanks, I'll get those syringes and use the paper rule. I don't have that brand at the moment, I'm working through the 30 U100 syringes my vet gave me with the lantus, but most days I'm using my old stock of U40 while the doses translate nicely.

 

[Elizabeth and Bertie]

Does anyone have a preferred brand / retailer for U100 syringes with quarter unit markings?

Hi, (waving from Surrey!)
As has been said there are no syringes with 0.25 unit markings. But this is a pretty easy dose to 'eyeball' since it falls half way between two lines (ditto to 0.75, etc). But it is possible, with just a little practice, to measure very much more subtle and smaller doses. ...Both of my diabetics have spent quite some time on doses of around 0.1 of a unit, for example.

Most of us in the UK use the BD U100 '+demi' half unit syringes. However, do be aware that these don't always have really accurately placed markings on the syringe barrel. The point at which the markings actually start on the barrel can vary a little bit, and sometimes the lines aren't completely straight (if you get a few out of the pack and compare you may be able to see a difference). That's not a problem at all for humans who need larger doses. But for kitties on very small doses it can make a considerable difference.
Some people use calipers for keeping the doses consistent. I just have a designated syringe that I keep as a template to compare with other syringes. I've painted the end of it bright green so that I don't lose it, haha! I draw the plunger in my template syringe to the dose that I want. Then I draw insulin into a new syringe, and compare it with the template syringe, making any little adjustments as necessary.

Eliz

 

[Oliver the Roman]

Another thing to remember when you try to pinpoint the measurements of 0.25 or less and be exactly exact (terminology...?) be sure to be extremely careful when you release your finger. Slightest tick of your finger tip can change the dose at the last moment (after you think you got the right amount).

 

[Deb & Wink]

U40 syringes have a fatter barrel. So using a U40 syringe with a U100 concentration insulin can end up overdosing your cat.

 

[Tom & Monty]

How would the barrel width impact the dose if I'm using the syringe markings as a guide and converting 1.25 U100 to 0.5 U40?

Sure it's possible any human error or inaccuracy in markings is exaggerated on a smaller scale, but then it's just as likely to be an underdose and besides my BG PS numbers don't seem impacted by the syringe I use.

 

[Elizabeth and Bertie]

I'm working through the 30 U100 syringes my vet gave me with the lantus, but most days I'm using my old stock of U40 while the doses translate nicely.

In theory, you can use the conversion chart either way, to use U40 insulin in U100 syringes, or U100 insulin in U40 syringes. However in practice using U100 insulin in U40 syringes has been found to be potentially dangerous because of the possibility that the caregiver gets it wrong; there is the potential for overdosing in that case. For example, if someone whose kitty is on a 2 unit dose isn't 'on the ball' one day and accidentally draws 2 units of U100 insulin (to the 2 unit mark) in a U40 syringe, they'd be giving their kitty 5 units of insulin (2.5 times the dose).... This kind of mistake has happened...