? Vet says no to 5/16th needle length

[Daphne'sChallenge]

Per the suggestions here, I am trying to switch syringes to a U-100 with 1/2 markings, so I ordered from ADW for $11.95:

CarePoint Vet U-100 Syringes 31G 3/10cc 5/16" w/Half Unit Marks 100ct

This order required that my vet be contacted. She phoned me, concerned that the 5/16th needle length would not be long enough and would deliver the insulin to the cat's skin. Is this a legitimate concern? It seems that many of you are using syringes with this needle length.

When I contacted the company and tried to switch the order to a U-100 with half-markings and a needle length of 1/2 in. in a 31G, the customer service rep could not find a syringe to meet those requirements.

I am almost out of syringes and would appreciate your thoughts about needle length. Thank you all so much!

 

[squeem3]

For most cats, needle length doesn't matter. Cats with longer fur or weird skin (like mine) might need longer 1/2 inch needles. You wouldn't put the entire 1/2 inch needle into the skin unless you have a really good tent of skin. Way too easy to jab a long needle straight through the tent and into a finger.

Most half unit marked insulin syringes are only available in 5/16 inch length needles.

I did find half unit marked insulin syringes with 1/2 inch needles and have two boxes of them at home. They are veterinary insulin syringes. Your vet may be familiar with the brand and can probably order them for you. https://sol-vet.com/shop/sol-vet/sol-vet-line-insulin-syringes/ Item V3305 (30 gauge needles) and V3295 (29 gauge needles). I honestly don't like this particular brand. The insulin tends to drip out of the needle tip as soon as you invert the syringe even just a tiny bit to poke into the skin to inject so the cat isn't getting the full dose.

I manage with half unit marked 5/16 inch syringes when my cat needs half unit doses. My go-to half unit marked syringes are these BD ones. I use BD whole unit marked 1/2 inch needles when my cat needs a whole unit dose. BD is a pricey brand, though. There are other lesser expensive brands with half unit markings but 5/16 inch needles.

 

[Daphne'sChallenge]

I really appreciate all your help. I'll go ahead and give the 1/2 in needles a go.

 

[cecile & bella]

I order my syringes from AWD: https://www.adwdiabetes.com/product/6941/bd-ultra-fine-8mm-half-unit-syringes
My vet prescribed 5/8" at first, and I preferred them, but my sitter is more used to shorter ones and she brought those. I tried them and now they are the ones I prefer. I do not need a prescription to order from them, and you can also subscribe so you pay less.

 

[cecile & bella]

I did find half unit marked insulin syringes with 1/2 inch needles and have two boxes of them at home. They are veterinary insulin syringes. Your vet may be familiar with the brand and can probably order them for you. https://sol-vet.com/shop/sol-vet/sol-vet-line-insulin-syringes/ Item V3305 (30 gauge needles) and V3295 (29 gauge needles). .

Be careful though, the link goes to U40 syringes, and for Lantus you do not want that, but U100.

 

[Hendrick Cuddleclaw]

we used the longer needles at first and did not like it. I would accidentally go right through and out the other side of the skin tent! 5/16ths were the sweet spot for us.

 

[squeem3]

Be careful though, the link goes to U40 syringes, and for Lantus you do not want that, but U100.

It goes to the one product page. The picture is a U40 box. All of the available syringes are listed below the picture, both U40 and U100. I included the specific item numbers for the U100 insulin syringes in bold in my post above for the OP.

 

[FrostD]

Another vote for the shorter needles, I always felt like I was going to hit his spine or something with the long ones probably not actually possible, just preferred short. Also less likely to go straight through