What size oral feeding syringe?

[Lisa & Leo]

What size oral syringe do you use? I've been using one from the vet we got for meds that is 1mL. I've used it for Karo but it was one use and is getting old. But Leo has started to refuse food when he is low, and I am getting quite tired of opening can after can of food so he can refuse it, and then I end up at Karo because he won't eat, and then I end up with a huge bounce. I am going to start syringing him food rather than waiting for him to tank and hang below 50. This is just too much a waste of money going through 5 or 6 cans when this happens. I just wasted most of a day babysitting him, and he's still not stable over 50. So I think I need something larger like 10mL? Thank you.

 

[tuckers mom]

When I have to syringe feed I buy the ones at the pet food store for parrots. Apparently parrots are syringe fed quite a bit because they have a lot to choose from. They are larger than your regular 3ml. I cut off the tip so a little more food comes out. I also use vaseline on the plunger after a few uses so it doesn't dry. If too dry you may end up pushing on the plunger, having it feel stuck so you push hard and then shove way too much food onto your kitty's face or worse down the throat. I always syringe feed at the side of the mouth to avoid having food go directly down the throat.

 

[BJM]

I can tell you're really frustrated right now. He's only been on insulin since July/August; perhaps he might be considered new enough than you could do a reduction? Maybe make it a tiny reduction of 0.25 units or less? And perhaps that would give you a bit more safety margin when he is low.

 

[Lisa & Leo]

Hi Jennifer - thank you for the recommendation. Since this is becoming a more regular thing, I was thinking of buying a box. I will check those out at the store - thanks!

Hi BJM - yes, sometimes I get really frustrated with this. Leo is a big bouncer. We have been up and down the dosing scale a few times between 1u and 2u. He earns reductions quickly by bouncing through them, but doesn't hold them well, so we end up going back up. So I started microdosing. I am increasing/decreasing by 1/8th units and measuring with a micrometer. More often than not, he has full-day cycles. This has seriously impacted my life and I am looking for different ways to manage this.