I Feel Like Goldilocks without a Syringe!

Discussion in 'Feline Health - (Welcome & Main Forum)' started by sofapup, Jan 1, 2018.

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  1. sofapup

    sofapup Member

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    Sep 17, 2015
    My Levon is a difficult kitty! He has been in remission before, for over a year. Now, at 1 unit twice a day he goes too high. At 1.5 units twice a day he goes too low (56 last week on AlphaTrak.) Because of his history, our vet is reluctant to increase his dose, since he seems to be so sensitive to insulin. Not much wiggle room.

    I would try 1.25 units, but those markings on the syringe are just too small to read, and two different people give him his shots. I've read the recommendations here about using syringes with 1/2 unit markings, but I can't find any. Neither Walgreens nor Costco carries them. Where do you guys buy yours?

    I just want it all to be "just right."
     
  2. JeffJ

    JeffJ Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2016
    I get Walgreens standard 5/16" U100's. They come in a box of 100, and have 1/2 unit marks. $18 - so the price is great.

    Leo is also sensitive to small dose changes. I guess you could also try another insulin like Levemir.
     
  3. Chris & China (GA)

    Chris & China (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 10, 2013
    All these have half unit markings and are the correct syringes for U100 insulin and are available from ADW online:
    UtiCare
    Monoject
    Carepoint
    Sure Comfort
    BD Ultra-Fine

    They're also available at WalMart if you have one near you..Their Relion Brand 3/10ml, 3o or 31 gauge, 8mm insulin syringes all come with half unit markings and are only $12.58 for a box of 100 (although it seems a lot of WalMart employees don't realize that they DO come with half unit markings!!)
     
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  4. lovemycat444

    lovemycat444 Member

    Joined:
    Jul 10, 2017
    My vet has called in prescription for syringes to the CVS / Walgreens pharmacy. At another vet I bought a plastic box of them. The kind of medical plastic box containing syringes in 10 pack plastic bag packaging and the box itself has a syringe disposal built in the box.

    I don't have the box in front of me so I don't want to give non 100% accurate info for u-100 syringes (gage, etc)

    Best of luck and warm wishes to both of you for getting the correct exact dosage for Levon!
     
  5. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2015
  6. sofapup

    sofapup Member

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    Sep 17, 2015
    Thanks for the info! It seems like a lot of you trust/like ADW. I've looked at several sites, but was unsure about trusting them. Walgreens has been no help to me here. I never thought of Walmart cuz it's the evil empire. And Costco, despite advertising that they are the best for pet meds, also struck out. So I'll give ADW a try.

    Any preferences on brands?
     
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  7. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2015
    I use BDs, but they sell a lot of different brands at ADW. I used to buy my syringes at Walmart but it was always a struggle, arguing with the incredibly rude pharmacist, and the staff could never find the ones I wanted...it just got to be a big hassle. Ordering from ADW isso much easier!
     
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  8. Myagi (GA) and Heidi

    Myagi (GA) and Heidi Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2017
    I use both the BD and the Carepoint. Personally like the carepoint better because the new Bd's are stiffer for drawing finer doses. I also use adw. Best of luck! :bighug:
     
  9. Sylvie

    Sylvie Member

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2017
    current carepoint batch on adw stink, not made right and plunger stops at last 1/2 unit mark and given my bad eyes i didn't notice for like 3 days that my cat was only getting .25 units on .75 unit times and nothing on the .50 unit injection..
     
  10. sofapup

    sofapup Member

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2015
    Back again, same problem. I was able to get 29 gauge needles from walmart with the 1/2 unit marks. Until today. They tell me they will not be carrying that gauge any more. I've searched ADW for this, but can't find it. If I go to 30 - 31 gauge there are choices, but do I want to do that? I specifically want 29 gauge, 1/2 inch, u100, 3/10 mL (I think. Not sure what the 3 - 10 mL means.) Is this available and I'm just not finding it?

    30 gauge is finer, right? Levon doesn't struggle, as long as he is eating he barely notices his injection. It's all pretty easy with him. (Don't even ask about testing from his ear. HSSSSSS!) So, effectively, what difference would the gauge make?

    Julia
     
  11. krazy4kritters

    krazy4kritters Member

    Joined:
    Jan 18, 2018
    The first box I got was from the pet pharmacy; Easy Touch brand. The whole unit and half unit marks were one after another and I had a super hard time seeing what I was pulling. I just bought a box of Relion brand from Walmart because I kne the whole and half unit lines were staggered. I hate them! I draw air bubbles every time. I'm going to switch again. Both boxes are 3/10 mL cc 31 gauge 8mm (5/16") length- short needle.
    As far a needle gauge I think a 31 would be fine. It's thinner that a 29. Why do you want to keep the 29 gauge?
    ~Nicole
     
  12. Sylvie

    Sylvie Member

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2017
    adw still has 29g's
    https://www.adwdiabetes.com/product/1289/monoject-ultra-comfort-u100-syringes-29g-3-10cc-1-2in-100ct

    but, for like $5 cheaper you can get same brand (monojects are my fav out of others i tried) in 30g which is what i use. no difference just thiner and shorter needles (the 30g's are 8mm) that works just as good. just be careful if you put orange cap back on your syringes after use, the needles tend to bend and poke right through cap and into your finger if you are not watching what you are doing :rolleyes:

    https://www.adwdiabetes.com/product...100-syringes-30g-3-10cc-5-16in-100ct-1-2-unit
     
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  13. JeffJ

    JeffJ Well-Known Member

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    Jul 7, 2016
    Sylvie is correct! I had a used needle. I poked thru the orange cap and nailed myself. You can be sure I never repeated that again. DANG that hurt. Now I use shorter needles, but it can still happen.
     
  14. Sharon14

    Sharon14 Well-Known Member

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    Aug 16, 2015
  15. sofapup

    sofapup Member

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    Sep 17, 2015
    Thanks, Sylvie, for the link. Searching the site I still can't find that item, but I got it from your link.
    Why do I want 29 g? That's what I'm asking. It's what I've always used, but I don't know if I even want to continue with it.
     
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