A Thorough Guide to Syringes

Looking for the correct syringes for insulin can be really confusing! When Lucy was first diagnosed with diabetes, I had no idea what all the numbers meant. We’ve learned about diabetic insulin syringes for pets before, but let’s take a more in-depth look this time. Hopefully this will answer all the questions you may have.

Let’s jump right in!

We cannot break down diabetic insulin syringes for pets without first understanding insulin.

Insulin comes in two concentrations for dogs and cats: U40 insulin (Vetsulin, Caninsulin, Prozinc) and U100 insulin (NPH, Levemir, Lantus).

U40 insulin has 40 parts of insulin per 1 mL or cc.

U100 insulin has 100 parts of insulin per 1 mL or cc.

Since the concentrations are different, the barrels of syringes hold different units of insulin, so using the wrong syringe can cause an underdose or an overdose of insulin. This is why it is so important to use the correct syringes with insulin.

Let’s look at each part of the syringe.

A. Needle – The diabetic needle delivers insulin.

A.1 Point – Tip of the needle.

A.2 Bevel – Needles are cut to a bevel so that they slice into skin easily. Bevel should be pointed up when giving injections, which allows the needle to slice into the skin, making it virtually painless.

A.3 Gauge – This is the diameter of the needle. Most often used are 29-, 30-, and 31-gauge. Gauge can also depend on length of the needle—the longer the needle, the smaller the gauge 8 mm (5/6”) or 12.7 mm (1/2”). Using short needles can affect the rate of insulin absorption due to insulin needing to be in the correct subcutaneous area.

A.4 Needle length – Needle length used in dogs and cats should be 8 mm (5/6”) or 12.7 mm (1/2”). Using short needles can affect the rate of insulin absorption due to insulin needing to be in the correct subcutaneous area

B. Hub – Holds the needle and barrel together.

C. Barrel – Holds insulin. Barrels are 0.3 cc, 0.5 cc, or 1.0 cc. The amount of units that the barrel holds depends on the type of insulin being used. U40 insulin and U100 syringes hold different amounts of units since U40 and U100 insulin are different concentrations.

C.1 U40 insulin – Vetsulin, Caninsulin, and Prozinc insulin has 40 parts of insulin per 1 cc or mL.

0.3 cc holds 12 units

0.5 cc holds 20 units

1.0 cc holds 40 units

C.2 U100 insulin – NPH, Levemir, and Lantus has 100 parts of insulin per 1 cc or mL.

0.3 cc holds 30 units

0.5 cc holds 50 units

1.0 cc holds 100 units

D. Plunger – Moveable part of syringe that draws up and pushes out insulin.

Gauge can be a bit confusing. The bigger the number, the smaller the diameter of the needle. So, 31-gauge is smaller than 29-gauge. Needle length coincides with the gauge; a 31-gauge needle cannot be 12.7 mm (1/2”) in length because the walls of the needle cannot hold its rigidity well and may bend easily.

Here is an interpretation of syringe boxes.

I hope this thorough breakdown helps you understand diabetic insulin syringes for pets and what all those numbers mean! 

Links to PetTest syringes:

PetTest U-40 Insulin Syringes 31G, 0.3cc, 5/16" (8 mm) - https://shoppettest.com/advocate-pettest-u-40-insulin-syringes-31g-3cc-5-16-100-box/

PetTest U-40 Insulin Syringes 31G, 0.5cc, 5/16” (8 mm) - https://shoppettest.com/advocate-pettest-u-40-insulin-syringes-31g-5cc-5-16-100-box/

PetTest U-40 Insulin Syringes 30G, 0.5 cc, 1/2” (12.7 mm) – https://shoppettest.com/pettest-u-40-insulin-syringes-30g-5cc-half-inch

Advocate U-100 Insulin Syringes 30G, 0.3cc, 5/16" (8 mm) - https://shoppettest.com/advocate-syringes-30g-3cc-5-16-100-box/

Advocate U-100 Insulin Syringes 30G, 0.3cc, 1/2" (12.7 mm) - https://shoppettest.com/advocate-u-100-insulin-syringes-30g-3cc-1-2-100-box-1/

Advocate Pen Needles - 31G, 5/16” (8 mm) - https://shoppettest.com/advocate-pen-needles-31g-x-8mm-100-box/

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please start a conversation below.

For a printable version of this blog, click  here.

Until next week, stay comfy, warm, and caffeinated!

Michelle Miller-Matlock

AAHA Certified Diabetes Educator

Founder/Administrator of DDO: Diabetic Dog Owners University

Administrator of Diabetic Dog Owners on Facebook

Want to learn all you can in a simple and easy to follow format? Please join DDO-U: Diabetic Dog Owners University , graciously sponsored by PetTest.

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