How To Choose Insulin Pen Needles For Dogs and Cats

Posted on October 31, 2017 by Holly

Insulin pens are a popular and convenient method for giving insulin to dogs and cats with diabetes. Insulin pens are a device that holds multiple doses of insulin inside of a chamber and can be reused. The bottom end has a numbered dial that is twisted for the desired dose (units) and then pressed down like an ink pen to release the insulin. Pen needles are specifically designed to attach and detach from the top of the pen for each injection. Many dog and cat owners prefer the insulin pens over the traditional method of drawing insulin out of a vial with a needle and syringe because they feel the pens are easier they are easier to handle and get a more accurate dosing. Pen needles are required for giving injections with insulin pens, but they come in different types and it can be tricky to know the difference.

What is the difference between Pen Needle Sizes?

Pen Needles Now Available

The size of a needle is usually measured by gauge and length. The gauge number (g) describes how thick a needle is. The higher the gauge number, the thinner the needle is. For example, a 32g needle is thinner than a 29g needle. Thinner needles can be more comfortable for injection, while thicker needles are more durable. The length of the pen needle is measured in millimeters or inches and is usually chosen by personal preference and the thickness of the skin of the dog or cat being injected. Your veterinarian can help you decide the best type of pen needle to choose for giving insulin injections.

The UltiCare Pen Needles come in 29g, 31g, 32g, and 1/2 inch, 5/16 in, and 5/32 inch sizes. They are universal and made to fit most insulin pens. Designed for injection comfort, each pen needle features a triple beveled tip, polished barrel, and silicone lubrication. They come packaged with a dual purpose storage and built-in sharps container so you can safely and easily dispose of the needles after each use.

Have you ever used an insulin pen to help manage your dog or cat’s diabetes?

New Basaglar Kwik Pen Available For Diabetic Pets

Posted on March 30, 2017 by Holly

One of the most popular insulins with VetRxDirect pet owners is Lantus, and until recently it has been the only one of its kind available. Basaglar, insulin glargine, was approved by the FDA for the treatment of diabetes. The release of Basaglar also means a lower price compared to Lantus, and that’s a big deal for pet owners.

Basaglar, like Lantus, is insulin glargine a type of long-acting human insulin. It lowers and regulates blood sugar levels in pets with diabetes. Because it is long acting, it can take a few hours to start working and then can last for as long as 24 hours. Basaglar also comes in the KwikPen, like Lantus SoloStar Pen, a favorite among pet parents.

Insulin injections are commonly prescribed to animals with diabetes because they are unable to produce their own insulin or use it properly. Giving injections can be difficult and time-consuming once you have wrangled all of the supplies and your pet together. Insulin typically comes in a bottle that has to be drawn out and measured with certain insulin syringes, but many insulins come in pens. Insulin pens hold the medication inside of a chamber and can be reused for multiple doses. The end has a numbered dial that is twisted until the desired dose (units) is displayed and the bottom end is pressed like a pen to release the dose of insulin. Specially designed “pen needles” attach to the opposite end for each injection. Some pet owners prefer using the pens because they are easier to handle and get more accurate dosing.

Basaglar KwikPen is easy to use. It has a twist dial for giving doses as small as 1 unit and fits with most U-100 pen needles. Talk with your veterinarian about insulin pens and if Basaglar is right for your pet.

Choosing the Best Pet Insulin Syringes

Posted on November 16, 2016 by Holly

Diabetes can be a challenging disease to manage in animals. Dogs and cats can both develop diabetes and currently, there is no cure for it. Often, it requires a treatment plan designed by a veterinarian that involves checking blood sugar and giving insulin shots. If you have to give your pet regular insulin shots, you may already know the challenges involved, but having the right equipment to get the job done can make it easier. Or, if your pet has recently been diagnosed, you may wonder what kind of syringes you need. Pet insulin syringes are made in various types and sizes, so it can be tricky to know the difference.

U-100 vs U-40 Pet Insulin Syringes

U-40 Pet Insulin Syringes Available at VetRxDirect

U-40 Pet Insulin Syringes. Half Unit Measurements Now Available.

Unlike other medications, insulin is measured in units. “Units” is short for international units (IU), which is a form of measurement used for describing volume. Insulin for animals usually comes in two different concentrations: 40 units/mL and 100 units/mL. Depending on the brand of insulin, the concentration may be written on the bottle as 100 units/mL, U-100, 100 IU, or 40 units/mL, U-40, 40 IU. When selecting syringes to use with your pet’s insulin, you want to make sure they match the concentration, otherwise your pet will receive the wrong dose. This is because the syringes have different dosage markings. For example: if you have Lantus 100 units/mL, you would use U-100 syringes, or Vetsulin 40 units/mL would use U-40 syringes. If you are unsure of the concentration of your pet’s insulin, talk to your veterinarian.

Pet Insulin Syringes Needle Gauge & Length

U-100 Pet Insulin Syringes. Half Unit Measurements Now Available

Insulin syringes have an attached needle, and the size of a needle is usually measured by gauge and length. The gauge number describes how thick a needle is, and the higher the number, the thinner the needle. For example, a 32g needle is thinner than a 28g needle. Thinner is usually more comfortable for injection, and thicker is more durable. The length of the needle is measured in inches and is usually based on personal preference and skin thickness. Needles typically come in 28g, 29g, 31g, and 1/2 in or 5/16 in, depending on the manufacturer.

Pet Insulin Syringes Size

The total capacity of the syringes is measured by cc or mL which are actually equal to each other. The size of the syringe will depend on how much insulin is needed for the dose. They are also labeled with dosage markings, either in full or half unit increments. Syringes typically come in 3/10 cc, 1/2 cc , and 1cc sizes. Talk with your veterinarian about which needle and syringe type will work best for you and your pet.

At VetRxDirect, you can find a wide selection of insulin syringes. The UltiCare Syringes have a large combination of needle and syringe sizes in both U-40 and U-100. They also come in a Safe Pack, which includes syringes and a sharps container all-in-one for storage and disposal, and is available in all standard sizes. UltiCare needles feature a triple beveled tip, polished barrel, and silicone lubrication for optimal injection comfort. Dosage markings are clear and easy to read, making sure your pet gets the right dose.