Using a U 40 insulin syringe to administer insulin to your animal can be a harrowing proposition sometimes. Usually it is the first few times when both the human owner and the pet are nervous and unsure about this new thing that is taking place. Some pets don’t like new things and can be irritable to the point of being dangerous and the human owner can be nervous to the point of being dangerous to the pet. Typically time and a little practice will calm the nerves of both the injecter and injectee.
Typically your veterinarian will examine your pet and prescribe a recommended amount of insulin each day to manage your pet’s diabetes. Some insulin formulations and pets lend themselves to only needing one daily injection, but many pets need two injections, morning and night to control their diabetes. The injections are relatively easy to do. You need clean hands and fairly sanitary conditions. Insulin should be kept refrigerated and needs slight mixing when removed from the refrigerator. Just roll the bottle between your hands several times to mix the insulin solution before filling your U40 insulin syringe.
Some larger animals may require a U-100 syringe for their insulin dose, but most animals get by with the U40 insulin syringe. U40 syringes are calibrated to be used with the U40 strength insulin and make it easy to provide the correct dose each time. Normally one full syringe is one dose for your pet. Fill the syringe by inserting the needle into the bottle of insulin and pull the plunger back to fill the syringe. Expel any bubbles by tapping the side of the syringe and depressing the plunger slightly to push them out of the syringe.
Once the syringe is prepared pinch up a fold of skin on your pet’s back, on either side of the spine, and put the needle into the fold. Then push on the plunger to inject the insulin.
Remove the needle carefully and dispose of it where no accidents can happen. The first few times may be harrowing for each of you, but with some care and practice the injections will soon become just part of the routine care for your pet.