UltiCare Insulin Syringes: U-40 vs. U-100

When using insulin it is imperative to use an appropriate syringe that matches the type of insulin you are using. Since veterinarians use both U-40 and U-100 insulin for the treatment of diabetes, it is critical to be certain about the insulin you are using so your pet can be treated properly.

When using U-40 insulin, you should only use U-40 insulin syringes. And for U-100 insulin, you should only use U-100 insulin syringes. This will ensure that the dosage your veterinarian has prescribed for your pet is being administered properly.

Some facts about insulin syringes:

The concentration of insulin will always be listed on the bottle and the packaging.
The syringe description will always be listed on the packaging and usually is listed on the syringe.
1 cc means one cubic centimeter which is the same as 1 ml or 1 milliliter. The terms cc and ml are used interchangeably.
Common examples of U-100 insulin include glargine/Lantus, NPH and detemir/Levemir. These are products made for humans that veterinarians may use on veterinary patients.
Vetsulin and Prozinc are 2 types of U-40 insulin that are manufactured and FDA approved for veterinary patients.
If you use compounded insulin you must verify with your veterinarian the concentration of insulin.
Smaller volume syringes have a more narrow barrel. This makes it easier to accurately dose the insulin. (The lines demarcating units are spaced further apart on smaller volume syringes.)
The volume of the syringe will affect the maximum number of units that can be given. For example a 3/10 cc U-40 syringe can hold 3/10 x 40 or 12 units. Likewise, a 3/10 cc U-100 syringe can hold 3/10 x 100 or 30 units. Larger veterinary patients may need ½ cc or 1 cc volume syringes.
Gauge means the width of the needle. 29 gauge needles are quite small and cause minimal discomfort when injecting your pet.
½ inch means the length of the needle. Many people find ½ inch long needles easier to use than 5/16th inch long needles.

Never hesitate to ask your veterinarian if you have any questions. We at ADW are also here to help!