| I get many questions from owners of pets with | | | | U-40. |
| diabetes. This month, I address pet insulin syringes. | | | | U-40 and U-100 are the common insulin concentrations |
| Dear Dr. Gary, | | | | and syringe types used to treat dogs and cats. To |
| My dog has been getting 5 units of insulin with U-40 | | | | give insulin to your animal, there are two types of |
| syringes, but I ran out of syringes and I all have are | | | | syringes available, U-40 and U-100. A 1 mL syringe is |
| U-100 syringes. Is 1 unit of insulin in a U-40 syringe equal | | | | universal, but the difference is a U-40 syringe has unit |
| to 1 unit in a U-100 syringe? | | | | increments up to 40, whereas a U-100 syringe has |
| George | | | | markings up to 100. |
| For George and other pet owners, I'm sure it gets | | | | Looking at a ½ mL of insulin in each syringe, a U-40 |
| confusing at times. Let's back up a moment so I can | | | | will have 20 units and a U-100 will contain 50 units of |
| explain the difference between U-40 and U-100. | | | | insulin. It is essential for your diabetic pet that the |
| Always discuss your pet's health with your veterinarian | | | | proper insulin and syringe is used to deliver the correct |
| before administering any medication. | | | | amount of insulin. |
| A vial of insulin contains a sterile solution and an insulin | | | | Some pet owners may have access to U-40 or U-100 |
| source. The amount of insulin your dog or cat needs is | | | | syringes that may not match the bottle of insulin they |
| measured in units. Veterinary insulin is available in | | | | are using. It is possible to mix insulin and syringe, but |
| different concentrations, commonly known as U-40 or | | | | using syringes and insulin that were not prescribed is |
| U-100 vials. The "U" is an abbreviation of unit and the | | | | not recommended without consulting your veterinarian. |
| number after the unit represents the concentration, i.e. | | | | If any changes are made, it is important that you |
| how many units ('pieces of insulin') are in one milliliter | | | | communicate with your veterinarian prior. Your |
| (mL). | | | | veterinarian will need to know of any changes to the |
| A U-40 syringe has 40 units ('pieces of insulin') per mL | | | | type of insulin, the type of insulin syringe and the |
| and a U-100 syringes has 100 units ('pieces of insulin') | | | | amount of units given so the correct dose is |
| per mL. This means there is approximately 2.5 times | | | | determined prior to any change. |
| more insulin ('pieces') in a unit of U-100 insulin compared | | | | Do you have pet diabetes questions? Ask Dr. Gary. |
| to U-40 insulin or to put it another way the same | | | | Email him at gary. |
| amount of U-100 insulin is 2.5 times stronger than the | | | | |