Is it possible to use insulin syringes more than 1 time?

Question

My sister's cat had been on 1 insulin shot each A.M. Her last visit to the vet showed an increase in her glucose level, & she needs to have it 2 times a day. Would it be possible to use the same syringe for both shots, being careful to wipe the needle off with alcohol, or would this not be acceptable to do this?

Answer 1

Hi. yes but it isn't recommended as the needles have a fine coating that will wear off after the first use which may cause the 2nd shot to be a bit painful. You also risk contaminating the insulin.

The fact that your vet recommended 1 shot a day to start with shows he may not have alot of experience in treating this disease. I have alot of experience and even adopt diabetic cats. Please contact me as I can help your sister alot with taking control of this disease

Answer 2

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Answer 3

My 10 year old cat was just diagnosed a month ago and this is what my vet told me- Cats are not as sensitive to bacteria as humans are- go ahead and reuse the needles 2 or 3 xs. After that they get dull and your cat will feel the shot more. You will know it has become to dull if the cat turns and looks when you insert the needle. Alcohol is not nessecary, but if you feel you must, make sure it has completely dried before using the needle, so it doesn't sting.My guy is also on the twice a day schedule and is doing great!!!

Answer 4

Yes, it is possible to reuse syringes for insulin injection if one wishes to. Reusing syringes is discouraged because of risk of infection. wiping the needle with alcohol or sterilization can make the needle dull. My suggestion is this, instead of reusing, just buy extra needle. when you inject your cat's insulin in the morning take off the used needle and replace it with a new needle for use in the next insulin injection. In this way, you are preventing the risk of infection and still able to cut down some expenses on the syringes. You can reuse the syringes if you want. Just make sure that you sterilize it and you're using new needles. Just remember that the more you reuse your equipment, the higher the risk of infection.

Answer 5

I don't care what anyone tells you. Do not use the syringes more then once. First once you use it it is no longer sterile. The needle can introduce bacteria into the insulin and into your cat. Secondly every time the needle is inserted into anything it becomes more dull and a dull needle is painful. Would you want the same needle used on you a bunch of times??

Answer 6

I reuse mine, they do get duller with every use and can hurt when going in, but for two uses it's ok.

Don't wipe with alcohol! This will contaminate the insulin as well as sting on the cat. Just re-cap it and you can use it that evening. If you drag it out to four injection useages, that will hurt when you put the needle in, it'll be too dull at that point.

Are you using Lantus? My vet had said that the vials only last a month and to throw it away after that (HUGELY expensive for me!) I'm glad I talked to the pharmacist about that--Lantus isn't as delicate as they first thought and a vial can be used for up to 3 months. Knowing this made it a lot more affordable.

Answer 7

You can but it is better not to as after the first shot the needle becomes more blunt the more it gets used. If you have none left use until you get to the vets to get some more

Answer 8

As a Vet tech I can tell you that as long it is the same pet, you can use your syringe 2 times before discarding it. DO NOT wipe with alcohol. This will sting when it is placed back into the cat. Please place the cap back on, and it will be fine.

Answer 9

My sister in law uses them again. She makes sure that the needle is sterilized and that the inside is also clean. Insulin needs to be kept old, so don't let it stay out of the refrigerator.

Answer 10

as long as its used on the same pet, and you keep the cap on it, i dont see it being a problem.