Newly diagnosed diabetic cat - how should I dispose of his insulin injection needles?

Question

I didn't even think to ask the vet at first, left her a message today, but no call back yet. Does anyone know? Right now, I haven't thrown any out, just storing the used ones in a coffee can with a top, but not sure what to do with them now?

Answer 1

Hi I have a diabetic cat also. I save the used supplies and turn them into the pharmacy.
Can I suggest you go to felinediabetes.com and become a member. Sign in on the Health board. Introduce yourself and start learning an amazing amount of things about cat diabetes that I bet neither you nor your vet knows. Vets do their best but FD is something many rarely if ever treat, They follow what they learned in a text book back when they were in school. Their nutrition classes came basically from pet food companies that make the most money on selling low qualty dry food and prescription foods that are also low quality but call in a higher price. My girl almost died from a vet who swore he knew exactly what to do for a diabetic cat.
The more you know the more proactive you can be. We will teach you how to home test your cat and you will save tons of money on vet bills. Also remember if you had diabetes you would not give yourself a shot of insulin without knowing your blood glucose level. Your cat deserves the same treatment.
We have pictures, videos and people that will walk you through it and help you. My cat was able to go off insulin 3 months after begining it and would have been off faster if I would have found the diabetic board.

http://www.catinfo.org/
This is written by Dr. Lisa a DVM
who posts on our board and is an
expert in cat diets.


http://www.felinediabetes.com/diabetic-cat-diets.htm
Choose a canned food high in protein and under 10% carb (not fish)

Great spot to see pictures and learn how to do blood tests
http://www.sugarcats.net/sites/harry/bgtest.html


Great spot to see pictures and learn how to do blood tests
http://www.sugarcats.net/sites/harry/bgtest.html

There are over 4000 members and there is basically 24/7 help for problems. We want you to work with your vet but we want your cat to get the best care. If there is something new that your vet doesn't know you can help educate and she will be a better vet and you will have helped future diabetic cats.
I went through 2 vets before I found one that admited he knew next to nothing about FD asked me for information, which I provided, and said he would work with me and would order what I asked for etc. He of course wants some back up for what I would want and why. I am on his list that if a diabetic cat comes in he will referr the family to me for free help in home testing and feeding etc. He is willing to forgo the money from sales of food from his office for better cat health.

Good luck and the sugar dance is a hard dance to learn but once you do you will find that your have bonded so close to your baby that your almost read each others minds. A dance we never want to learn but one that can be very sweet and precious.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

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Answer 4

They're considered medical waste. Just keep storing them in a container and then take it to a hospital or the vets office when full.

I've asked at Walmart and Walgreens and both said that they don't take those things for collection.

What I do with mine is take the syringes apart, throw away the plastic pieces and put the part with the actual needle into a container. Lately I've found that a needle nose pliers can just pull the needle out, so I've been doing that and it takes up less room. It's like used razor blades,those are supposed to not be thrown in the garbage either (though people do, I'm sure!).

Answer 5

You can get a disposal bucket that has a clipper on the top.
You can take a pair of pliers and bend the needle over in a J and put the needle cap back on and put it in the ordinary trash (in small quantities) which is what I did with monthly allergy shot for dog.
Since it not human blood on the needles, I don't think you have to treat them as hazardous waste. You should have an Emergency Animal Clinic within range of a phone call, most bigger cities have one. Type those three words and your ZIP code into a search engine or into Google maps as a nearby business. Ask them. Some vets are now open 7 days, look in yellow pages listings.

Answer 6

Make sure the alcohol is dry before you inject. Alcohol will BURN if you get it into your flesh when you inject! OUCH! If your insulin is cold, from the fridge, it will burn. Any opened insulin vial can be safely stored at room temps for about a month. Check the paper flyer in the box, it tells you what the correct storage range is. Sometimes the needle will have a burr in it and will hurt more. Sometimes new needles are dull and hurt more. Some brands are worse than others. I prefer BD, they seem to have better quality control and I get less pain with them. Sometimes you hit a nerve and it hurts more, this happens to everyone. Avoid the navel or belly button area. The flesh in this area is tougher and scars more easily and doesn't absorb insulin well. Also avoid scars, stretch marks and moles. If your insulin is cloudy, then its a mixed insulin, (two or three types in one bottle). You need to mix it thoroughly before you inject, or you'll get very unpredictable results. The longer you have diabetes and do injections, the less it will bother you.

Answer 7

You can purchase a 'sharps container' at your local drug store, pharmacy, or store like Walmart or Target. It is a safe container where the needles and syringes are disposed so that they don't end up loose in the garbage stream where they can inadvertently stick someone or where druggies can get a hold of them. They are considered biohazards. You should also check the local laws in your area, as they may differ slightly in the specifics from place to place. In the meantime, cut the needles off the syringes with scissors and dispose of them in a plastic container, which can then be sealed and put in the garbage.

Answer 8

My in law's had the same issue. They called the local hospital. They said it was no problem to drop the used needles off there. They will dispose of them. Just first, explain that they were for a cat. But it won't be an issue. Good luck to ya. Coffee can is an excellent idea also.

Answer 9

I can give you a good answer in that I have had two dogs that were diabetic, I am diabetic and my mom is diabetic.

Ask your vet for a sharps container to put the needles in, if they won't comply then go to the local hospital and as them.

If one of them insists that you purchase them make sure that the purchase price includes disposal. For disposal you simply return it to the p;ace you got it.

Answer 10

The law in the USA right now for all diabetic needles do not need a SHARPS container. They can be thrown away in the trash like normal. You can probably cut a slit in the top of the lid to allow you to just put in the needle portion. I hope everything goes well with your cat.