Needle sizes....

[BeastieSlave]

I'm finally getting to the bottom of my seemingly endless needle supply (where the heck did they all come from?!) and as I prepare to order more syringes and needles, I got to wondering....

Is there a simpler system? Can I get away with having 3+- sizes of each? Did I really need all those different needles anyway?

FYI, I don't think I have any special requirements. I just have the usual needs (for a person with 7-9 beasties to care for). I find that most of my injections are Adequan, banamine, ace, etc. I do everything I can to avoid pro-pen and I don't think I've had to give anything 'thick' in ages. I give way more IM than IV injections and I don't think I do that many anyway.

So, fellow COTH'ers, what do YOU keep on hand and why?

[Dbonius]

Hey there! I am a vet assistant and I have a barn full of beasties as well. It sounds like having 6cc with 20gX1 1/2" needles would be good and it is always good to have 12cc syringes on hand for things like banamine. Prob with the same size needle for IM injections. And poss having some 3cc with 20gX1" needles for IV injections. I have found that sometimes it is easier to give IV with a shorter needle. Personal preference.... if you ever have to give something thick 19g or maybe 18g would be good. And for foals we use
22gX1" needles.
Ive prob rambled enough now! Hope these suggestions help. :D

[mroades]

I am perfectly happy with 20 x1 1/2 needles. Suits every need.

[deltawave]

Whatever we have lying around at work. :) Usually 18 or 20ga.

[SquishTheBunny]

I think either 20g or 18g would be fine.

Ideally, 18g for thicker substances and IM shots
20g for IV injections (if not thick)

But....I usually keep a stock of 18g only. I figure for emergency use, the only IV injections I give is Banamine, and my horses require about 11mls, would rather give it quicker with an 18 than longer with a 20.

[Equino]

Since my usual med trunk consists of Ace, Dex, Banamine, Depo, Adequan and Legend, I keep two sizes on hand: 20ga X 1 (for IV's) and 20ga X 1 1/2 (for IM's). My vet is aware of this so f she dispenses a medication she feels requires a different size needle, she will leave those needles with me (ex-penicellen or allergy meds that are given SC). That's what I'm comfortable with!

For syringes, I have 3 sets-3cc's, 6cc's and 12cc's. If I have a horse that is getting Baytrill, for example, I'll get 35cc syringes from the vet when I get the Baytrill. Or if I'm getting drugs for a dentist visit, I'll pick up a bunch of 1cc syringes when getting dorm/torb.

[OverOxers]

18g 1.5" for everything, IM, IV, Blood Draws (well I will use a 20g 1" if drawing blood from the face (old habit from working as a tech.)) What can I say, I'm not a bleeding heart and really an 18g needle isn't that big. However I did have some 22g needles and giving anything with those sucked!

[RAyers]

Whatever we have lying around at work. :) Usually 18 or 20ga.

I never want to be one of your patients! Good gravy, can you cut my arm off instead? ;)

Actually I use anything from my work too. It goes all the way from insulin (human) to 14 gauge (cattle and solution bags). With horses it is either 18 or 20. I like 25 for subcu injections.

[bugsynskeeter]

I use at home what was drilled into me at work:

20 g X 1" IV
22 g X 1.5" IM
25 g X 5/8" SQ

[BeastieSlave]

Well I feel a little better if deltawave says she uses whatever is on hand!! :)

That's kind of how I've been. I inherited a fabulous stockpile of everything when a Pony Club friend got out of horses. I have my 'favorites' and of course, the vets leave things from time to time, but it's time to replenish the stockpile :yes:

[deltawave]

Reed, you big pansy. ;)

Those are the needles we use to draw up meds and isotopes and stuff. The needles I use on people are 16 or 14ga! :winkgrin: (Lidocaine first, 25ga sc, I am not an ogre!) ;)

[Dad Said Not To]

SO (paramedic) says that the majority of IVs that they place are 18g... but if the patient is a PITA and their veins can accomodate it, they'll use a 16g or a 14g. WITHOUT lido.

[deltawave]

A 14ga IV! May as well call it a central line and be done with it, damn. :eek:

I rarely start IVs, I actually suck at it. Much easier to put 'em in the jugular or the femoral vessels. :yes:

[merrygoround]

OK I must be a rarity. I use a 19 1-1/2TW (thin wall) for most everything. I drop down , or up, to a 25G 5/8" for s/c. Most stuff goes IM, I seldom do IV or s/c.