Syringes: How to Order
**Good news! We now have 1cc syringes in luer slip, which are perfect for medications. If you put the medication in the tube first, and follow with the food, all the medication will reach the destination. AND-you have asked for syringe caps, we now have them also. If you warm your pre-filled syringes in hot water, the caps will keep the food inside.
The correct feeding syringe depends on the type of e-tube and closure your cat has. There are basically two types, luer slip tip and catheter tip as pictured below:
The first type of tube has a top that is threaded and unscrews (usually, but not always, these tubes are clear). For these tubes, you will need a luer slip tip syringe, which has a small diameter to fit perfectly inside the opening.
Shown are the two sizes of syringe available in luer tip, the 35cc and the 60cc. The 35’s are recommended if you have small hands or arthritis as they don’t require you to spread your hand as wide to use them.
Luer Tip Syringes
The next type of tube is the red rubber tube, which is very commonly used. Usually the veterinarian will insert some sort of plug into the end, that you remove or uncap to feed the animal. In order to fit into the funnel-shaped opening(around ¼” wide) you need a larger diameter syringe, the catheter tip. You can see how the tip tapers down to fit snugly into the red rubber tube. At this time, we only have catheter tips in the 60cc size.
Catheter Tip Syringes
Sometimes the vet will do a hybrid type of tube by inserting various adapters into the end of a red rubber tube. Ini the case of this picture of a “y” port, either syringe will work since there are two different sized openings.
"Y" Port Syringes
Before ordering syringes please pay attention to what sort of tip is on your cat’s e-tube or call us.
Benefits of O-ring Syringes
Most of us are supplied with syringes from the vet with black rubber plungers/stoppers. These syringes are designed for a single use as they have lubrication that fails after the first use. If you try to use them repeatedly, you will begin to feel resistance until you either can’t push the plunger, or it squirts forcefully and unpredictably.
The o-ring syringe does not rely on lubrication. Its silicone material is smoother (and won’t harden like rubber) and so it will glide reliably for hundreds of uses; usually until the numbers wear off.
The syringes are much more expensive than the others because of the materials used and being imported from Europe. But once you have used one, you will never use one of the others again.
".. those syringes that I ordered from you are life savers. They are much easier than the Kendall Monoject ones I got from the vet. Is is possible to order about 10 more of them?" Cheryl with Nikki in Florida
Those syringes are the greatest. They make my life so much easier. Meredith with Goldie
I received the O-ring syringes today..What a relief! Done in half the time with half the effort". Mary with Jazzie
A Final Note:
Feeding Syringes Comparison: Green syringe (bottom) is available to purchase in 35cc. Note that the opening is slightly smaller than the standard syringe; I have found that this helps to prevent tube clogs. If the formula can pass through this opening, you will not have a problem in the tube. You may find o-syringes advertised that are "oral" syringes (used for oral medications). These have an even larger tip that does not fit into the standardized luer openings and won't work.
Lastly, you may have seen "luer lock" syringes. They are like the luer slips we sell, but they screw onto the tube port. I don't like them as much because if your cat is frightened and bolts while you are feeding, if you are holding the locked-on syringe, the e-tube will be pulled out-not good!
