Insulin needles recommendation?

Hi all,

I have been reading this forums for a while, but this is my first post. I recently adopted my first cat (Winston), and it turns out he has inflammatory bowel disease. The vet has recommended B12 injections, which she taught me to inject using a needle typically used for insulin. Problem is, Winston is a bit wiggly and I am no expert at injections. Every time I get the needle in, the end sticks and is hard to push. I just tested the needle outside of his skin, and it took some serious effort to push it. In these precious few seconds, Winston realizes what I'm doing and tries to escape. I'm also afraid of pushing too hard and hurting him.

Does anyone have experience with a good brand of needles? Thanks in advance!

In my experience B12 is too thick to be pushed easily through an insulin syringe.  Usually you want a 3cc syringe with a 22gauge needle (I think that's the gauge).  Is there anyone who can help hold him while you administer the injection?

Call your vet and ask for a more appropriate needle and syringe I'm sure they'll just give you a handful -- my vet does.

Thanks both of you! I called the vet's office today and asked about my issue. Hopefully I can get some different needles. The ones I have are from the vet, but I'm hoping she'll recommend others. I do have someone to hold Winston while I inject, but that's not really the issue. I just tried again tonight, and I can get the needle in the scruff of his neck without Winston really noticing. But then I have to use so much force to get the needle to compress and expel the fluid, that it's really difficult to keep my hands steady and make sure the needle is still in his skin (he has long hair). And I do not like the feeling that I'm going to slip and stab the poor guy!

Don't know if you've found a good syringe by now, but I thought I'd add my 2 cents -- I use the ReliOn brand (from wal-mart -- $12 for 100, and I actually use each one a few times (not sure if you can do that with B12 also?)).  I've experimented with different sizes, and I find the 29 gauge, relatively "long" ones (12.7 mm (= 1/2")) work quite smoothly and with practically no effort.  Important to note that I'm injecting insulin, and it sounds like the B12 might be a little "thicker" and therefore more difficult to inject? If that's the case, I'd recommend going to the next-larger gauge (which, like wire, will be a smaller number).  

When I first started administering the shots I was more tentative, and my own insecurity and lack of experience was probably the biggest hurdle.  My vet instructed me to do it right after meals, which is probably a good idea for you to try -- maybe Winston will begin to associate the experience with something pleasant like food and, if you're lucky, may even figure out that the shots make him feel better...  That is what has happened to my diabetic cat.  I let him smell the syringe before the injection (sort of solidifying the sensory association by bringing in his nose -- insulin has a bit of a "hospital" smell...sort of antiseptic but not thoroughly unpleasant) and now he simply turns around and waits for his shot!  He will even remind me if I've forgotten to do it...  

Obviously each cat is different, but i think that including positive things/activities in the process is always smart.  Keep at it, and it'll get easier for both of you.