Idea Exchange: Thinner needles cause less discomfort

My colleagues and I use Ultra-Fine (BD) insulin syringes with 29-ga needles when drawing blood from kittens for our in-house FeLV/FIV test kits, which we do at their first appointment. We see fewer hematomas when we use Ultra-Fine needles, and kittens seem more tolerant of venipuncture. We also use these needles when performing blood glucose curves in dogs or cats to minimize trauma from obtaining multiple samples.

Dr. Geoff Jarbeau

Arlington, Mass.