I use Canola, Mineral or K-Y Jelly (NOT specialty!) If doing a 7 day/2xday dosing of SMZs for instance, I can get it all done with one syringe. Usually by then it is time to chuck that one. (I usually keep it though, just in case, so I have about 100 barely working dose syringes…)
I like these bc they are a little bit shorter/wider than the standard 60 cc syringe and so I can fill it and shoot with just one squeeze.
http://www.allegromedical.com//catheters-c539/60-cc-ml-irrigation-syringe-w-tip-protector-piston-type-p193134.html#68000_CS?Engine=nextag&utm_source=nextag&utm_medium=feed&CS_003=9076073&CS_010=8ab281020bb66dff010bb680315d77a9&gdftrk=gdfV21244_a_7c477_a_7c1425_a_7c193134
Plastic absorbs bacteria and other contaminents, even if you wash it. If its plastic, dispose of it after a few uses. If you want to reuse one, buy one designed to be reused. The rubber is degrading because its not supposed to be reused over and over so that the syringes you do use are fresh and clean.
[QUOTE=Grataan;6109055]
My guess is you are lubricating it with a petroleum based product, which causes rubber to swell, decay, crack, and fall apart. If you feel you need lubrication, use some olive oil or vegetable oil. Clean the syringe, dry it with a towel, lightly lubricate it (finger tip dipped in oil spread on the stopper), store with stopper inside syringe.
ETA: Do NOT use vaseline unless you want to have to replace the syringe every two or three days.[/QUOTE]
This, and clean it thoroughly right away after use. In my experience, I have found that Bute, especially, seems to effect the rubber pretty quickly and make it not want to slide. Leaving it sit overnight with Bute still on it has not been a way to make it last for me.
My DH suggests that putting a turn or two of teflon tape
(the sort you use for threaded plumbing connections) over
the rubber will let the syringe slide and will last for many
weeks. And you can replace the tape with a new wrap
when it gets worn.
I like lubricating the rim of the rubber part with corn oil because horses get fed corn oil all the time with no ill effects. I’m less comfortable with the chemicals in some of the non-food ointments or lotions others have mentioned. JMO.
Confirmed: This method keeps syringes in good working condition for very long
[QUOTE=Robin@DHH;7301296]
My DH suggests that putting a turn or two of teflon tape
(the sort you use for threaded plumbing connections) over
the rubber will let the syringe slide and will last for many
weeks. And you can replace the tape with a new wrap
when it gets worn.[/QUOTE]
Thanks for the tip Robin@DHH, I confirm that plumbers’ teflon tape available from any hardware place will keep a syringe working potentially forever.
I have now followed this tip for many months with an oral syringe used daily to give supplements and medicine to a dog. The syringe, a cheap variety that normally does not last more than a few days, is still as new and will probably last longer than the dog.
I change the teflon tape every 2 to 3 months. I found 3 turns of plumbers’ teflon tape around the rubber piston give long-lasting results with smoothly sliding plunger and best control.
What you are dosing could be part of the problem. When I had to give oral doxycycline for a week, my vet gave me several syringes because he said that the doxy itself makes the syringe pretty unusable after a few doses (not positive whether it’s the ingredients, or the gritty texture, or both).
[QUOTE=gumshoe;7300708]
I also use Pam. :)[/QUOTE]
Yep! Pam works great! I had a 60cc dose syringe for SMZs for my mare, used if for a MONTH, needed the Pam after the first two weeks or so, but it worked like new when I used it!
[QUOTE=pal-o-mino;6108872]
I’ve been feeding supplements by syringe, one of the big ones for medicine. The rubber part of the plunger always starts to swell or something and it makes it hard to push in the syringe. I’ve tried to keep it lubricated, I’ve tried keeping it really dry. Dry worked longer than lubrication. But it still seems to happen after a while. Anybody have any ideas?[/QUOTE]
After I rinse it out and dry it, I lubricate the rubber part with olive oil and slide it up and down in the tube a few times. That seems to keep the rubber from sticking, swelling, or whatever it does to elicit all that cussing when you wind up wearing the Doxycycline/Naquasone soup. :lol:
Source for Syringe Lubricant
Valleyvet.com sells syringe lubricant http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=30e07abb-7b6a-11d5-a192-00b0d0204ae5
It’s a food-grade liquid silicone lubricant, suitable for oral dosing syringes. I’ve been using a syringe similar to this for $2.29: http://www.horse.com/item/suregrip-syringe-60cc/E001504/ daily for a couple years, and it still works like new. Here’s a tip if you use the cap that often comes with these syringes: Put a blob of hot-melt glue on the end of the cap, to give you a place to tie a string. Tie the other end of the string to the barrel of the syringe. That way, you won’t forget to remove the cap, and accidentally shoot the cap down a horse’s throat!
So, can you take those dosing syringes apart - like giving SMZs, I put them in the syringe/fill with water/ shake and dispense?
I also use thoroughly cleaned wormer syringes. They have a plastic tip that doesn’t swell or stick. I leave water in my big dose syringes and have them last longer. Certain meds really mess up the rubber plunger ends.
how about extra virgen coconut oil?
Yes I was wondering if using extra virgen coconut oil would be safe or safer to lube syringes as opposed to corn oil. Thanks in advance.
[QUOTE=anonUser4.0;8797712]
Yes I was wondering if using extra virgen coconut oil would be safe or safer to lube syringes as opposed to corn oil. Thanks in advance.[/QUOTE]
That is a real zombie thread.
Whatever you use, remember to clean it well before you put whatever you have to put in there.
Some medications may not do well if contaminated with oils of any kind.
Better just use single use, disposable syringes for most medications, unless your vet approves repeat uses.
[QUOTE=anonUser4.0;8797712]
Yes I was wondering if using extra virgen coconut oil would be safe or safer to lube syringes as opposed to corn oil. Thanks in advance.[/QUOTE]
Did you forget your spam link?
[QUOTE=Laurierace;8797745]
Did you forget your spam link?[/QUOTE]
I think is a more evolved spambot.
