diff --git a/lib/statsd.rb b/lib/statsd.rb
index 1fc05ee..77af655 100644
--- a/lib/statsd.rb
+++ b/lib/statsd.rb
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ def decrement(stat, sample_rate=1)
   # @param [Integer] count count
   # @param [Numeric] sample_rate sample rate, 1 for always
   def count(stat, count, sample_rate=1)
-    send_stats stat, count, 'c', sample_rate
+    send_stats stat, count, :c, sample_rate
   end
 
   # Sends an arbitary gauge value for the given stat to the statsd server.
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ def count(stat, count, sample_rate=1)
   # @example Report the current user count:
   #   $statsd.gauge('user.count', User.count)
   def gauge(stat, value, sample_rate=1)
-    send_stats stat, value, 'g', sample_rate
+    send_stats stat, value, :g, sample_rate
   end
 
   # Sends a timing (in ms) for the given stat to the statsd server. The
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ def gauge(stat, value, sample_rate=1)
   # @param [Integer] ms timing in milliseconds
   # @param [Numeric] sample_rate sample rate, 1 for always
   def timing(stat, ms, sample_rate=1)
-    send_stats stat, ms, 'ms', sample_rate
+    send_stats stat, ms, :ms, sample_rate
   end
 
   # Reports execution time of the provided block using {#timing}.