Worried I'm Damaging My Cat's Ears

Hi all, I'm 3 weeks in to treating diabetes with my cat Mochi. Everything is going pretty much okay, but I've been really wrestling with blood glucose testing. I've been through three different lancing devices and a few different lancets. I've also tried free-handing with the lancets. Nothing had been consistent or effective until my vet suggested I try using 25g syringe needles (not sure the correct term). The first week with them went pretty well, but tonight when I went to prick Mochi's ear and he flinched, basically giving an ear piercing while blood splatter everywhere. I'm worried with the larger gauge that is going cause a keloid scar that are typically found with bad piercings. I already noticed he has another lump on the outer side of the opposite ear and one on the inside most likely from previous botched attempt. Any advice is appreciated. Thank you. I'm really stressed out about this. I've watched all the tutorials, I warm the ear and use petroleum jelly.

So, yeah, a 25g syringe needle seems intense and not necessary at all. When I first was pricking my cat's ear it was HARD. What helped me was filling a sock up a bit with rice and warming it up in the microwave for a few seconds and then pressing it against her ear to warm up the area. It went much better after that and I no longer have to do it at all. I know you said you warm it, but I wasn't sure how. It definitely took awhile, so don't get discouraged. The capillaries in the ear actually build up and make collection a lot easier. I think developing keloids is probably unlikely. For a while I was lancing her with the cap off and sometimes I would pierce her ear too. I did this for probably too long and she was ok. She never really stopped flinching either. Sometimes I worry that I'm hurting my cat, but I think it's more of an annoyance thing than anything. Are you giving your cat low carb treats each time so that they can associate the experience positively? I've started giving mine bonita flakes and she LOVES it and knows its her reward.

Snits said:

So, yeah, a 25g syringe needle seems intense and not necessary at all. When I first was pricking my cat's ear it was HARD. What helped me was filling a sock up a bit with rice and warming it up in the microwave for a few seconds and then pressing it against her ear to warm up the area. It went much better after that and I no longer have to do it at all. I know you said you warm it, but I wasn't sure how. It definitely took awhile, so don't get discouraged. The capillaries in the ear actually build up and make collection a lot easier. I think developing keloids is probably unlikely. For a while I was lancing her with the cap off and sometimes I would pierce her ear too. I did this for probably too long and she was ok. She never really stopped flinching either. Sometimes I worry that I'm hurting my cat, but I think it's more of an annoyance thing than anything. Are you giving your cat low carb treats each time so that they can associate the experience positively? I've started giving mine bonita flakes and she LOVES it and knows it’s her reward.

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If she like the treats and she’s cooperating with testing, by all means, are you placing the riced sock to cup the ear to prick it as well? I’m glad is getting easier for you and her , actually it bothers them of course but your not hurting her at all. You’re doing awesome!

Snits said:

So, yeah, a 25g syringe needle seems intense and not necessary at all. When I first was pricking my cat's ear it was HARD. What helped me was filling a sock up a bit with rice and warming it up in the microwave for a few seconds and then pressing it against her ear to warm up the area. It went much better after that and I no longer have to do it at all. I know you said you warm it, but I wasn't sure how. It definitely took awhile, so don't get discouraged. The capillaries in the ear actually build up and make collection a lot easier. I think developing keloids is probably unlikely. For a while I was lancing her with the cap off and sometimes I would pierce her ear too. I did this for probably too long and she was ok. She never really stopped flinching either. Sometimes I worry that I'm hurting my cat, but I think it's more of an annoyance thing than anything. Are you giving your cat low carb treats each time so that they can associate the experience positively? I've started giving mine bonita flakes and she LOVES it and knows its her reward.

Click to expand...

Yes, I do use a sock filled with rice, and I give Fancy Feast Purely Natural Treats after every poke.

The lancing devices have all been extremely frustrating. They don't puncture at a consistent depth—sometimes not enough and I get no blood, sometimes too deep and I pierce the ear. I can never figure out the right amount of pressure to use nor the right depth setting. It would be nice if they just required it be placed on the ear with no pressure whatsoever.

I currently have the ReliOn, Keto Mojo, and Accu-check Softclix. I've tried the lancets included with each of those as well as some generic CVS ones which seemed very dull and didn't work well at all.

The other thing I don't like about the lancing devices is that aiming them is really difficult. Sometimes I clip the end of his ear. Other times I end up puncturing too far inside. With the syringe I can aim pretty easily and they are so sharp it just takes a light poke. But I'm too afraid to try them again now and have another accident like yesterday.

I don't really know where to go from here, I just really hope these 2 lumps he now has on the inside of each ear heal and go away.

Mochi's Subordinate said:

Yes, I do use a sock filled with rice, and I give Fancy Feast Purely Natural Treats after every poke.

The lancing devices have all been extremely frustrating. They don't puncture at a consistent depth—sometimes not enough and I get no blood, sometimes too deep and I pierce the ear. I can never figure out the right amount of pressure to use nor the right depth setting. It would be nice if they just required it be placed on the ear with no pressure whatsoever.

I currently have the ReliOn, Keto Mojo, and Accu-check Softclix. I've tried the lancets included with each of those as well as some generic CVS ones which seemed very dull and didn't work well at all.

The other thing I don't like about the lancing devices is that aiming them is really difficult. Sometimes I clip the end of his ear. Other times I end up puncturing too far inside. With the syringe I can aim pretty easily and they are so sharp it just takes a light poke. But I'm too afraid to try them again now and have another accident like yesterday.

I don't really know where to go from here, I just really hope these 2 lumps he now has on the inside of each ear heal and go away.

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Those lumps are just the capillaries swelling this is good,You will see them all around tge vein you are pinching you’re doing good I’m sending a picture of the sweet spot you should be pinching, find a small flashlight and study the veins closer, I still use it is a small one I put in my mouth bc Corky’s hair is dark and I can’t see the droplet without it, you’ll find your comfort zone, and it gets better

Mochi's Subordinate said:

The other thing I don't like about the lancing devices is that aiming them is really difficult. Sometimes I clip the end of his ear. Other times I end up puncturing too far inside. With the syringe I can aim pretty easily and they are so sharp it just takes a light poke. But I'm too afraid to try them again now and have another accident like yesterday.

Click to expand...

I use the relion lancet device and yes i agree aiming is hard because if you line up the base with the ear it's too far in. You kind of have to put half of it on the ear and then shoot. You said some of them seem dull. Do you have replacement lancets? I try to replace mine daily but I know some people replace theirs each shoot. The lumps seem concerning, but as Corky's owner said, they encourage the capillaries to be easier to get samples from. I know it looks gnarly and scary, I was concerned at first too. Your cat will adjust, as will you! I remember my first week I was so overwhelmed and thought I couldn't possibly do this, but it does get better. It becomes routine. Don't think that the people responding and helping you make it seem so easy and don't understand. I know sometimes it feels like that, but believe me, we all get it. This community is a wealth of knowledge and incredibly empathetic.

It may be that you are getting some residual bleeding which is causing some scabbing. If you hold a cotton round (wrap it to it goes against the top and inside of the ear) and hold gently after testing for several seconds, that may help. Similar to Maria, I found using a light when I was testing made it easier to see where I was poking and the blood drop itself. I preferred using a head lamp which kept both my hands free and I could direct/adjust the light downward and upward if needed. The other thing that may explain some of your troubles with the lancets is which direction the bevel is facing. Lancets, like syringes have a bevel edge, and you want that tilted up. Also, I found if I went in at an angle with the lancet, not straight in (ie. don’t poke 90 degrees downward) that lessened the chance of going through other side. Perhaps I am misunderstanding, but if you are using a lancet device, you should be able to set it to a depth, mine has 1,2,3,4, then push the device in. And when you click the button the device pushes the lancet into the ear. If you don’t like the click function, I would still suggest it is easier to use the lancet in the device freehand vs, trying to hold the small lancet in your fingers and poking. That may be something to try if you haven’t.

You’ve probably read through this post already, but if not, maybe there are a few other tips that will help you. Hometesting Links and Tips

I use the AccuChek Softclix. I have no issues with it but I've been using it for years so I just know where to place it on the ear. I have the depth set to 1 but that works for Leroy. Your cat may need a different depth setting. If you get the ear super warmed up, you might need a lower setting. Hold the rice sock under the ear to provide a firm surface to poke against. Press the device firmly against the ear and sock and then poke. You could remove the end cap so you can see where you are poking.

CORKY said:

Those lumps are just the capillaries swelling this is good,You will see them all around tge vein you are pinching you’re doing good I’m sending a picture of the sweet spot you should be pinching, find a small flashlight and study the veins closer, I still use it is a small one I put in my mouth bc Corky’s hair is dark and I can’t see the droplet without it, you’ll find your comfort zone, and it gets better

Click to expand...

I'll try to get a picture of these "lumps." They're on the inside of the ear, whereas I am pricking the outside of the ear. They look more like blowout you would see in a cartilage piercing. Are you pricking manually then in order to get one of those small capillaries?

Snits said:

I use the relion lancet device and yes i agree aiming is hard because if you line up the base with the ear it's too far in. You kind of have to put half of it on the ear and then shoot. You said some of them seem dull. Do you have replacement lancets? I try to replace mine daily but I know some people replace theirs each shoot. The lumps seem concerning, but as Corky's owner said, they encourage the capillaries to be easier to get samples from. I know it looks gnarly and scary, I was concerned at first too. Your cat will adjust, as will you! I remember my first week I was so overwhelmed and thought I couldn't possibly do this, but it does get better. It becomes routine. Don't think that the people responding and helping you make it seem so easy and don't understand. I know sometimes it feels like that, but believe me, we all get it. This community is a wealth of knowledge and incredibly empathetic.

Click to expand...

I use a new lancet every time. I have to aim pretty quickly, because I only have a second after placing the lancing device against his ear before he starts trying to move. Manually, I can kind of hover the lancet or needle above to aim it then do a quick poke. I've been doing this for almost 3 weeks now. I figured I'd get the hang of it by now. But his ears look a mess, and we both dread it every time now.

Christie & Maverick said:

It may be that you are getting some residual bleeding which is causing some scabbing. If you hold a cotton round (wrap it to it goes against the top and inside of the ear) and hold gently after testing for several seconds, that may help. Similar to Maria, I found using a light when I was testing made it easier to see where I was poking and the blood drop itself. I preferred using a head lamp which kept both my hands free and I could direct/adjust the light downward and upward if needed. The other thing that may explain some of your troubles with the lancets is which direction the bevel is facing. Lancets, like syringes have a bevel edge, and you want that tilted up. Also, I found if I went in at an angle with the lancet, not straight in (ie. don’t poke 90 degrees downward) that lessened the chance of going through other side. Perhaps I am misunderstanding, but if you are using a lancet device, you should be able to set it to a depth, mine has 1,2,3,4, then push the device in. And when you click the button the device pushes the lancet into the ear. If you don’t like the click function, I would still suggest it is easier to use the lancet in the device freehand vs, trying to hold the small lancet in your fingers and poking. That may be something to try if you haven’t.

You’ve probably read through this post already, but if not, maybe there are a few other tips that will help you. Hometesting Links and Tips

Click to expand...

I've been holding a cotton pad to his ear and counting to 20 every time to try and prevent bruising. It has worked and it also hasn't. When I freehand I have been going at an angle. It's just the recent mishap, he flinched brought his head toward me which shoved the needle deeper into him. I had been pretty successful the previous 6 or 7 pokes before that with that method, but now I'm too nervous to use the needles anymore. I went back to the 28g SoftClix lancets today in the device, and it took 3 tries to barely get enough blood for a glucose reading. I think I'll try freehanding them again tomorrow. I have tried pretty much every combination, so far—3 lancing devices, 28-30g lancets, holding the lancets manually, using the lancets manually inside the device, and the 25g needles.

squeem3 said:

I use the AccuChek Softclix. I have no issues with it but I've been using it for years so I just know where to place it on the ear. I have the depth set to 1 but that works for Leroy. Your cat may need a different depth setting. If you get the ear super warmed up, you might need a lower setting. Hold the rice sock under the ear to provide a firm surface to poke against. Press the device firmly against the ear and sock and then poke. You could remove the end cap so you can see where you are poking.

Click to expand...

I can't seem to get the right depth on any of lancing devices. Tonight I tried the Softclix again. Tried it on 3 start; didn't get any blood. Tried on 4; barely got any. Not enough for a reading. Then I tried it 5 and got just barely enough for a reading. But when I removed the cotton pad from his hear, I noticed blood on the side that was covering the inside of his ear, so I think I pierced through yet again. It seems the only way to get a proper sample with the pens is to puncture completely through his ear for some reason.

Is the lancet in correctly? Try warming up the ear really, really well to get the blood flowing. Try another second or two in the microwave and wrap it around the edge of the ear and firmly hold in place. The sock needs to be warm but not too warm that it's too uncomfortable for your cat (your cat will flinch and flatten the ear). Barely warm won't help. I just use the sock instead of a cotton pad. It's firmer to poke the device against.

How big is the sock? Smaller is better and warms up more quickly. Less filling helps too.

Also try all along the edge of the ear. There has to be one spot that will work. And try the other ear. Some cats only have one ear that will bleed easily.

Don’t worry this is Corky’s ear is as you described, at first it swells bumpy, than the vein relaxes as it gets used to the needle, I have used the same ear going at 4 years, I have never been able to get blood from the right

Mochi's Subordinate said:

I'll try to get a picture of these "lumps." They're on the inside of the ear, whereas I am pricking the outside of the ear. They look more like blowout you would see in a cartilage piercing. Are you pricking manually then in order to get one of those small capillaries?


I use a new lancet every time. I have to aim pretty quickly, because I only have a second after placing the lancing device against his ear before he starts trying to move. Manually, I can kind of hover the lancet or needle above to aim it then do a quick poke. I've been doing this for almost 3 weeks now. I figured I'd get the hang of it by now. But his ears look a mess, and we both dread it every time now.


I've been holding a cotton pad to his ear and counting to 20 every time to try and prevent bruising. It has worked and it also hasn't. When I freehand I have been going at an angle. It's just the recent mishap, he flinched brought his head toward me which shoved the needle deeper into him. I had been pretty successful the previous 6 or 7 pokes before that with that method, but now I'm too nervous to use the needles anymore. I went back to the 28g SoftClix lancets today in the device, and it took 3 tries to barely get enough blood for a glucose reading. I think I'll try freehanding them again tomorrow. I have tried pretty much every combination, so far—3 lancing devices, 28-30g lancets, holding the lancets manually, using the lancets manually inside the device, and the 25g needles.


I can't seem to get the right depth on any of lancing devices. Tonight I tried the Softclix again. Tried it on 3 start; didn't get any blood. Tried on 4; barely got any. Not enough for a reading. Then I tried it 5 and got just barely enough for a reading. But when I removed the cotton pad from his hear, I noticed blood on the side that was covering the inside of his ear, so I think I pierced through yet again. It seems the only way to get a proper sample with the pens is to puncture completely through his ear for some reason.

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also make sure you are holding the head gently but firmly between the ears when inserting the needle since you continue to go thru the ear, if he suddenly moves you can tear the ear

Today was a disaster again. I decided to try freehanding the 28g SoftClix lancets with the pen. He still managed to flinch and get out of my grip, causing him to bleed really badly. I got my readings at least, but I had to hold pressure on his ear for at least a minute. I don't how extensive the damage was. I couldn't tell if I just hit a vein, pierced through, or scratched him. He's been hiding from me now. I'm sure he can't understand why I keep hurting him every day. I honestly wish I could just quit, but I can't.

I'm completely finished trying to freehand any type of lancet now. He's just too powerful when we moves and slips out of my grip. I only have one hand to hold onto his head and I have to use that to hold his hear steady and keep him from folding it up against his head. Then I have to hold his body still between my knees or he'll make a run for it. I didn't have to hold him so tight in the beginning, but now I've traumatized him so much it's become a lot more difficult.

I kneel on the floor and tuck my cat in between my legs to test him. Right now I only have one and a half functioning arms so testing is a bit tricky but I manage.

Reward your cat with treats during the testing process so he learns to associate testing with something positive. Even if the test is not successful, give a treat.

Have you tried a paw pad? Some people test from a large pad instead of an ear.

Consider a CGM meter if ear testing is not doable. You do need to know how to test from an ear or paw pad in case the CGM falls off of malfunctions. Here's info on CGMs: Getting Started With Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) for Diabetic Cats

squeem3 said:

I kneel on the floor and tuck my cat in between my legs to test him. Right now I only have one and a half functioning arms so testing is a bit tricky but I manage.

Reward your cat with treats during the testing process so he learns to associate testing with something positive. Even if the test is not successful, give a treat.

Have you tried a paw pad? Some people test from a large pad instead of an ear.

Consider a CGM meter if ear testing is not doable. You do need to know how to test from an ear or paw pad in case the CGM falls off of malfunctions. Here's info on CGMs: Getting Started With Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) for Diabetic Cats

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Okay it's a new day, and I'm feeling less dejected.

I have not tried a paw pad yet. I'm pretty sure I'll get slashed if I try there. I've been holding him as you described—I sit on my knees with his backside between them, hold his ear with my left hand, and poke with my right. I've tried kind of holding his head still between my elbows, but haven't been able to keep it still.

I'm just going to have to figure out the lancing device. I've been giving him treats even when unsuccessful, but I run out quickly since only 10 come in a pack. These low-carb treats are not exactly economical. I feed him many small meals throughout the day, so I might try to doing mock-lancets (with the device but no lancet) before every feeding. Maybe that will desensitize him and he won't associate it with pain anymore and keep his head still.

An option you might want to consider the Libre monitor and sensor, a sensor is placed on Monchi's back by shaving some fur, the sensor last about 14 days, it continues to read the BG thru the iPhone a, no pinching is necessary, you can get a prescription from your Vet, he can send it to a Walmart pharmacy or any other of your choice, for many sensors to purchase, the sensors are expensive, I used it when Corky he was first diagnosed there was only the sensor that was used with a monitor, but now they are more advanced with the iPhone, but is also good to have the hand monitor as well since the sensor tends to read low number lower than they actually are below there's a link on this device, before you make that decision
Getting Started With Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) for Diabetic Cats

You can buy a box of like 100 lancets from a pharmacy or any place online. A box of 100 Softclix is around $11 on Amazon. But if they don't work for you, no point in buying them. There has to be a lancet that will work on your cat.

I have my right hand warming up the ear with the rice sock and my left arm across his chest and scratching him. Then I need the left hand to hold the rice sock under the ear while I poke with the lancet device with the right hand.

If you buy 100% freeze dried treats meant for dogs that will last a lot longer than a cat sized bag. Break the treats up into smaller pieces if needed.

So yesterday went a lot better. I applied much more pressure with the lancing pen. I'm not sure if I got lucky or not, but managed to get a lot of blood without puncturing through the ear.

I'm still worried about the lump on the inside of his ear, but he shows no other signs of trauma from any of the other major mishaps we have had. I feel a bit of confidence because of this. I was really distraught he was going to have some major scarring. I know they generally don't have issues with that, but it seemed I really punctured him bad with those 25g needles.

He still fights me now, when he was calm before, but I'm hoping I can slowly regain his trust in the process.

Congratulation, see confidence is showing already could you post a picture if you can of that ear you say there’s a lump, although I can tell you the ear tip heals quite well, there might be a small blood clot maybe, I’m just guessing, the picture I posted, is from 4 years of testing tge same year dont worry too much you already are a step ahead on getting that blood

CORKY said:

Congratulation, see confidence is showing already could you post a picture if you can of that ear you say there’s a lump, although I can tell you the ear tip heals quite well, there might be a small blood clot maybe, I’m just guessing, the picture I posted, is from 4 years of testing tge same year dont worry too much you already are a step ahead on getting that blood

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I've been trying to get a photo of it, but he's very good at taking blurry pictures . I'm going to have to pull out my studio lights just for a quick snap. But it looks like a little hard lump, not like swelling. It's not red or irritated looking either, and it's on the side of the ear the needle would have exited rather than the puncture side. I'll get my lights out and get a photo later when he's done napping.

You can try a bit of Vaseline and softly rub on it during the day, by the description it sounds like a tiny blood clot, by rubbing it in a circular motion it should dissolve, at the begging it happened to Corky as well a bit of blood clustered in the vein

Firm pressure is key along with a toasty warm sock. I apply pressure on the device and also on the rice sock. Basically the ear is squashed firmly between the sock and the device.