Rachels Kiska
Member Since 2026
My kitty Kiska has recently been diagnosed with Diabetes as a result of long term steroids prescribed for allergies. She’s 13 and was diagnosed 4 weeks ago).
She currently has nerve damage in front left paw (knuckling) and suspected nerve damage in back legs (weak and although have mobility suspected sensory damage).
She is on 1.5mmol caninsulin after meals at the moment.
I have a major problem getting blood from Kiska for reading of glucose levels. Her ears just won’t bleed!
I’ve watched dozens of videos, warmed her ears for 5 mins with a wheat bag, pricked her ears a dozen times (bleeding myself a couple of times through her ears!) all around the “sweet spot” and cannot get more than a tiny bead of blood which I’ve achieved only once or twice. Not enough for a reading. Even the vet can’t get blood out of her ears.
She also won’t let me get to her paws, I’ve managed a couple of times but they are also very hard to bleed and she won’t stop fighting despite all cuddles and treats. She’s good natured so not biting of scratching, just insane amounts of wriggling and conscious it’s not a long term solution.
Tried a continuous blood glucose meter but was constantly saying she was over 22.1mmol which she was showing no signs of in behaviour or physically. Obviously you are supposed to check against a blood test which I can’t get from her! Took her to the vets after 24 hours just in case and they said their first reading on her was 8.3mmol before went up to 17.3mmol which would be normal from being at vets and traumatised by being bled (from the vein).
I am not squeamish, I’ve injected myself many times when going through ivf, I just can’t get blood out of my adored but wriggly ear bloodless cat!
I cannot believe I am the only one that’s ever experienced this and just wanted to see if anyone has advice or suggestions on how to cope.
She currently has nerve damage in front left paw (knuckling) and suspected nerve damage in back legs (weak and although have mobility suspected sensory damage).
She is on 1.5mmol caninsulin after meals at the moment.
I have a major problem getting blood from Kiska for reading of glucose levels. Her ears just won’t bleed!
I’ve watched dozens of videos, warmed her ears for 5 mins with a wheat bag, pricked her ears a dozen times (bleeding myself a couple of times through her ears!) all around the “sweet spot” and cannot get more than a tiny bead of blood which I’ve achieved only once or twice. Not enough for a reading. Even the vet can’t get blood out of her ears.
She also won’t let me get to her paws, I’ve managed a couple of times but they are also very hard to bleed and she won’t stop fighting despite all cuddles and treats. She’s good natured so not biting of scratching, just insane amounts of wriggling and conscious it’s not a long term solution.
Tried a continuous blood glucose meter but was constantly saying she was over 22.1mmol which she was showing no signs of in behaviour or physically. Obviously you are supposed to check against a blood test which I can’t get from her! Took her to the vets after 24 hours just in case and they said their first reading on her was 8.3mmol before went up to 17.3mmol which would be normal from being at vets and traumatised by being bled (from the vein).
I am not squeamish, I’ve injected myself many times when going through ivf, I just can’t get blood out of my adored but wriggly ear bloodless cat!
I cannot believe I am the only one that’s ever experienced this and just wanted to see if anyone has advice or suggestions on how to cope.
