Can’t get blood!

Kbwillia

Kbwillia

Member Since 2026
I’m SO frustrated!! I can’t get blood out of his ear!!!!! So I can’t feed him or give his shot!
 
Hometesting Links and Tips

Common reasons for not getting blood:

  • The ear isn't warmed enough. Solution: warm the rice sock a second or two longer and wrap around the edge of the ear and hold in place for a good minute. The sock needs to be toasty warm but no so warm that it will burn your cat's ear.
  • The ear is too floppy. Solution: hold the rice sock inside the ear to provide a firm surface to press the lancet device against.
  • The lancet isn't in the device properly. Solution: carefully eject the lancet and discard and insert a new one.
  • The lancet depth isn't deep enough. Solution: adjust the device to a higher setting.
  • The lancet gauge is too thin. Solution: use a lancet with a thicker gauge like 26 gauge. If your device doesn't use a thicker gauge lancet, you'll need to buy a matching device to go with the new thicker lancets.
  • The hole where the lancet pokes out of is just off to the side of the ear so you're just poking air. Solution: if the device has a clear cap, use that so you can see where you are poking. Otherwise, move the device a little further away from the edge of the ear.
 
Finally! Got it on 4th try! 319. This is so hard. Frustrating! For me & him. He’s so sweet he just lets me keep trying😢
 
Kbwillia said:
Finally! Got it on 4th try! 319. This is so hard. Frustrating! For me & him. He’s so sweet he just lets me keep trying😢
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It's hardest at first. The more you do it, his little ear will get more blood vessels and they'll dilate more. It's not fair that it's hardest at the start! I am so sorry!

Everything @squeem3 said is exactly what worked for us. Warm rice sock and 26 gauge lancets.

Lots of people use the lancing device. I always do it by hand so I can see better. I put a clean cotton round folded in half to support the ear when I poke. Then I use the cotton round to apply gentle pressure stop bleeding and minimize bruising. It's already folded, I just grab his ear with it.

Give him cuddles and treats! Lots of praise. Mine likes to inspect all the instruments. He wants to know what's going on and does not appreciate surprises!

You're doing great!
 
You can also test their toe pads if you are in a pinch. I did it for 7 years and never had an issue.
I've also found that when people use a little flashlight and place it behind the ear to really see that vein, you feel much more comfortable poking. You'll figure it out and your baby knows you are just trying to help right now !
 
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