Denise Hurst
Member Since 2019
Moonie's ears will not bleed. What am I going to do to test him?
Can't get Moonie to bleed
- Thread starter Denise Hurst
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SullivansDad
Member Since 2020
Keep trying! It took many days of trying to get my cat's ear to bleed, but now it does so easily. The ears really do "learn to bleed". How are you poking? Freehand or with a lancing device? I use Alphatrak2, and I have to have it on the highest setting (5) to get it to poke far enough (I trialed on my own finger, and on the lower settings the lancet didn't even touch it no matter how firmly I pressed it).
Paw pad is another option if your cat will let you go near his feet.
Paw pad is another option if your cat will let you go near his feet.
Deb & Wink
Member Since 2013
Are you warming the ear first? Take a sock, put some rice or dried beans or lentils in the toe, tie a knot in the sock. Heat in microwave for a bit.
Look for lancets where it says "Alternate Site Testing" on the box.
Are you aiming for the "Sweet Spot"?
Testing
We all know the basics:
But did you also know there is a particular way for the lancet to be used? It has one side that is beveled so the sharpest part goes in first, if used correctly.
Look for lancets where it says "Alternate Site Testing" on the box.
Are you aiming for the "Sweet Spot"?
Testing
We all know the basics:
- Warm the ear with a rice sock or a warm washcloth wrapped in a plastic bag.
- Either freehand or use a lancing device; new members usually start with a larger gauge lancet such as 28g or 29g until the ear learns to bleed; then progress to a 31g or 33g which are finer.
- Be sure to poke in the "sweet spot" and not the major vein that runs along the length of the ear. Poking the vein will not only hurt, but will result in a lot of blood. The sweet spot is on the edge of the ear.
But did you also know there is a particular way for the lancet to be used? It has one side that is beveled so the sharpest part goes in first, if used correctly.
Lisa and Witn (GA)
Member Since 2009
Also massaging the ears towards the tips before you test and after you poke also helps.
Jordenne/Barb and Jospeh
Member Since 2020
Don't give up! Keep trying. It took us about a week of trying and wasting countless strips with not enough blood. I thought it was nuts but yeah the ears learn to bleed.
Between my poor jospeh's ears were being punished my poor little man. But we got it down now. Easy poke with the Lancet device. And about 75% the first attempt works.
As other people mentioned. Warm ears help. We did freehand poking for our first successes. I feel this has a high chance of pain and extra damage because it's not a quick jab but it helped us get the ears to start bleeding. I found shining a flashlight behind the ear helped me clearly see the vein and allowed me to aim for the sweet spot with perfection.
Between my poor jospeh's ears were being punished my poor little man. But we got it down now. Easy poke with the Lancet device. And about 75% the first attempt works.
As other people mentioned. Warm ears help. We did freehand poking for our first successes. I feel this has a high chance of pain and extra damage because it's not a quick jab but it helped us get the ears to start bleeding. I found shining a flashlight behind the ear helped me clearly see the vein and allowed me to aim for the sweet spot with perfection.
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