The ears aren't as fragile as you might think. I got lucky with two very patient sugar cats but the second was at best fidgety and sometimes very nervous. To top that off getting blood from his right ear was hopeless. It was always just that one spot in the same ear day after day and if he'd flinch it looked like I just shredded his ear but looks are deceiving. I squeezed a warm damp paper towel over that ear after every test, something he liked and 12 hours later he was ready again. No wincing, cowering or running into the basement. It's partially because there's so little tissue there that a healthy cat's ears will heal over so quickly and even develop new capillaries. I know it looks awful and painful but it's never as bad as that otherwise they'd be behind the furnace when they see you coming.
Paw pads can be done, I've just never seen it done or known anyone who had to go that route. It may be a small opening in the pad but it's the same pad they walk through a litter box with. Kind of gross to think about.
