Lancing Device Help

S

salmonlover

Member Since 2026
Hi! I'm a couple of weeks new to testing and giving insulin. My cat can handle the insulin syringe fine, but he hates the blood testing on the ear. I've tried morning and night to get blood and have missed more tests than achieved. The first time I tried freehand with the lancet, I accidentally poked through his ear. I think that got us off to a bad start. Now after two tries, he starts swatting at me. I have three lancing device (Relion, AlphaTrak, CareTouch). The CareTouch worked the first time and never worked again. I am using a little heating pad up against his ear beforehand. I either get him to bleed not at all or too much. Every time we do it, he flinches like it hurts him. I really hate the sensation of freehanding, and I would prefer to use a lancing device. The first time I used the CareTouch, it worked amazing! I have not been able to duplicate it. The other two lancing devices are not working either. I've watched videos online and it looks super straightforward, but I feel very stupid. It is like the lancet is not coming out far enough to actually poke him? Nothing happens when I use any of the three. I am aiming for the "sweet spot". I tried them on my finger, on the highest setting, and no blood came either. Any feedback would be IMMENSELY appreciated!!! Thank you!
 
Hometesting Links and Tips

Too much blood is better than not enough IMO. Get what you need onto the test strip and hold a tissue to the ear to stop the bleeding. Adjust the microwave time and hold the sock to the ear for less time. Adjust the depth setting if the device has one. Start with the lowest one and work your way up. If the device has a clear cap option (sometimes called an "alternative site cap"), use that so you can see where you are poking. It's very easy to poke just off to the side of the ear and get nothing but air.

Make sure the lancet is in correctly. Sometimes it looks like it's in and the device will click but it doesn't actually trigger the lancet.

Some cats flinch because the click noise startles them, not necessarily because the lancet hurts.

You need to press the lancet device firmly against the ear. Hold the sock under the ear so you have a firm surface to press the device against and keep your fingers safe. I press the sock up while pressing down on the other side with the device to get a good poke.
 
I’ve had a similar experience with the lancing devices. Like for whatever reason I can’t get the setting right, so we freehand. I’m probably the exception but I never fussed with the sock or heating pad. I feel like I’ve only got a small window where he’ll sit well.

How do you position him? And making sure to use the pointier side of the lancet?
 
Here are a couple of photos on how to hold your cats head a a small flashlight I use that I place in my mouth while the strip is in the monitor, lancet in hand, an after test low carb treat can associate your cat to testing, he will be delighted, also take a small sock fill the end with rice to make a golf like ball tie it, cup the ear while you hold with the back of palm of your hand lightly between the ears, that will hold the head firm within a week or two the capillaries will swell, and it will be easy to draw blood, never loose hold of the center of the head till you get the droplet of blood
 

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Thank you so much for all of your advice! The problem was the lancet was not pushed in all the way to the lancing device. I really appreciate your help!
 
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