Ear, lip, or paw: where do people prick?

What you might see at home

One ear works for a month and then he starts flinching. The lip is easier if someone helps. A video shows the paw, but your vet showed you something else.

If you want to try a different spot, ask your vet first so you don't end up with a sore one.

What to write down for the vet

• Which spot you were shown.
• Which spot you're actually using.
• Bruising, if he's become head-shy, or if he hides.
• Whether you need a second person every time.

What to take with you

Take the meter if your vet offered to watch you do it. If the real problem is that he's scared, see the hates-testing page.

I can't get enough blood. Any tips?

It's stressful when you prick and nothing useful comes out, especially with a dog who's had enough. Ask for another lesson instead of pricking again and again. Bring your own kit and ask the vet to go through the meter instructions, how much blood the strip needs, and where and how you're sampling. Tell them if your dog is scared or anyone might get bitten.

Follow what the meter's error message says instead of adding more blood or squeezing harder. If testing just isn't working, agree another way of monitoring with your vet. If your dog is unwell, get help first. The test can wait.

Which lancets or lancing device work best?

Ask your vet which lancets and lancing device go with your meter and the way they've taught you to sample. Your vet can also set the needle size and depth. Take your actual kit in and explain what's hard.

If the drops keep coming out too small or your dog is getting scared of testing, ask the vet to watch you do it. Put used lancets in a sharps container and ask your vet how to get rid of them safely in your area.