I asked this on some of my groups before, but no one ever responded, aside from "I have my vet do it", etc. I need to start doing Indy's blood sugar test myself -- the vet charges $20 every time he does it. I have a monitor, the strips, everything (I'm diabetic, and have an extra monitor designated for ferts). I have simply been unable to get a sample successfully. I really need some help here, folks. I KNOW I'm not the only one with an insulinomic ferret. Here is how I try to do it: FIRST thing -- I put Ferretone on his tummy, put the test strip in the monitor, etc. 1. swab the foot pad with alcohol 2. put a little Vaseline on the foot pad 3. Use the lancet to draw a blood sample 4. touch the sample to the strip My problem is that I can't get a big enough sample. If I squeeze his toe to get a bigger drop, he goes nuts on me. If I try to get a second sample, he goes nuts. I'm disabled & just can't hold him very well as it is. Trying to hold him, keep him from struggling too much, play around with the test strip & monitor & lancet, and get the sample to the strip is nearly impossible.' Help! -- /\_/\ (>"<) (")_(").:*¬¬*:.ERI.:*¬¬*:. [Posted in FML 6521]