As a pet parent, you want to be sure your little friend receives the best veterinary care services for his regular health, as well as for any emergencies that may arise. There might be times in your cat’s or dog’s life where an emergency hospital or medical specialist is required, such as during a fall or accident with an automobile, a poisoning, attack by another dog, disease or chronic illness. If this time comes, having your pet’s medical records on hand and up to date can help guarantee he gets the best emergency care possible. As a pet owner, you are entitled to the complete set of records that have been kept on your pet. In most cases, your regular vet can make copies of the records and give them to you without any question.
Are the records complete and up to date?
Your pet’s records should cover all of the medical services he or she has received. This usually includes all of the basics such as general check-ups, spaying or neutering, dental care, annual shots, etc. The records will also cover any surgeries that may have been performed, their description, and the outcome from each. This is usually followed by pages citing what treatment was provided during hospital stays. A history of past or current medications your pet may have used, as well as any known allergies to medications and the dosage that was used. There should also be a section that covers blood tests, ultrasounds and radiographs that may have been performed over your pet’s life. Be sure to check the dates on all of the records to be sure they are current and include the most recent health care provided.
Finding a new vet or specialist
The time may come when you need to find a new vet or visit a specialist. Maybe you moved to a new city, or your finances have changed and you want to find a more affordable vet. Maybe your dog or cat has a disease or illness which cannot be treated by a general vet and needs to be treated by a specialist. Whatever the reason, whether you are changing vets or visiting a specialist, having the complete records of your pet available to give to the new vet is a great way to guarantee your pet gets the best and most effective treatment possible.
