When you move or change vets, ask your old clinic to send your dog's full medical records to the new one before the first visit. Most US states and Canadian provinces need your permission for this, according to VCA Animal Hospitals. Ask for the full records, not just invoices, because invoices leave out exam findings and test results. Your new vet will want the vaccine history with dates and product details, the rabies certificate, past illnesses, surgeries and tests, any reactions to vaccines or drugs, and a list of current medicines and parasite prevention. Keep your own copy too, in one place.

VISUAL GUIDE

What your new vet needs

Chart titled What your new vet needs. Send the records before the first visit and bring what is still missing on the day. The records, ask your old vet for these: vaccines with date, name, maker and lot number; rabies certificate; past illnesses, surgeries and test results; vaccine or drug reactions; microchip number. On the day, bring these with you: a list of medicines with dose and how often; parasite prevention you use; a fresh stool sample if asked; your questions. Getting records from your old vet: call or write to the old clinic, give permission to send them, ask for full records not only invoices, have them sent before the visit, keep your own copy.
  1. Records: vaccines, rabies certificate, illnesses, tests, reactions
  2. On the day: medicines list, parasite prevention, stool sample if asked
  3. Ask for full records, not only invoices
  4. Keep your own copy in one place
Based on WSAVA, the AVMA, Cornell University and VCA Animal Hospitals.

The quick guide

01

Vaccine history with product details

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) says each vaccine record should show the date, who gave it, the vaccine name, lot or serial number, expiry date and maker, and where on the body it was given.

02

Rabies certificate

Cornell University's animal hospital asks new patients for proof of the rabies vaccine. In the Philippines, the Anti-Rabies Act (RA 9482) requires owners to keep a registration card showing all their dog's vaccinations.

03

Past illnesses, surgeries and test results

VCA says weight, muscle condition and bloodwork trends over time give a new vet useful clues. Cornell asks for medical records and any recent test results.

04

Allergies and reactions

VCA lists drug and food allergies, vaccine reactions, and any bad reactions to anesthesia or sedatives. This helps a vet choose drugs and doses safely.

05

Current medicines and parasite prevention

VCA and Cornell both ask for a list of current medicines. The AVMA suggests writing down the drug name, dose and how often it is given.

06

Microchip number

The AVMA lists it among the records owners should keep a copy of.

Before the first visit

  1. Call or email your old clinic and ask them to send your dog's full medical records to the new clinic. Give written permission if they ask.
  2. Ask them to send the records before the appointment, as VCA suggests, and ask for a copy for yourself.
  3. Write down every medicine and parasite treatment your dog takes, with the dose and how often.
  4. Ask the new clinic if they want a stool sample. VCA asks for one collected within 6 hours of the visit, or 24 hours if refrigerated.
  5. Copy the dates onto our free printable dog health record, which has space for vaccines, parasite prevention and medicines.

How to get your dog's medical records from your old vet

  1. Ask the old clinic. A phone call or email is usually enough. California's veterinary board suggests making the request in writing.
  2. Give permission. VCA says most US states and Canadian provinces require the owner's permission before records are shared with another clinic.
  3. Or ask the new clinic to request them. VCA says your new vet may be able to request the records for you.
  4. Ask for the full file. Not only invoices or a vaccine list.
  5. Time it. Ask for them well before the first appointment.

Can a vet refuse to give you the records?

Rules depend on where you live. Some US examples:

  1. Texas: the vet must provide a copy within 15 business days, and no later than 30 calendar days. Records may not be withheld because of an unpaid bill, though the vet may wait for the copying fee in a non-emergency.
  2. Florida: copies must be given in a timely manner, cannot depend on paying for past services, and the fee is limited to the actual cost of copying.
  3. California: the board's FAQ says the vet must provide at least a summary of the record, within a reasonable time. Records must be kept for 3 years after the last visit.

In the Philippines, we found no law or rule on giving records to owners. Ask your clinic directly, and keep your own copies, including the rabies registration card that RA 9482 requires you to keep.

What to bring to the first visit with a new vet

  1. Your dog's medical records and vaccine records, if the clinic does not have them yet (Cornell).
  2. A list of current medicines, including parasite prevention (VCA).
  3. A fresh stool sample, if the clinic asks for one.
  4. Any records you keep at home, like a food diary or notes on symptoms. VCA says these help too.

The AVMA's short video shows what happens at a check-up and what the vet will ask about.

American Veterinary Medical Association on YouTubeOpen on YouTube ↗

Keep one health record you control

Clinics close, move and change systems, so keep your own copy. Put everything in one place: vaccines on one page, and parasite prevention and medicines on the next. Our free printable record does exactly that, and you can save the dates to your dog's Dog Care Wiki profile at the same time.

Get the free printable dog health record, or see our dog vaccination schedule by country.

Common questions

How do I get my dog's medical records?

Ask the clinic that treated your dog, by phone or in writing, and give permission for them to send the records to your new vet. Ask for the full file and a copy for yourself.

Can my new vet request the records for me?

Often, yes. VCA says your new vet may be able to request them, with your permission.

Can a vet keep my dog's records if I owe money?

It depends on where you live. In Texas, records may not be withheld because of an unpaid bill, and in Florida, copies cannot depend on paying for past services.

How long do vets keep records?

It varies. California requires 3 years after the last visit. In the Philippines we found no set rule, so keep your own copy.

What does a new vet need to know about my dog?

The vaccine history with dates and product details, the rabies certificate, past illnesses, surgeries and test results, any allergies or reactions, and current medicines and parasite prevention.

What should I bring to my dog's first vet visit?

The records if the clinic does not have them, a list of medicines and parasite prevention, a fresh stool sample if asked, and your questions.

Veterinary sources

Medical note: This guide is educational and cannot diagnose your dog. A veterinarian who can examine your dog is the right person to give medical advice.