Changing Vets: A Pet Medical Records Transfer Checklist

Changing clinics is an information handoff, not just a new appointment. Your new veterinarian needs the clinical history alongside your own account of life at home.

Request records from the previous practice

Ask for relevant clinical notes, laboratory results, imaging reports, vaccination entries and current treatment instructions. Ask how images and specialist reports will be transferred; they may not all be in one PDF. Give the new practice’s verified contact details.

Confirm permission and timing

Ask both practices what authorisation they require and when the transfer should arrive. The UK’s RCVS guidance discusses providing relevant records and consent when personal data is shared; procedures and rights elsewhere depend on local rules. Do not assume the same form works in every country.

Add a short owner summary

Write the current concern, active treatments, observations and unresolved questions. Identify uncertain dates as uncertain. For example: “Blood test performed in June; exact date awaiting the clinic’s report.” Do not replace a missing result with a number from memory.

Use PokiPaw as a supporting organiser

Review your pet’s medical history and medication entries, and export the relevant PDF if helpful. Keep original clinic reports with their source and date. Your owner-maintained report complements the clinical file; it does not recreate records the old practice has not supplied.

Before sending, check the pet selected and remove unrelated information. Use the receiving clinic’s preferred private channel rather than a public link.

Check receipt before the visit

Ask the new clinic whether the files arrived and whether anything is missing. Bring a local copy for the appointment. If care is urgent, call immediately rather than waiting to finish the transfer.

What if I change clinics during treatment? Ask the receiving veterinarian how to maintain continuity and clarify who will answer treatment questions during the handoff.

Related guides

• Vet Visit Checklist: Prepare Pet Records with PokiPaw
• Microchip Registry, Health Booklet or App: Which Does What?

Sources checked on 5 October 2026: RCVS (UK).

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