Without proper documentation, you may not remember your dog’s vaccination record, potentially exposing them to health risks. “I lost my dog’s vaccination records” is something I hear quite often, which is why we prioritize securing patient records at my clinic. If you’ve lost your dog’s vaccination history, I can tell you how to get it back.
How to Retrieve Your Dog’s Medical Records
You can directly visit your vet clinic and request a physical or digital copy of your pet’s medical history. Alternatively, you can also request them to send the pet records through mail or fax. Meanwhile, you can also check for their medical records at the animal shelter or shop where you adopted or bought your dog.
Dr. Alcorn has been leading a team of efficient veterinary staff since the early 1990s. Since then, the clinic has saved and organized several patient records that pet owners can request. This guide shares the different ways to get your pet’s medical records.
| Method | Actions to Take |
|---|---|
| Ask for a printed copy | Call or visit your pet’s regular veterinary clinic and request a printed copy of their medical records. |
| Secure a digital copy | Inquire if the clinic can send you a digital copy of the records via email or a secure online portal. |
| Get the records through fax or mail | Ask the clinic to send the records through mail or fax, especially for senior pet owners who don’t have email access. |
| Call the pet shop or animal shelter | Contact the facility where you adopted or bought your pet and ask for their records. |
If your dog is a patient of mine, you can simply call us and we can email, fax, print, or email your dog’s vaccine and medical record to you. Most vet clinics and shelters maintain documentation about the animals they’ve treated. In today’s digital age, accessing a dog’s immunization records is fairly easy using different methods.
1. Visit Your Veterinary Clinic
When you need to obtain your dog’s vaccine records, the first step you should take is visit your veterinarian’s clinic in person. Most clinics will have no problem providing documents for your pet. Ask the clinic for protocols if you have particular requests, like needing your vet’s signature for legal matters.
Some clinics may require a small fee. Others may make you wait for a few days to get the document.
2. Request for a Digital Copy
Another way to secure a dog’s medical records is to request an online copy. If your pet’s old vet clinic is in another state or you just don’t have the time to go to their current clinic, you can request the clinic to send a digital copy to your email.
3. Get The Records Through Mail or Fax
Is your new veterinarian requesting your dog’s vaccine documentation? You could ask your pet’s old vet clinic to send the records by mail or fax.
Some clinics prefer this method to relay information directly, especially for vital medical documents necessary for life-saving pet surgeries. This is also a good option for senior pet owners who may not have email addresses.
4. Check With the Animal Shelter or Pet Shop
Have you adopted your dog from a pet shop or local animal shelter? Most shelters and shops keep records of vaccinations and treatments done to animals.
There are local legal mandates about rabies vaccination for shelters and pet shops. Call the shop or shelter where your dog came from and request them to provide information about the records.
What Should Be Included in a Pet’s Medical Records?
Have you lost your dog’s vet card or health record? You can get a copy of the documents by visiting the clinic, pet shop, or animal shelter where your dog came from. You may also get the files sent by post, email, or fax.
These are some basic details your pet’s records should include:
- Basic information such as name, breed, age, date of birth, and weight
- Owner’s contact details
- Microchip number
- Complete vaccination history with dates, from annual vaccinations to booster shots
- Notes on allergies and side effects from vaccines
- Treatments, if applicable
- Latest bloodwork and other tests
- Pet insurance details
- Dates and reasons for other vet visits, including routine check-ups and emergency consultations
Why Do You Need to Get a Pet’s Medical History?
Whether you have a cat, dog, or other type of pet, there are many reasons why you should have your pet’s immunization and medical records through the vet clinic, pet shop, or animal shelter.
- Monitor your dog’s health: The easiest way to track your dog’s health is to keep a record of their medical history, which is necessary for emergency services and treatments.
- Sell, adopt, or rehome dogs: Suppose you’re a breeder or you want to rehome your dog, you’ll need to provide proof of the breed, examinations, and vaccinations to successfully sell the dog or get them adopted in a new home.
- Access to pet care services: Most dog training facilities, daycare centers, boarding kennels, and grooming salons will require proof of up-to-date vaccinations.
- Change veterinarian: Most vet clinics, including mine, will need your pet’s immunization documentation from its previous vet to continue their care plan. This helps vets check the progress of your pet’s vaccinations and figure out the right thing to do from there.
- Process pet insurance claims: Pet insurance companies require a pet’s medical records to process claims. The health records help them confirm pre-existing conditions and whether the necessary procedure is covered under your policy.
- Follow legal matters: An updated record proves that your dog has been vaccinated against rabies, which is vital evidence in dog bite incidents. Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have strict vaccination requirements for dogs coming from other countries, and you need a record to prove it.
Related Questions
How to Safely Store a Pet’s Medical Records?
You may use Cloud services or animal health apps to store medical records, track appointments, and secure remote backup. Prepare physical documents in a fireproof storage, emergency bag, or your pet’s travel kit to access them quickly in case of an emergency.
Can You Check if a Dog Has Been Vaccinated?
Veterinarians can check if a dog has been vaccinated by reviewing the pet’s medical records. When there are no medical records, a vet can conduct tests to detect the presence of antibodies against specific diseases.
What if I Don’t Know if My Dog Has Been Vaccinated?
The best way to know if a dog has been vaccinated is to obtain medical records, especially the immunization record. I can also do tests to check for antibodies as proof that a dog has been previously vaccinated. Securing a vaccine record is highly recommended to avoid getting your dog vaccinated twice.
Do Dogs Really Need Vaccines Every Year?
While some vaccines for dogs require annual boosters, the frequency can vary depending on the specific vaccine and the veterinarian’s recommendations based on the pet’s age, health status, and risk factors. Some immunizations don’t need to be administered annually, as some shots provide long-lasting immunity.
Conclusion
Knowing how to retrieve your dog’s medical records makes it easier to plan for your pet’s health and wellness. You can retrieve records by putting in a request at the vet clinic, the pet shop, or the animal shelter where you got your dog from. If you decide to switch vets and bring your pet to me, my clinic will keep a copy of your pet’s vaccine plan and medical history.