Guide · Vet records
How to move your dog's records when you switch vets
Moving, changing clinics or adopting? Here's how to get the full history to your new vet before the first visit.
Quick answer
Call your old clinic and ask for your dog's complete medical record, not just invoices, sent to your new clinic and to you as a PDF. Clinics usually need your permission to release records, so ask a week or two before the first appointment. Keep your own copy so you never have to ask again.
Step by step
- Call or email the old clinic. Ask for the full medical record. Some clinics have a records-release form. Others take a short email from the owner on file.
- Ask for it sent two ways. Directly to the new clinic's email, and to you as a PDF, so a copy lives with you.
- Give it time. Records can take a few days. Request them when you book the new appointment, not the morning of.
- Check that it's complete. Look for exam notes, lab results and the vaccine history, not only a list of charges.
- Confirm the new clinic has it. Call a day before the visit. If it hasn't arrived, bring your PDF.
What to ask for
An invoice shows what you paid for. It doesn't show what the vet found. Ask for:
- Vaccine history with dates
- Current and past medications
- Exam notes and diagnoses
- Lab work and imaging results
- Allergies and reactions to vaccines or drugs
- How they handled anesthesia or sedation
- Weight history
- Behavior and handling notes
Adopted your dog?
Ask the shelter or rescue for everything they have: intake exam, vaccines, spay or neuter, and microchip details. If a foster family took your dog to a vet, ask the rescue which clinic, then request those records the same way.
New to this? Read our first 30 days checklist.
The easy way
Collect the records once. Hand them to any vet in one link.
Next time you switch clinics, you're the one with the full history. Skip the waiting between offices.
Smart Import found in records.pdf
- Vaccinations 4
- Medications 2
- Vet visits 6
Upload PDFs or phone photos. Review the suggestions, save your review, then apply your selected choices. Your dog's records change only after you confirm.
Care Share
- Send your new clinic a secure link to the vaccine, medication and health sections you choose, plus any allergy notes you add.
- Expires: 24 hours by default
- Revoke anytime: On
No account needed on the clinic's side.
Frequently asked questions
Can my new vet request the records for me?
Often, yes, but the old clinic will usually still need your permission. Asking yourself is the fastest route.
Will the old clinic charge for copies?
Most send electronic records at no charge, but some charge for paper copies or older files. Ask when you call.
My old vet only has paper records. Now what?
Ask them to scan and email the file. If they can only give you paper, photograph each page, and keep the photos with the rest of your dog's records.
Start with your dog
Every record, in one place
Collect the history once, then share it with any vet in one link.
Start your free trial
Start your free trial$7.99/month after a 14-day free trial. Renews automatically until you cancel.
This guide is general information, not veterinary or legal advice. Record-release rules vary by clinic and state.