What to bring to a vet appointment

Ohio State’s Veterinary Medical Center asks you to bring a list of your pet’s medication, the dose, how long your pet has been taking it, notes on earlier surgeries or treatments, recent test results, and your vet’s phone number.¹ Be ready to explain the symptoms you notice.

Include flea, tick, and heartworm products. Zoetis Petcare’s vet visit guide, written by a vet, says not to leave those out, and to note when each medication was last given, especially if your pet may have tests or stay in the hospital.⁴

For a specialty visit, AAHA’s referral guidelines say the clinic should tell you what to bring, including medication and supplements, so the label can confirm the dose and the instructions.² The Atlantic Veterinary College’s teaching hospital asks for every current medication in its original bottle.⁵ The AAHA guidelines also say the clinic may ask for a 2- to 3-day supply of a prescribed special diet. Photos of the labels work when the bottles will not travel well. Leave a field blank rather than guessing a name.

Write down the food, the brand, the amount, and the treats. Zoetis suggests a photo of the ingredient list when the visit is about the stomach or a food question.⁴ For a nutrition visit, the WCVM Veterinary Medical Centre in Saskatoon asks for the food, treat, medication, and supplement packages, or photos of the front and back.⁶ AAHA’s referral guidelines say the clinic should explain any fasting and which medication to give on the day.² The Atlantic Veterinary College asks you to call ahead about fasting if your pet takes medication or has diabetes.⁵ Ask when you book, and follow those instructions rather than guessing. Ask too whether the clinic wants a stool or urine sample.

AAHA’s specialist visit guide says to bring notes on warning signs, the timeline of changes in behavior or condition, treatment or medication already given, and the questions you want answered.³ A photo or short video belongs in the bag when that change may not happen in the room.

Write the dates on the pet symptom timeline. The questions to ask are in Questions to ask your vet.

To put those notes on one page for the vet, use the vet visit summary maker.

Fill this in the night before. Leave a line blank if you do not know it. In the room, give the one-sentence reason first, then show the records and the photos.

PET:
APPOINTMENT DATE:
CLINIC:

REASON FOR VISIT
One sentence:

BRINGING
Medication labels:
Last dose times:
Food and amount:
Records from another clinic:
Previous clinic phone:
Photos or videos:
What the clinic asked for:

Check these are in the bag, or on your phone, before you close the door.

• Medication labels, or clear photos of them, with the last dose times.
• Records, lab results, or discharge notes from another clinic, and that clinic’s phone number.
• The food brand and amount, or a photo of the bag.
• A photo or short video, if the change may not show in the room.
• Anything the clinic asked for, such as a sample, a special diet, or a carrier.
• One sentence on why you are going.