Get your Vet file when pet passes

[MVons]

My Vet's office destroys the pet files when they are deceased. Pepper died a month before the news of the food recall.

I highly advise everyone when their pet dies, to get their Vet file before their office destroys it. It would have information you might want to refer to on another pet. But more importantly it is required to have for any legal action that may result in the future. I figured the Vets do have to purge their files, and before this recall probably all did it fairly quick after death.

I'm not the type to sue for damages, but I may include a request for the price of the puppy when I send in my receipt for the dog food reimbursement. I haven't heard a reply how long melamine was in the food to know if this was at all a contribution to my pet's death. She lived a good long life and we were not like the families with young pet's death. I figure at this point with lack of documentation, it doesn't hurt to ask and I won't hold my breath because I'm sure legal department would have to review as "no dogs have been reported ill from this food".

I will for now on get my dog's Vet file and have it forwarded to a new Vet if we ever change. We do this for ourselves, but not in the habit for a pet.

Merrie

[Fluffypants]

I never thought about what happens to the file once the pet passes. That's a handy tip - as I'm sure that info would come in handy later. Thanks Merrie.

[corgimom]

Merrie,

You bring up a good point; and something I want to ask my vet about, but I think they destroy the files also. My previous Pem had lumps removed which turned out to be 3 different types of cancer - I can't for the life of me remember the types as I would like to read more about it now, but I don't have that information anymore.

[The Chipmunk's Mom]

That is something I wouldn't want of Digger's. It would give me more reason to debate whether or not I did the right thing. I am finally coming to terms with his passing and I wouldn't want to upset the applecart. Grief as many know, is a hard thing to deal with and harder yet to overcome.

[Dillydoodle]

I never really thought about that either.. Truthfully, I don't want Clinton's (or misty's ) charts back. With Clinton we did everything we could and were willing to spend ANY amount of money to get him a new liver ( sadly they don't DO liver transplants for cats) but nothing would "fix" him. I trusted the vet... I couldn't go back and read the records becuase if i found ANYTHING on there made me believe that i failed my heart kitty, i don't think I could handle it. I KNOW i did everything i could for misty, afterall, i had taken a lot of her care into my own hands, and had researched her disease and learned how to PROPERLY care for her. I never did think about what happens to their records... i dont think most people are thinking about that when a pet passes, they are busy mourning and grieving...

Emilie

[Jespah]

I have to agree with Emilie and Bonnie, I had Riley at the regular vet and the cancer specialist. Even if another one of my dogs got the same cancer, I think you have to make the right decision at the time given the animal's temperment and spirit, the situation and the amount of time you have to make the decision. I learned a lot about lymphoma and the types, so just with that, I would be able to ask better questions and have an idea of how I would proceed. Being a records management advisor, unless you were planning litigation, there's not much you could do with the records. I keep files of all my animals with the copies of every check-up or whatever we are going in for. That does serve a purpose so I can see what was done and when.

[corgimom]

I made the mistake of not researching my last dogs diagnosis in her last two years of life. As I had mentioned earlier that each lump(3 of them) turned out to be a different type of cancer and my vet had never seen that in a dog before - The lumps were removed, however, in the end, we had no idea if one of those cancers was the cause for her becoming ill. I personally like to look up information, and even though I would have no use looking through her entire file, the 3 different cancers that the Pathologist determined she once had, would be of interest to me to read about.

I am keeping better notes this time myself as each animal has their own notebook and I log in important notes every time I see the vet.

[Jespah]

That's an excellent idea of keeping a log of each pet Linda. Good advice for all of us.

[MrsGrace]

That's an excellent idea of keeping a log of each pet Linda. Good advice for all of us.

I concur.

How do you keep your log? I just have a file in my cabinet for my pets. It's pretty generic as it holds papers for all my pets, past and present.

I saw some for sale at PetSmart, these cute little books to log pictures, vaccinations, pictures, as well as software to log everything. Seemed like overkill to me, but my lists are pretty detailed on their own.

[corgimom]

I just have one of those school binders with pockets. Often I think of questions inbetween appointments, so I jot them down in the notebook(unless I need an immediate answer, then I would call him), but otherwise I write down things I would like to know and that way at the next appointment, I don't forget half the stuff I wanted to ask. He always laughs at my notes and says he would like me for his personal secretary because I am so thorough but told me that I always "get his mind thinking"

when my pets have blood work done or other tests, I always ask for a copy of the results now and that way I can keep track of how things change with future tests; especially important with my two cats that have been having medical issues.

I basically just log down the date and what the appointments were for and important things that were discussed - I used to stuff everything in one folder for all my pets and I found it way to confusing and unorganized.

[disraeli ears]

That's interesting, Merrie. I wouldn't have thought they would destroy it so soon.
My mom worked for a vet for 21 years - I think they kept deceased pet files (the written ones) for a year after the pet passed.

[Dillydoodle]

I have a file for each of my pets... I do ask for copies of all blood and lab work to keep in their files, and i also review to see changes. For Gus i started to keep a photo log of his pemphigus. I take a photo of his face every day or two to get and idea of progression. I am just waiting on getting to the Dermatological specialist the first week in June... and until then all i can do is note the changes. I will bring my laptop with me to the appointment to show her photos of the progression if she needs to see them.

I love the idea of a notebook to jot down questions between vet visits, that is a brilliant idea Linda...I will have to start doing that. Currently i ask the 3 questions i remember and then have to call the office and leave messages for the other 8 i forgot! LOL!!!

Emilie

[disraeli ears]

I also have a file for my dogs. I am picking up a copy of their records to take to D.C. with me - for our next vet. We will miss Dr. Tippitt, though...I am going to stop by in the next couple of days so that she can see the dogs for one last time!

If any of you EVER move to Houston, Dr. Tippitt is the most awesome vet!+WUBCLUB+

[MVons]

That's interesting, Merrie. I wouldn't have thought they would destroy it so soon.
My mom worked for a vet for 21 years - I think they kept deceased pet files (the written ones) for a year after the pet passed.Thank you, I called back today when the Vet was there and he said the file is still there. They are faxing the lab work over to me so I can send in with my letter. I think my request for this will keep the file around for a while.

Merrie