Records & paperwork7 min read
What to do after changing vets: a calm 30-day plan
Moving vets is mostly a records problem. A 30-day plan keeps prescriptions flowing, makes the first appointment useful, and avoids the “starting from scratch” that happens when records lag.
The Driyu team
Pet safety editorial
Quick answer: Request a complete records copy from the previous vet (lifetime, not just the most recent year). Book a first appointment at the new vet within 30 days. Carry the records to that visit. Update prescriptions on the new vet’s timeline. Update the pet profile’s vet contact.
Why a 30-day window
Most prescriptions, especially chronic ones, need a vet relationship to refill. Waiting until you run out of medication often forces an urgent unscheduled visit. A first visit within 30 days of changing locks in continuity.
Records transfer
- Call or email the previous clinic and request a complete records release. Most clinics send digitally.
- Specify lifetime records, not just the past year.
- Confirm receipt before the first appointment at the new clinic.
- Bring a printed or digital copy to the first appointment as a backup.
The first appointment
Treat it like a meet-and-greet plus an exam. Bring: lifetime records, current medications and supplements, recent labs, the pet profile, and any specific concerns. Ask about clinic policies for refills, emergencies, and after-hours care.
Expect a baseline exam and possibly baseline labs — the new vet wants their own numbers.
Prescriptions and refills
Confirm how the new clinic handles refills (portal, phone, app), which pharmacies they work with, and how long ahead to request. Most chronic prescriptions need a recent in-person exam (typically within the past 12 months).
Specialist relationships
If your pet sees specialists (cardiology, oncology, dermatology), the new primary-care vet usually wants the specialist’s contact. Ask the specialist to send their notes to the new clinic.
Pet profile update
- Update vet contact on the pet profile
- Update primary care, specialist, and emergency clinic in one place
- Update microchip registry if the move includes a phone or address change
- Tell sitters, boarders, and daycare about the new clinic
How Driyu fits
A Driyu pet profile updates vet contact, specialists, and emergency clinic in one place — whoever sees the profile (sitter, boarder, walker, new clinic) sees the current network. Document scans of the records you transfer live in the Pro Cloud Vault today; the summary fields and contacts live in the free pet profile.
Related reads from Driyu
- How to keep your pet’s health records organized
- How to update pet records after every vet appointment
- Pet vaccine records: why easy access matters and how to organize them
Sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
Will my old vet send records directly to the new one?
Most will, with your written request. Some require a signed release. Many send PDFs by email.
Is there a charge for records transfer?
Some clinics charge a small administrative fee; many do not. Confirm when you request.
What if I disagree with the new vet’s plan?
Ask questions, request alternatives, and consider a second opinion. Switching vets is a normal option; pets do better with vets owners trust.
What about emergency care between vets?
Most areas have 24-hour emergency clinics. Save the address and phone in the pet profile before you need them.
