What to note down for the vet to make the most of the visit
What to write down before going to the vet: symptoms, changes, food, medication and questions, so the appointment is more useful.
A vet appointment goes by fast, and it’s easy to walk out remembering what you meant to ask. A few notes prepared beforehand help your vet understand what’s going on and help you not forget anything.
If you’re going because something’s wrong
Write down, with dates if you can:
- What you’ve noticed and since when. “Eating less since Tuesday” is far more useful than “acting odd”.
- How it’s changed: getting worse, better, or coming and going.
- Food and water: whether they eat and drink as usual, more or less.
- Pee and poo: how often, what it looks like, any blood or diarrhoea. A photo helps.
- Vomiting, coughing, limping or itching: how many times and when.
- Any recent change: new food, a trip, moving house, another animal at home or something they might have eaten.
What your vet always wants to know
- Medication and supplements they take now, with the prescribed dose and since when.
- Vaccines and deworming, with their dates.
- Weight, if you keep track at home.
- Allergies or reactions to previous medication.
Your questions
Write them down before you go in and don’t leave without an answer. Some useful ones:
- Which signs should make me come back sooner?
- How, and for how long, do I give the treatment?
- When is their next check-up or vaccine due?
After the appointment
Note down what you were told: the diagnosis, the treatment and how to give it, and the date of the next visit. If they need medication, set a reminder for every dose that everyone at home can see.
If you notice something serious, such as trouble breathing, a hard knock or possible poisoning, don’t wait: call an emergency vet.