medical records

[heelermom]

New here so hope I found the right forum for my question.

Does anyone know if I'm allowed to have my dogs medical records and does the vet have to keep them for a certain length of time if the pet passes away?

Thanks, Laurie

[bendyfoot]

You're absolutely entitled to have a copy of the records, but not the originals as far as I know. I don't know if there's a hard-and-fast rule about keeping records after patients pass away, but I know that the clinic I worked at kept them in the clinic for at least a year after the file was closed, and then they were moved to an offsite storage location.

[heelermom]

Thanks. I thought so! Having trouble getting them from vet who performed the surgery on my Prince

[growler~GateKeeper]

Bendyfoot is right, you are entitled to have a copy of everything in that file - even digital pics of xrays. Once the pet passes away they are usually in-clinic storage for about a year then to a storage facility unless the clinic has enough space to store it themselves. It might take them a few days to retrieve & copy the records but that is the only delay there should be.

If you are still having trouble you can always contact the Alberta Veterinary Medical Assoiciation & see if there is any way they can help speed up the process for you.

About a year after my last dog passed away I phoned his clinic & asked for a copy of the file, it just took them a couple of days & they called me when it was ready for pick up - no charge either.

[heelermom]

Thanks so much for your response. I've had a feeling about the run around as to the circumstances of Prince,s passing and the very long delay in when his surgery was to have taken place (12 delay). Beginning to wonder why they won't give me a copy of his records. Especially since I'm concerned for his brother's health now!
Laurie

[lm9012]

Yes you can have those records! This sounds fishy that they won't give them to you. Have you tried just showing up? I've done that and they make me copies right then and there..it's my dog! Some places have asked me to fax release forms when I want them to fax directly to another vet..

( yea, i've switched vets a lot!!)

But you have every right to that stuff. Just march in and ask for copies then and there.