How to Prepare for a Veterinary Visit: A Checklist for Dog and Cat Owners

Introduction

A veterinary visit is more than just the examination itself. The more information your veterinarian has about your pet’s health, medical history, and recent changes, the more complete the picture will be during the appointment.

At the same time, important details can be easy to forget: when a symptom first appeared, how often it occurs, which medications your pet is currently taking, or when their diet was last changed.

Happy Llama is an online veterinary pharmacy and a project for dog and cat owners who want to better understand their pets’ health and care. We have put together a practical checklist to help you prepare for a veterinary visit in advance.

Important: this article is provided for informational and educational purposes only and does not replace a consultation with a veterinarian.

What to Prepare Before a Veterinary Visit

If you are visiting a new clinic or seeing a veterinarian about a specific problem, it is useful to gather information about your pet in advance. You do not need to prepare a separate folder — much of this information can be saved in your phone notes or photos.

Before the appointment, it may be useful to have:

• Your pet’s veterinary passport or vaccination record;
• Previous test and examination results;
• Previous veterinary reports;
• Information about chronic health conditions;
• A list of medications and supplements your pet is currently taking;
• Photos or videos of symptoms;
• Information about your pet’s diet;
• Questions you would like to ask the veterinarian.

If the clinic has given you specific preparation instructions in advance, follow those instructions first.

Record Symptoms and Changes in Your Pet’s Condition

Your pet may behave very differently at the clinic than they do at home. Some symptoms occur only occasionally, so the veterinarian may not see them during the examination.

What to write down

• When you first noticed the problem;
• How often it occurs;
• Whether it has become more or less noticeable;
• Whether similar episodes have happened before;
• Whether anything unusual happened before the symptoms appeared.

Pay attention to your pet’s overall condition as well. Changes in appetite, thirst, activity, behavior, urination, or stool can also be an important part of the medical history.

When photos and videos can help

If possible, take a photo or video of what is happening. This can be especially useful for symptoms that are not constant, such as an unusual gait, coughing, itching, episodes of unusual behavior, or other changes that may not occur during the appointment.

You do not need to determine which disease may be causing these changes yourself. It is much more useful to tell your veterinarian clearly what changed and when you first noticed it.

Prepare Your Pet’s Medical History

Previous medical records help the veterinarian understand what has happened with your pet in the past and which tests or treatments have already been performed.

This is especially important if you are visiting a new clinic or seeing a new veterinary specialist.

Bring any available test results, veterinary reports, and your pet’s veterinary passport or vaccination record. If your pet has any chronic health conditions, make sure to tell the veterinarian about them.

Also prepare information about any medications your pet is currently taking. It is important to know not only the name of the medication but also the dose and how often it is given. This also applies to supplements and preventive products your pet receives regularly.

If the names are difficult to remember, take photos of the packaging and labels.

Tell the Veterinarian What Your Pet Eats

Information about your pet’s diet is also an important part of their medical history.

Try to provide more than just the name of the main food. The veterinarian may find it useful to know:

• What food your pet eats and approximately how much;
• How often your pet is fed;
• Whether your pet receives treats;
• Whether your pet receives dietary or other supplements;
• Whether your pet receives table food or anything else in addition to their main diet;
• Whether the diet has changed recently.

It is especially important to mention a recent diet change if the reason for the visit involves appetite, digestion, skin problems, or other changes in your pet’s condition.

Should You Feed Your Dog or Cat Before a Veterinary Visit?

There is no universal rule that pets should not be fed before every veterinary visit.

Preparation depends on the reason for the appointment and on any tests or procedures that are planned. Some diagnostic tests may require a period without food, while others may have different requirements.

If your pet is scheduled for blood tests, an ultrasound, sedation, or another procedure, ask the clinic in advance:

• Whether your pet can eat before the appointment;
• Whether your pet can drink water;
• Whether regular medications should be given on the day of the appointment.

❗ Do not stop prescribed medications on your own. If the medication schedule needs to be changed before a test or procedure, your veterinarian should provide specific instructions.

Should You Collect a Urine or Stool Sample in Advance?

There is no need to bring a sample to every veterinary appointment “just in case.”

If a urine or stool test is required, ask the clinic in advance how the sample should be collected. Requirements may vary depending on the type of test.

The clinic may provide instructions about the collection method, container, storage, and how quickly the sample should be delivered. In some cases, the veterinarian may prefer to collect a urine sample directly at the clinic.

If your veterinarian has asked you to collect urine at home, you can use our guide: “How to Collect a Urine Sample from a Cat or Dog”.

How to Prepare Your Pet for the Trip to the Clinic

For some dogs and cats, stress begins before they even enter the examination room — during the journey or when they are placed in a carrier.

If you are travelling with a cat

If your cat is afraid of the carrier, try not to bring it out only immediately before a veterinary visit. Gradual exposure to the carrier at home can help make it a more familiar place.

You can place familiar bedding inside. During the journey, the carrier should be securely positioned. If needed, it can be partially covered with a towel or blanket to reduce visual stimulation while maintaining adequate ventilation.

If your pet is very afraid of travelling or veterinary visits

Tell your veterinarian in advance. In some cases, the veterinarian may recommend specific preparation before the appointment.

❗ Do not give your dog or cat sedatives or anti-anxiety medications without veterinary guidance. The appropriate medication and dosing plan should be determined by a veterinarian.

Write Down Your Questions for the Veterinarian

It is useful to prepare your questions before the appointment. During an examination, it is easy to become distracted and remember an important question only after leaving the clinic.

You may want to ask:

• Whether additional tests are needed;
• What changes you should monitor at home;
• How to follow the prescribed treatment plan;
• Whether anything should be changed in your pet’s care or diet;
• When a follow-up appointment is needed.

If you are unsure about how to give a prescribed medication or do not understand another recommendation, ask the veterinarian for clarification before leaving.

Key Takeaways

Preparing for a veterinary visit does not have to be complicated. The main goal is to gather information that can help the veterinarian better understand your pet’s condition.

Before leaving, check that you have:

• Your pet’s veterinary passport or vaccination record and medical documents;
• Information about current medications and supplements;
• Information about your pet’s diet;
• Photos or videos of symptoms;
• Notes about changes in your pet’s condition;
• Questions for your veterinarian.

If the clinic has given you specific instructions for preparing for tests or procedures, follow those instructions.

A little preparation before the visit can help you remember important details and make the most of your appointment time.

Happy Llama materials are provided for informational and educational purposes only and are not medical advice or a substitute for a veterinary consultation. If you notice concerning symptoms in your pet, contact a veterinary clinic as soon as possible for appropriate diagnosis and care.