I Don’t Have My Dog’s Shot Records!
If you’re like many people, you’ve probably found yourself saying, “I don’t have my dog’s shot records.” First, don’t panic. Second, not having your dog’s vaccination records isn’t a big deal. Keep reading to find out what happens now.
My Experience with Losing My Dog’s Shot Records
Believe it or not, I’ve lost my dog’s vaccination records. Honestly, I’m never good at keeping them in a safe place. I figure the vet probably has all the records and they are really the only ones that need them anyway.
Unfortunately, since we are military, we move around a lot and that means new veterinarians. So, losing my dog’s shot records has made things difficult, and I’ve definitely said a time or two – ” I don’t have my dog’s short records.”
How to Get Your Dog’s Short Records
If you find yourself saying, “I don’t have my dog’s shot records,” the first thing to do is contact your dog’s veterinarian or the last one who administered the rabies vaccination. Veterinarian offices typically maintain documentation about vaccinations for public health reasons, and they can often provide you with a copy of your dog’s shot records. In today’s digital age, many vet offices offer dog shot records online and provide the convenience of emailing these records to you or providing access through an online portal.
What Else to Do When You Don’t Have Your Dog’s Shot Records
While your dog’s shot records are important because it details information about the rabies vaccination and other requirements in owning a dog, not all hope is lost when you lose them.
The following are tips on what you can do to either recover your dog’s shot records or have a new one created.
Schedule a Vet Appointment
If it’s been a long time since your last vet visit with your pet, the rabies vaccine is likely expired. Depending on the rabies vaccine you decided to give your dog – 1 year or 3 years – you will need to visit the vet for another one.
When you go to the vet, simply say ” I don’t have my dog’s shot records” and they will take care of it. With a vaccination history, they will likely decide to give your dog all required vaccines depending on age.
If you have a dog that is over 10 years of age, you may be asked if you’re interested in certain vaccines that aren’t core vaccines, such as the Lyme disease or kennel cough vaccine. To help you with your decision, consider reading the following information:
Lyme Vaccine for Dogs: Pros and Cons
Pros and Cons of the Kennel Cough Vaccine
No Pet Shot Records During an Emergency?
If you have a sick pet and no vaccination history, a veterinarian will run a blood test to diagnose what is wrong. For instance, if your pet is sick because of rabies, a vaccine for it won’t help but treatment will. When your dog recovers, the vaccine can be given.
If your pet is sick for another reason, the vet will wait until your pup is feeling better before administering any required vaccinations.
When vaccinations are given, a new vet record will be created for you to use from that moment on. You won’t have to worry about not having a shot record any longer.
Tips on Keeping Dog Shot Records Safe
Once you have your pet’s medical history back or recreated, consider the following ways to keep it from getting lost again.
- Save an electronic copy on the cloud. Many pet parents use Google Drive or One Drive to save their dog shot records online.
- Some pet owners have a file folder with their child’s shot record and they keep their dog’s immunization record in there too. After all, pet parents consider their furry friend’s children.
- Stay in touch with your veterinarian’s office to ensure you always have access to your dog’s immunization records. That way, if you ever do misplace the records again, you can access them easily.
Now you know what to do when you say, “I don’t have my dog’s shot records.” Take a deep breath and don’t worry too much about it. You can get them back or have a new one created.
Related Reading:
If you just want to talk to a vet online, read this: Can You Call a Vet and Ask Questions?
