Photo: Unsplash (free licence).
Quick answer: bring their vaccination record or pet passport, the exact name of their food and any medicine or flea and tick treatment, your list of changes noticed with dates, photos or videos of the problem and your questions in writing. If asked, bring a fresh stool or urine sample.
Checklist
Documents
- Vaccination record or EU pet passport.
- Previous reports and test results.
- Insurance details, if you have a policy.
Information about their daily life
- Brand and recipe of their food, daily portion and treats.
- Date of the last external and internal parasite treatment.
- Current medicines or supplements.
- Weight, if you track it at home.
Changes you have noticed
- What you have noticed, since when and how often.
- Photos or videos (limping, coughing, itching…).
- Changes in appetite, thirst, urine or stools.
Questions
- Write them down beforehand: it is easy to forget them during the appointment.
- Ask about the next step and the next appointment.
On the day of the appointment
- Ask whether they need to fast (for a blood test, for example).
- Use a pet carrier for cats and small dogs, and a short lead for large dogs.
- Arrive a few minutes early.
- Bring treats to reward them afterwards.

