When a dog or cat goes through different clinics, consultations and exams throughout its life, it is common for important information to be scattered among papers, WhatsApp messages, emails, photos on the cell phone and the owner’s memories. The problem is that many believe they have a complete medical history of the pet when, in practice, they just have a collection of disconnected exams.

In animal health, this difference matters. An organized veterinary history can help with disease preventionin early diagnosis, in comparing old exams and in making safer decisions in urgent situations or continuous monitoring.

According to Alan Mora, national managing partner of the +Pet group, the organization of this information has become even more relevant with the evolution of veterinary medicine and the advancement of structures capable of handling cases of different complexities. “Just as in human medicine, understanding the patient’s clinical trajectory helps to identify patterns, monitor developments and make safer decisions over time”, he explains.

Below, see 5 ways to better organize your child’s health. pet throughout life.

1. Keep more than veterinary exams

A medical history pet Completeness is not limited to laboratory results. It is also important to gather:

• Vaccination card;
• Blood tests;
• Imaging exams;
• Recipes and prescription medications;
• Hospitalization reports;
• Surgeries performed;
• Allergies identified;
• Previous illnesses;
• Medications for continuous use.

This information helps the veterinarian to better understand the evolution of the animal’s health and reduces the risk of decisions based solely on the moment of consultation.

2. Record changes in the dog or cat’s behavior

Not all important information appears on an exam. Changes in appetite, sleep, water consumption, willingness to play, mobility or use of the litter box may indicate that something has changed in the dog’s health. pet. When these changes are recorded over time, they help the veterinarian put together a more complete clinical picture.

In practice, the tutor can write down on their cell phone:

• When the change began;
• Whether the behavior has worsened or improved;
• If there was change in diet;
• I know pet presented pain, tiredness or apathy;
• If the household routine has changed.

This type of information can speed up diagnoses and prevent important signs from being treated as “an age thing” or temporary behavior.

3. Compare old exams before repeating procedures

When previous tests are not available, the veterinarian may need to request new tests to better understand the animal’s condition. However, when there is an organized history, the professional can compare results, monitor the evolution of indicators and assess whether there has been worsening, improvement or stability. This is especially important in pets elderly or those with chronic illnesses, such as heart, kidney, hormonal or orthopedic problems.

4. Create a prevention routine even when the pet looks healthy

A common mistake is to seek veterinary care only when the animal shows obvious symptoms. But many health problems evolve silently. Preventive consultationsperiodic exams and regular monitoring help to create a timeline of the patient’s health pet. This makes it easier to identify changes and act before the situation becomes more complex.

5. Choose a network that follows the complete journey of the pet

In modern veterinary medicine, care should not depend on loose information or isolated care. Ideally, the owner has access to a structure capable of monitoring different moments in the animal’s life, from preventive consultations to exams, specialists, emergency care and highly complex hospitals. This integrated model helps reduce information fragmentation and allows a more complete view of the health of the client. pet.

According to Alan Mora, this is one of the great advances in animal health in Brazil: bringing veterinary care closer to a more continuous logic, in which prevention, clinical care, diagnosis, specialties and high complexity start to communicate better with each other. “Today, it is not enough to treat diseases when they appear. The challenge is to build a continuous journey of care, with prevention, monitoring and quick access to the right information at the right time”, he concludes.

By Clarissa Perillo