[Dailydrool] Record keeping

[belleheidi at msn.com]

Our vet used to keep both Belle & Heidi in one folder for years.  Pages were 
coming apart and getting mixed up.  We had a new vet join the practice and 
we happened to have her for one of the girls - she stopped the exam and 
physically straightened out the folder herself.  The next time we went in 
the girls graduated to separate folders.

My record keeping is better organized than theirs.  I have a separate 
notebook for Belle & Heidi that has notes from every appt from day one which 
means there is 14 years in Belle's and 9-1/2 yrs in Heidi's - needless to 
say the past few months they have been filling up quickly.  The books go 
into every visit with me and if I need to call for something I can tell them 
the last time they had the same issue.  The last time we were in for Belle's 
pancreatitis (2 weeks from the 1st time), I was able to find the info 
quicker in my notes that our vet could find it in the chart.  The info may 
not be as technical but it certainly helps.

One last note, I have started to ask for copies of test results and copies 
of the chart when something major is going on so I have it in the event that 
we have to run to the emergency vet clinic at odd hours.  Knock on wood I 
have never had to use them.

We trust our vets explicitly, but realize they see many many clients so any 
help I can give is more peace of mind for Bob & I.

Hope these tidbits are helpful.

Patti
owned by Belle & Heidi