How to Change Vets

Can I Change Vets Without My Current Vet's Permission?

Choosing a practice is your decision. GOV.UK guidance treats the choice of practice, and of treatments, as something you decide with advice from your vet. RCVS supporting guidance tells veterinary surgeons not to obstruct a change of practice, and not to discourage a second opinion.

You do not need your current practice's permission to leave. Unlike NHS GP registration, the GOV.UK and RCVS guidance cited here does not describe a national veterinary patient list or a formal unregistering step. Follow the new practice's own registration process and let it obtain the relevant clinical history.

Do I Need to Tell My Current Practice?

You do not need their permission, but telling them is often useful so prescriptions, pending tests, and follow-up are not left hanging. The professional duty sits with the veterinary surgeons. A veterinary surgeon should not knowingly take over a colleague's case without informing that colleague and obtaining a clinical history. When an animal is first presented, the new vet should ask whether the animal is already receiving veterinary attention and, if so, contact the original practice. If a client refuses to provide that information, the new vet should decline the case, except that in an emergency it is acceptable to assess and give essential treatment first.

The usual route is to choose the new practice and let it request the relevant history, with your consent. Asking your current practice for a copy of the records for yourself is an extra step if you want one. You are not asking permission to leave.

What Happens to My Pet's Clinical Records?

Clinical records are the running account of your pet's care. RCVS records guidance says veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses must provide copies of any relevant clinical records at the request of a client. Relevant clinical information should also be provided promptly to any veterinary surgeon taking over responsibility for a case.

Before a practice shares a clinical history that includes personal data with another practice, it should obtain your consent, unless the information is fully anonymised. If older records name a previous owner, that personal information should be anonymised before the file is sent.

Information about you, rather than about the animal, is personal data under the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. You can ask for that through a subject access request. That route is about your information. It is separate from the clinical-history copy a new vet needs so they can treat your pet.

What If Treatment Is Already Underway?

If your pet is midway through treatment, the new veterinary surgeon should contact the existing practice and obtain the clinical history before taking over, except where emergency assessment and essential treatment must come first. Make sure ongoing medicines, tests, and follow-up are understood so nothing is left hanging.

Can I Get a Second Opinion?

Yes. The same RCVS supporting guidance tells veterinary surgeons not to discourage a second opinion. You can ask another first-opinion practice for its view of the same problem and stay with your current practice afterwards, or move if you prefer. If you take the animal there, that veterinary surgeon should still obtain the clinical history before taking over, except in an emergency.

What If I Still Owe Money?

An unpaid bill remains a separate matter between you and your old practice. RCVS fees guidance says a veterinary surgeon may pursue unpaid fees through a debt collection agency or civil proceedings. The RCVS has no specific jurisdiction over the level of fees charged. Separate RCVS supporting guidance says veterinary surgeons should not obstruct a client from changing practice. Relevant clinical records must still be provided at the client's request.

If the reason you want to move is price, GOV.UK notes that different practices can charge different prices for the same treatment and that it is worth comparing common items such as consultations, vaccinations, and prescriptions.

Steps for Changing Vets

1. Choose the new practice, or compare nearby options if you have not decided yet.
2. Contact or register with that practice.
3. Tell them which practice currently holds your pet's history.
4. Give any required consent for the records to be shared.
5. Make sure ongoing medicines, tests, and treatment are understood.
6. Deal with any separate outstanding account with the old practice.