It’s reassuring to know that our dealings with our doctor or other health professionals are protected by patient confidentiality – but did you know that the same applies for animals that are taken to the vet?!
I can’t help wondering if this is taking the whole concept of patient confidentiality a tad too far …
I discovered the rules regarding patient confidentiality for animals quite by accident recently, when we had some very sad news.
Miss Fleur’s brother and litter mate passed away suddenly – despite the fact that they are just 18 months old.
We very nearly adopted her brother at the same time we got Fleur, so I am kinda glad we didn’t – imagine how devastated I would be right now; even just having met this lovely fellow a couple of times, I am terribly sad.
It seems that Fleur’s brother had a heart defect from birth and his poor old heart just gave out.
I learned about this tragedy through the wonders of social media; I follow the rescue organisation on Facebook, and read the update there.
It wasn’t long however before I started to worry about our own adorable kitty – could she too have inherited this heart defect? The rescue organisation couldn’t give me much information, although they did pass on the details of the vet involved.
As a very worried mama of our precious furbaby, I wasted no time in phoning the vet to find out more, explaining that our kitties were born in the same litter. Could it be hereditary? What had happened exactly to her brother? What warning signs should we be alert for?
And that was when I discovered that patient confidentiality even applies to animals. The vet was unable to give me any details or information whatsoever, and could only recommend that I arrange an appointment with my own vet.
While I understand that the vet had to follow the rules, I am left a bit puzzled as to the necessity of it – especially in a case like this, where it could help save the life of another animal.
Did you realise there was such a thing as patient confidentiality for animals, or am I just a bit naive?!
I never knew animals had patient confidentiality rights also. The confidentiality may be more for the owners of the other pet? They might get upset if the vet talks about their pet to other people?
Maybe that vet would be willing to talk to your vet and exchange relevant information that way.
You learn something everyday. How can an animal that can’t speak for them self have patient confidentiality? Very weird!
For real?? Well, I suppose Pebbles wouldn’t want other cats to know she suffers from anxiety…
But it’s really weird. As if cats and dogs are going to sue the vet! Especially ones that haven’t yet been adopted to a family.
I had no idea about patient confidentiality for pets!! So sad about Fleur’s litter brother. It would be devastating to his owners! Lovely pics of Fleur. I’m so glad you got another cat. Lovely to catch up with you today. I had a little nanna nap when I got home! lol x
Not a clue!! But that’s kinda cute..
Geez, that seems a bit extreme. I hope your kitty is ok throughout his life though.
I had no idea either and it does seem pretty strange. I wonder how long patient confidentiality for pets has been around. Seems unnecessary to me too. #teamIBOT (I just said that in my mind the way you do 🙂 )
It’s crazy isn’t it?
Our dog attacked another dog a few years ago, and we rightly offered to pay the vet bill. Although I wasn’t allowed to look at the bill, because it was breaching confidentiality. I had to pay and hope they hadn’t added a few other items to it as well. Was a joke.
This is extra silly. It was rescue cat, not someones beloved friend. Why can’t its details be released?
i’m in disgrace over here. one of my cats is pregnant. i found her in a parking lot and before i could make a spay appt. the neighborhood tomcat came tomcattin’ around. in the dead of winter. nice.
It’s ridiculous! I hope Fleur is okay. She’s a girl cat. He was a boy. Perhaps it was something genetic only pertaining to boys.
Fleur is just divine!!
I like the confidentiality, I wish there was more funding/help with vet care.
I had absolutely no idea that there was patient confidentiality for pets as well. Good to know if anything comes up in future in relation to my two fur babies – currently snoring at my feet as I write!