Vet Medical Records

Question
The diet for Struvites did not work.The vet gave me a bill for $852.99 for sugery. I requested my Dog's Xrays to take to another Vet to see if I could get a cheaper Surgery.  She told me that it was not legal to let me have those Xrays.  I told her I had paid for them and they belonged to me. She finally agreed to send them to the other vet.  What is the law regarding the ownership of Vet Medical Records.  Thanks

Answer
Hi Richard!Record ownership really depends on which state you live in. The actual information belongs to the client. That information can be sent to another vet at your request. You are entitled to a copy of the X-rays or they can be sent to another vet, which was done in your case. X-rays are a part of the medical record, and in the case of any legal action against the vet, they would be used to defend the vet's action based on the X-rays. If the vet sent them to you or someone else and you misplaced them or they were lost, then the record would be incomplete.

It seems like your vet tried to get your dog treated the least expensive way, with the diet. When it didn't work, then surgery was the simplest, although the more expensive option.Hope this helps!Nicole.D.