For a vet appointment, bring five things: your pet's vaccine dates, a list of current medication with doses, recent weights, dated notes on any symptoms, and your questions. PawKeep keeps the first four as you go and turns the records you choose into a printable or shareable report. For an emergency or a new clinic, the same record gives them the history and your regular vet's contact in one place.
What your vet will ask
| Question | What helps |
|---|---|
| What is the problem, and when did it start? | A dated note for each episode, not a general impression |
| Is it getting better or worse? | Two or more dated observations |
| What medication is your pet on? | Names, doses and how reliably they have been given |
| Any change in eating, drinking or weight? | Recent weights, and a note if appetite changed |
| Are vaccines and preventives up to date? | Dates given and next due |
| Has this happened before? | Previous visits and what was advised |
Writing symptom notes that are useful
Vets work from specifics. "He's been a bit off" gives them nothing to start from. "Vomited Tuesday evening and Thursday morning, both times within an hour of eating, otherwise bright" narrows it down. For each episode note the date, what you saw, how long it lasted and anything unusual beforehand.
PawKeep's health events cover the common ones, including vomiting, limping, seizures, allergy flares, injuries and behavior changes, each with a date and notes. Three entries a week apart tell a clearer story than your best recollection in the consulting room. A short video on your phone of a cough, a limp or an odd movement is also worth taking, since symptoms rarely perform on demand.
The evening before
- Check the vaccine and preventive dates. If something is overdue, the appointment is the time to deal with it.
- Review medication. Note any missed doses and anything that ran out.
- Weigh your pet if you can. A dated weight at home is a useful comparison.
- Write down three questions. More than that and the important one gets lost.
- Make the report. In PawKeep, choose the vaccines, medication, weights, visits and document photos to include.
If you prefer paper, the free vet visit prep sheet covers the same ground.
After the appointment
The visit itself is a record worth keeping. Add it while it is fresh: the date, the reason, what the vet found and what they advised. Photograph the invoice or any printed instructions and store it as a document. If a new medicine was prescribed, add it with its schedule so the reminders start that day. Enter the weight they took. Next time, all of it is one tap away.
Emergencies and a clinic that does not know your pet
At an out-of-hours clinic nobody has your pet's file. What they need quickly is the animal's age and weight, current medication, known allergies or conditions, vaccine status, and your regular vet's contact so records can be requested. Each pet's record in PawKeep holds the microchip number and your vet's details alongside the health history, and the report can be shared from your phone at the desk.
If someone else may have to take your pet to a vet while you are away, share the record with them or leave a printed handover sheet.
Insurance claims
Insurers usually ask for the clinical history and itemized invoices. Keeping invoice photos and visit dates together means a claim form takes minutes. Your vet practice normally supplies the formal history; your own record tells you which dates to ask for.
Free version and PawKeep Family
| Free | PawKeep Family |
|---|---|
| One pet, free forever | Additional pets |
| Unlimited records for that pet | Sharing with family or a sitter through iCloud |
| Vaccines, medication reminders, visits, weights and documents | Read-only or read/write access, revoked when you choose |
PawKeep Family is available monthly, yearly or as a one-time lifetime purchase. Check the App Store for current prices.
Common questions
Can I send the report to my vet before the appointment?
You can share or print the report from your iPhone. Whether your practice accepts information ahead of time is up to them.
Does my vet need to use PawKeep?
No. The report is a normal document you print or share.
What should I bring to a first appointment with a new puppy or kitten?
Any paperwork from the breeder or shelter, including vaccines and worming given so far, microchip details, and what food they are on.
Is the report free?
Reports are part of the app for your first pet. PawKeep Family adds more pets and sharing.
Does PawKeep diagnose symptoms?
No. It records what you observe so you can describe it accurately to your vet.
PawKeep keeps your records organized. It does not give veterinary advice. Always consult your veterinarian about your pet's health, vaccines and medication.
Keep the record now, so the next appointment is easy: Get PawKeep free.