Can vets tell you ..

[Montyforever]

If your horse has had an operation (few years back) while not in your ownership?
Said horse has been under the same vets since weaning and i can prove im the owner now ect!

Ta in advance

 

[ThePony]

I think if you ask them straight then if it is in their knowledge then they have to tell you.

 

[abbieandfiona]

They should check with past owner if they have past owners permission then yes they are then able to tell you if past owner says no then really they shouldnt pass on that information.

 

[crunchie1]

They have to get previous owners permission before disclosing - if they say no then no they can't tell you

 

[Chestnut mare]

No they can't due to data protection of the previous owner! If the previous owner gives their permission to pass on the information then they can do so .

 

[s4sugar]

Data protection act doesn't apply to animal and although the vet cannot pass on details of previous owners they could be held in contravention of the animal welfare act if they failed to disclose a relevant fact when treating a horse - eg prior diagnoses.

It could possibly be argued that repeating some tests they have already performed may be fraudulent.

 

[Queenbee]

what type of operation? A vet will be able to tell you whether an animal has had certain operations by examination regardless of prior knowledge of the animals history.

 

[MissTyc]

If they don't tell you does that mean they wouldn't tell the insurance co either?

Surely they'd have to tell you if it potentially impacted on a claim as they are bound to reveal prior condition to insurance in event of a claim?

 

[Dolcé]

They won't tell you without the permission of the previous owner. It is absolutely ridiculous, we had a similar thing with one we bought that had a loss of use, we couldn't find out what it was for which meant that he could have needed ongoing treatment or not to be ridden etc but we never managed to find out. You could change vets and ask your vet to send all information on the horse to your new vet but still not sure they would send details from whilst horse was under previous ownership. The best way, if you can speak to the previous owner, is to ask them to give the vet permission to give you all the details you need.