Hospital Discharge Instructions (Veterinary)

Practice Information

Hospital/Practice Name: [Hospital/Practice Name]

Address: [Street, City, State, ZIP]

Phone: [Main phone number]

After-Hours Emergency: [After-hours instructions or emergency clinic name and number]

Patient Information

Patient: [name, species, breed, age, sex, weight with units]

Owner/Caregiver: [Owner/Caregiver name]

Discharge Date: [Day, Month Date, Year]

Attending Veterinarian: [Veterinarian name, credentials]

Primary Diagnosis: [plain-language diagnosis; if uncertain, begin with "suspected"] (Include a brief explanation in everyday terms the first time a diagnosis appears, e.g., "pancreatitis—inflammation of the pancreas.")

Procedure Performed: [procedure in plain language] (Only include if a procedure was performed.)

Home Care Priorities

(List 3–7 concrete actions the owner must do at home. Use short, direct sentences. Include exact timing for first doses, protective device requirements, activity limits, and follow-up appointment. Use specific calendar dates and clock times rather than relative terms like "tomorrow.")

• [Critical action 1 with specific timing]
• [Critical action 2 with specific timing]
• [Critical action 3 with specific timing]
• [Critical action 4 with specific timing]
• [Critical action 5 with specific timing]
• [Critical action 6 with specific timing]
• [Critical action 7 with specific timing]

Seek emergency care immediately if: [2–4 critical, case-specific warning signs]

Medications

(If no medications were prescribed, state: "No medications were prescribed." For each medication, use owner-friendly units and plain language—no abbreviations like BID or PO. If critical information is missing, do not guess; write: "Medication clarification required: follow the prescription label or contact the hospital before giving.")

• [Medication name] ([purpose in plain language])

  • Give: [amount, e.g., 1 tablet or 2.5 mL] [route, e.g., by mouth]
  • Frequency: [plain-language frequency, e.g., every 12 hours]
  • Start: [specific date and time]
  • Stop: [specific date/time / until gone / until recheck]
  • With food: [yes / no]
  • Last dose in hospital: [date and time]; next dose due [date and time] (Only include if timing matters to avoid double-dosing.)
  • Special instructions: [storage, shake well, do not crush, separate from other meds, wear gloves, etc.] (Only include if applicable.)
  • Side effects to watch for: [expected or concerning effects and whether to stop medication and call, or monitor]
  • As-needed use: [symptom trigger, maximum frequency, when to stop self-management and call] (Only include for PRN medications.)
• (Repeat for each additional medication.)

Care Instructions

(Include only sections that apply to this patient. Omit sections with no case-specific content.)

Activity (Only include if restrictions apply.)

• [Restriction level and duration]
• [Allowed activities]
• [Activities to avoid and for how long]

Diet (Only include if specific instructions apply.)

• [Diet type and amount per meal]
• [Feeding schedule]
• [Transition plan if changing diets]
• [Water access instructions]

Wound/Incision/Device Care (Only include if applicable.)

• [Location and how to keep clean/dry; cleansing instructions]
• [E-collar or protective device use and duration]
• [Bandage or drain care; how to check for problems]
• [Normal healing appearance vs signs of concern]
• [Bathing/grooming restrictions]
• [Suture/staple removal: when and where]

Warning Signs

Seek emergency care now

• [Immediate danger sign 1, e.g., difficulty breathing, collapse, uncontrolled bleeding]
• [Immediate danger sign 2]
• [Immediate danger sign 3]
• [Immediate danger sign 4]

Call us today

• [Same-day concern 1, e.g., worsening swelling, repeated vomiting, refusal to eat]
• [Same-day concern 2]
• [Same-day concern 3]
• [Same-day concern 4]

Follow-Up & Contact

Scheduled appointment: [date, time, location, purpose] (If not yet scheduled: "Please call to schedule by [date].")

Pending test results: [tests pending, expected turnaround, how results will be communicated] (Only include if tests are pending.)

Questions or concerns: Call [phone number]. After hours: [after-hours instructions or emergency clinic name and number].