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Keeping Records

We started out storing all the printouts and prescriptions from our vet in an accordion file.  That worked very well for keeping everything accessible and in one place.  The value of keeping our records was underscored when our bunny Oatmeal stopped eating after being prescribed a new medication.  After talking with our vet, we found that loss of appetite was a possible, but rarely seen, side effect.  Several years later, he needed antibiotics again, and we needed to know which one had caused the appetite loss.  We were able to look through our file and quickly find that information.

However, over time we reached the limitations of our accordion file system.  After years of caring for our disabled rabbit, Luna, we had literally hundreds of pages in our folder.  With that many pages, it took a long time to find specific information.  We started looking for digital options.  There are lots of resources out there for keeping up with your rabbit’s records.  You can download a variety of software programs with options like adding records, scanning photo of your pet (always a good idea for disaster planning), and storing emergency contact information.  Some programs are for purchase, and others are free.  In the end, we decided to try Evernote.  

Evernote is not for medical records specifically, but so far it is working for us.  You can input documents, notes, photos, articles, and about anything else you can think of.  Our vet always prints itemized invoices, complete with prescription information.  We scan those pages into Evernote, and are able to add any other instructions or notes.  The pages are then searchable, so we can type in the name of a medication, or a rabbit’s name, and find what we need.  One of the features I like is that we can share the health notebook, so my husband and I can both see it from anywhere, including my smartphone, which is always in my pocket.  Now that I am on to digital record keeping, I can’t imagine going back to my paper folder!  I have moved on to adding in all my rabbit-related articles from the web.  Be sure to share your ideas and tips for rabbit record-keeping!