What to do if you think something went wrong at the vet

This guide offers general information, not legal advice. If you believe you have a serious claim involving your pet’s care, an attorney familiar with veterinary matters can advise you on your specific situation.

Start by separating outcome from error

This is the hardest part, and it’s worth sitting with before taking any action. Veterinary medicine, like human medicine, involves real uncertainty. Some pets decline or don’t survive despite care that was entirely appropriate, and a bad outcome alone doesn’t mean a mistake happened. A genuine concern usually points to something more specific: a clearly documented wrong medication dose, a symptom that was reported but not followed up on, or a procedure that deviated from what was actually discussed and agreed to beforehand.

If you’re not sure which category your situation falls into, getting a second opinion from another vet, with records in hand, is often the clearest way to find out.

Requesting your pet’s medical records

This is almost always the right first step, regardless of what you decide to do next. You’re entitled to a copy of your pet’s medical records, and a written request to the clinic should produce exam notes, test results, treatment given, and any related communications. Having this in hand does two things: it gives a second-opinion vet something concrete to review, and it creates a clear timeline of exactly what happened, rather than relying on memory during a stressful period.

Step	What it accomplishes
Request full medical records in writing	Establishes a clear, documented timeline
Get a second opinion from another vet	Independent read on whether care was appropriate
Raise the concern directly with the practice	Sometimes resolves billing or communication issues without escalation
File a complaint with the state veterinary board	Formal review of licensed conduct, separate from billing disputes
Consult an attorney	Relevant mainly if considering a claim for damages

Talking to the practice directly

Before escalating, it’s often worth raising the concern directly with the clinic, calmly and specifically. Many practices have a process for addressing client concerns and may offer an explanation, a correction, or in some cases a billing adjustment that resolves the issue without further steps. This isn’t the right path for every situation, especially a serious one, but for many concerns it’s a reasonable and often effective first move.

Filing a complaint with the state board

If you believe a veterinarian’s conduct fell below a professional standard, Colorado’s veterinary licensing board, part of the Division of Professions and Occupations, accepts complaints from the public and can investigate a licensed vet’s care and conduct. This process is separate from resolving a billing dispute or getting a second opinion, it’s specifically for concerns about whether a licensed professional met their professional obligations. Filing a complaint is free and doesn’t require an attorney.

When a lawyer becomes relevant

Most concerns don’t need legal representation to address. Requesting records, getting a second opinion, and filing a board complaint are all things you can do on your own. An attorney becomes relevant mainly if you’re considering pursuing a financial claim for damages related to what happened, which is a more significant step than most situations call for, and one worth thinking through carefully given the added cost and time involved.

Moving forward, whichever path you choose

Whether you end up switching vets, filing a formal complaint, or simply getting the answers you needed from a direct conversation, having records in hand and a second opinion when appropriate puts you in the strongest position to make a clear decision rather than an emotional one.

Keeping a clear record as you go

Whichever path you take, write things down as they happen rather than relying on memory afterward. Note dates, what was said in each conversation, and by whom, especially phone calls that won’t otherwise leave a paper trail. If you do end up filing a complaint or considering legal advice later, a clear, dated record of events is far more useful than reconstructing a timeline from memory weeks after the fact.

What this process is not for

It’s worth being clear about what this path isn’t built for. A billing disagreement over a fee you didn’t expect is usually best resolved directly with the practice’s office manager, not through a licensing complaint. Frustration with a rushed appointment or a vet you simply didn’t connect with is a reason to find a different provider, not necessarily a conduct concern. Reserving the more formal steps, records requests, board complaints, legal consultation, for situations involving an actual departure from appropriate care keeps the process meaningful and keeps your own energy focused where it matters most.

If you’re looking for a new vet after this experience, our home page has the full Denver metro directory, and our methodology page explains how we evaluate and rank the listings you’ll find there.