As a worrier, I want to be prepared in case there’s a veterinary crisis while you’re away. Signing a Veterinary Release form enables me to check your cat into a clinic if there’s a medical emergency while their legal owner is away. Without such paperwork, only their legal owner can admit them to a vet hospital.
My preference is to have you working with the vet and to have you calling the shots, especially in emergency situations. Most people have long-lasting relationships with their veterinarians so your vet is likely to have a better idea about your preferred way to proceed when medical decisions need to be made. Unless you’re off-the-grid, you and your vet would treat the situation the same as if you were here except you’ll be talking remotely instead of face-to-face.
Even before taking your cat to the vet, I’d try to get ahold of you to describe the situation. If you’re reachable, you’ll be in-the-loop as situations evolve. I do my best to convey whether a situation is critical, urgent, or just something to keep an eye on. I’m happy to act as your eyes, ears, nose, and ambulance. (Hopefully you won’t mind me giving you poop reports even when solid waste is an off color, smell, or texture. I communicate about anything that might possibly indicate a problem. If I ever provide TMI, just tell me that you want less graphic details.)
I don’t want to make decisions about medical care unless you can’t be reached by either me or veterinary staff. I have asked several veterinarians about my Veterinary Release Form, and I was relieved to hear them all say that they also would prefer for you to call the shots. Your doctor will want to discuss the situation directly with you so there won’t be any misunderstandings during a game of telephone while discussing an important medical situation.
