North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) Practice Test

The most appropriate action in this scenario is to require original owner consent or a court order to release information. This is grounded in the principles of veterinary ethics and client confidentiality, which dictate that medical records are proprietary information belonging to the pet's owner. The veterinarian or the clinic has a legal and ethical obligation to protect the privacy of the owner's information, and disclosure can only occur with the owner's explicit consent.

Without this consent, releasing medical records to a third party—even if it is a friend or a family member of the animal owner—violates confidentiality laws and ethical practice standards. Even in situations where the requester claims it is for a legitimate purpose, such as a potential adoption or transfer of care, ensuring that you have proper authorization is essential.

Other options may suggest releasing information in a manner that does not adequately protect the privacy of the original owner or the animal. For instance, giving a copy of medical records without verification of consent would lead to an infringement of confidentiality, and simply providing a summarized version without careful consideration could still expose sensitive information if not done correctly.