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Taking Your Pet to the Vet in France

Book a vet visit, describe what's wrong with your dog, and handle vaccines, the microchip record and the bill.

In France every dog and cat must be identified by a microchip or tattoo and registered in the national I-CAD database, and the vet updates your details when you move. Vets are private, so you pay the full fee on the spot (often 40–60 € for a consultation) unless you have a pet insurance policy, which the French call a mutuelle pour animaux. Rabies vaccination and a European pet passport are required to travel abroad with your animal, and most towns have an urgences vétérinaires service for nights and weekends.

A professional veterinarian in mask examines a dog indoors during a checkup.
Photo: Mikhail Nilov on Pexels
  1. 1

    Je voudrais un rendez-vous pour mon chien.

    I'd like an appointment for my dog.

  2. 2

    Il ne mange plus.

    He's not eating any more.

  3. 3

    Il vomit depuis hier.

    He's been throwing up since yesterday.

  4. 4

    Il boite de la patte arrière.

    He's limping on his back leg.

  5. 5

    Il a l'air très fatigué.

    He seems really tired.

  6. 6

    Il est à jour de ses vaccins ?

    Is he up to date with his vaccinations?

  7. 7

    Voici son carnet de vaccination.

    Here's his vaccination record.

  8. 8

    Il est pucé ?

    Is he microchipped?

    Tip: The chip is compulsory for dogs and cats in France.

  9. 9

    On vient de déménager, il faut changer son adresse.

    We've just moved, I need to update his address.

  10. 10

    Vous pouvez le mettre sur la table, s'il vous plaît ?

    Could you put him on the table, please?

  11. 11

    Je vais prendre sa température.

    I'm going to take his temperature.

  12. 12

    Il a peut-être mangé quelque chose.

    He might have eaten something.

  13. 13

    Il va falloir faire une prise de sang.

    We'll need to do a blood test.

  14. 14

    Donnez-lui un comprimé matin et soir.

    Give him one tablet morning and evening.

  15. 15

    Est-ce qu'il doit rester à jeun ?

    Do I need to keep him from eating?

    Tip: Asked before an operation or a blood test.

  16. 16

    Quand est-ce qu'il faut penser à le faire castrer ?

    When should I think about having him neutered?

  17. 17

    On voudrait l'emmener en vacances en Espagne.

    We'd like to take him on holiday to Spain.

  18. 18

    Il lui faut un passeport ?

    Does he need a passport?

  19. 19

    C'est pris en charge par ma mutuelle ?

    Is it covered by my pet insurance?

  20. 20

    Je peux payer par carte ?

    Can I pay by card?