Can I sell a veterinary practice's client records the same way as a medical practice?

The general approach is similar, though a veterinary practice is governed by its own college with its own expectations, so the two shouldn't be treated as identical. Veterinarians, like physicians, generally owe confidentiality and recordkeeping obligations to their clients (in this case, the animal's owner) that continue regardless of a sale, and the College of Veterinarians of Ontario expects those obligations to be respected through a practice transition, including appropriate notice to clients about the change in ownership.

One practical difference is that veterinary clients are often used to seeing multiple practitioners within the same clinic already, which can make a change in ownership feel less disruptive than a solo medical practice changing hands, but the underlying legal obligations — confidentiality, proper handling of records, giving clients a real choice about where their animal's records go — apply just the same. Records for active treatment plans, medication schedules, and any ongoing care also need a clear handover plan so nothing falls through the cracks during the transition.

Confirming the College of Veterinarians of Ontario's current expectations for practice sales, and building a client notice and record-transfer process alongside the purchase agreement, is the practical starting point.