Bay Animal Clinic

The Proper Way to Kill a Cat and Fire a Client for Discovering Multiple Errors in Judgement:
Cat brought in 1/29/to review new mass in throat
Vet repeatedly advised that cat was otherwise healthy, mobile, input/outputs fineVisually healthy with bright eyes, thick coatVet last saw cat in 2014: loss of fur, gaunt, lack of appetite, staggeringKept overnight on fluids and started on Flagyl oral suspensionDx: 'probably' pancreatitisNo other 'pancreatitis' issues since Had throat tumor removed by different vet in Fall of Dx: Probably thyroid cancer
Vet advised cat 'probably' had pancreatitis flaagain based on bloodworkCould not explain why liver enzymes and other indicators were 1/what they were during pbloodwork seven months earlier but surgical vet did not diagnose or treat the 'probably' pancreatitis
Vet gave cat an injection 'for her stomach'Was later advised it was for nauseaAsked why when she was not visibly nauseous and no one had mentioned there were any problems'I thought you said she was throwing up.' No, that was in
Vet advised he was giving nine pre-filled syringes of oral suspension Buprenex because the cat was and 'probably' had arthritis and 'probably' in painGave no other guidance(30X stronger than morphine, used for popainManufacturer information specifies should not be given to geriatric patients or patients with liver, kidney or thyroid issuesThe cat fit all three contraindications.)
Gave cat first dose of BuprenexOne hour later, pupils dilated, sprawled in strange position in her bedChecked her later and discovered her flat on carpet, breathing very slow and shallow, unable to move enough air to meowAttempted to pick her up gentlyShe screamed in painNo other word to describe itLaid her back on carpet and petted her while on phone with Bay's after hours serviceminutes into call (they're still trying to reach a vet), Molly has several violent seizures and one awful attempt to vomitThen nothing
Thirty minutes later the female vet callsSo sorry Four days later I call the Clinic to discover the female vet never relayed any of the information
I contacted Reckitt Benckiser (manufacturer) about Buprenex and verified that it should not have been given to the catAlso contacted the FDA Veterinary Medicine DivisionThe vet had a duty to submit an Adverse Reaction report to the FDAHe failed to do soI contacted the compounding pharmacy and was advised they provide the solution but the vet's office fills the syringesOf the nine syringes, only one was filled to the correct prescription of mlAll the others were overfilled included several that contained nearly double the amountThe original prescribed amount was within of the maximum dose so the other syringes contained verifiable overdoses of the opioid
Spoke at length with vet and as a reluctant gesture of good faith, I offered to withhold legal and administrative action if he reimbursed us the recent expenses for the cat (including our payment for his negligent and unnecessary euthanasia) by crediting boarding fees for the three short medical trips we had scheduled for this yearHe agreed but stated he had to check with his business partners and his consultant
(We agreed on using comped boarding fees because it would not financially impact the practice and he would continue to be paid for all other services.)
The following day I called to ask if I could bring the dogs in Saturday instead of Sunday in preparation for my son's medical trip to FloridaThe boarding reservation had been in the system for over a monthI was cheerfully told that our 'babies' would no longer be allowed in the Clinic
I asked to speak with the vet and was told they would try to contact him but I shouldn't count on it
So there you have itAs factually and unemotionally as I can write
Dr*** called after a review was submittedHe advised that his Legal Team sent me a certified letter yesterday
(Not yet received)
He sent an email just before he calledIt reads that he has submitted a claim to his Professional Liability Insurance Trust
And he stated he was angry that he had to cancel his family vacation in Florida 'just to handle all this.'
Priorities
Different for everyone