Altered Tails Barnhart Clinic

Review: At 7:00 am on 1/7/2016, my wife and daughter dropped of our 5 month old puppy that we adopted at 6 weeks old to be neutered. Shortly after 8:30 am, we received a call that our puppy, [redacted] had died. The initial explanation was that an anesthesia machine malfunction had occurred. I called Altered Tails at approximately 9:00 am and was told that it was actually operator error. A valve had been adjusted when the anesthesia equipment was cleaned, and [redacted]had been denied oxygen without anyone noticing until it was too late to revive him.

The clinic director was very sympathetic and apologetic, and I appreciate her taking responsibility for his death. However, I cannot believe that this resulted from a simple error, but rather from gross negligence. How nobody noticed that a very healthy 5 month old puppy was not getting oxygen for a period long enough to cause his heart to fail (based on what I was told by the clinic director) is beyond me. Supposedly the heart monitor went off during surgery with the doctor right there. I cannot believe that if someone were attentive to him the entire time he was sedated that he could be deprived of oxygen that long without someone noticing.

Nothing can bring my dog back, but I would like this investigated so that the entire truth comes out, and any appropriate action against the clinic be taken. I also want to publicize [redacted] story and whatever findings come from the investigation to warn other pet owners of the situation involving this clinic and my dog.Desired Settlement: See above in complaint.

Business

Response:

Altered Tails acknowledges receipt of Complaint ID#[redacted] from [redacted] dated January 13, 2016 and received by Altered Tails on January 20, 2016. With regard to [redacted]’s statement of the problem, Altered Tails acknowledges that there was a human error that was made and resulted in the death of [redacted]’s dog, [redacted] Altered Tails wishes to express our sincere sympathy to the [redacted]family at the loss of [redacted] We share in their grief. Altered Tails staff has a passion for animals and we work hard to provide the community with high quality, low cost spay/neuter services. Unfortunately, because we are human, we are not infallible. After the incident with [redacted] we provided [redacted] and his family with an honest and complete accounting of the events that led to his death. We acknowledged our mistake. While no amount of sympathy will bring back their beloved [redacted] this type of error has never before happened at Altered Tails and we have taken steps to ensure that such a human error will not reoccur. Ellen [redacted]Executive DirectorAltered Tails Barnhart Clinic[redacted]