Countryside Veterinary Hospital

This matter regards medical information and due to confidentiality issues I am unable to divulge any informationI attempted to call the client but did not receive a call backI have sent him a letter regarding the points he addressedHe is welcome to call us directly and discuss this matter.Sincerely, [redacted] , DVM

*** ***Revdex.comHoliday Drive Suite Pittsburgh, PaID# *** Dear ***, In response to the complaint made by Mr*** *** regarding his dog ***’s treatment and surgery at Countryside Veterinary Hospital***, an year old Boxer was presented on
November 22,for examination of a lump on the right front leg and a lump on the right side of his back that has been increasing in size.Upon examination DrS*** S*** noted a large firm mass - 15xcmson the right dorsal chest. An in-house cytology was performed with Mr*** authorizationA 10xcm firm mass on the right elbow and a 2.9xcmfirm mass on the lateral caudal abdomen were also notedAn oncology referral to Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialists was offered, as was Palladia treatmentMr*** declined and asked to tryother medications firstHe left with the medications, information on mast cell tumors, and an appointment for a re-check in two weeksUpon more extensive examination of the cytology slides that evening DrS*** called the *** She spoke with the sister of Mr*** and explained what her findings were and the graveness of the situation. They opted to monitor and continue medications.*** was seen for a recheck exam on December 6, Some shrinking of the right dorsal mass was noted due to the medications: The owner requested surgeryAn estimate was given to the ownerHe approved the estimate and made arrangements to have the surgery Januay 3, at Countryside Veterinary Hospital. A Superchem CBC was runThere were changes associated with the steroid medicationThese values were rechecked at the time of surgery and were normal. Mr*** admitted *** for the removal of the dorsal chest mass and the right elbow massThe removal of the right elbow mass left a huge dead space and necessitated the placement of a drain to allow.the wound to ’’ooze" blood cells and fluid as it heals and closesRemoval of the dorsal chest mass was also performed.*** was discharged later that evening with slight side effects such as weakness of hind legs from anesthesia which is normalHis condition was goodSeepage from the elbow incision site required re-bandaging at time of dismissalMr*** left with complete and detailed instructions.January 5,Mr*** came in to have the technician change the bandageblood and fluid, drainage in the bandage was noted by DrS*** and she removed the drain because there was no seepage at that timeThe technician put the T-Shirt and pillowcase back on ***, and gave Mr*** instructions to return in days for the suture and staple removal or sooner if owner feels there is a problem.January 8, Mr*** came in for a recheck of ***He said *** had profuse bleeding from the incision site on right elbowWe were closed and owner said he applied pressure until the bleeding stoppedDrLisa F*, who was in that morning for appointments did the recheck on ***The exam was somewhat limited due to ***s hyperactivityShe found the incision over his body wall and release incisions were healing well She thought that the right elbow incision may have had a complete dehiss of suture lineShe recommended that we keep *** for the day so that he could be sedated for better visualization and exam by DrS*** S*Mr*** authorized the stay and DrS*** did a complete exam of the incision areas under sedationShe found the elbow incision still intact and oozing coming from the gaps of the incisionThe leg was rebandaged from the right carpus to the shoulder.The results of the histopath came back from the lab that afternoonWhen DrS*** called Mr*** to explain what was done, his discharge instructions requiring a bandage change in two days and to expect again a slight weakness in the hind legs due to the sedative, she also gave him the results of the histopathThose results confirmed the right elbow mass as a canine soft tissue sarpoma grade and the chest wall mass as a subcutaneous Mast cell tumor***'s possible life span was discussed.January 10,Bandage change appointmentThe technician noted that the elbow incision was seeping and odorousThe bandage was removed and reappliedPer Mr***, January 8, ***s bandage soaked through by the next dayWe received no message regarding this even though we were here from 8:a.mto 8:p.mThe bandage was removed and reappliedMr*** was to come back January 12,for the next bandage changeUpon arriving at the front desk Mr, *** was given the amount of that evenings appointment as well as the January 8,appointmentMr***, who from his first appointment with us had been pleased and appreciative, became very loud and insisted on speaking to DrS***He told her how upset he was over the cost of each bandage change and refused to pay for any bandage changes because he feels "she made a mistake and now his dog is going to bleed to deathDrS*** was very understanding and patientShe again explained the large dead space left when the tumor was removed from an area of the body that has a lot of mobility.*** is not actively bleedingThis ooze is fluid and red blood cells and this is the body's way of taking care of the large dead spaceMr*** feels it is not healing and his dog is bleeding to deathIt is healing but it will take longer because of the large dead space and the fact that it involves the elbow joint which is always movingBefore leaving he changed his appointment to one with the ownerHe was told that payment on previous balances needed to be paid prior to the appointment.January 11,Mr*** called to see if his-records could be copiedThe receptionist told him yes but he would need to clear his billHe refusedLater the receptionist called to confirm his appointment for the following dayShe informed him that the appointment could not be confirmed without payment and again he refused asking to speak with DrLisa F*DrLisa called Mr*** back and explained that we cannot add bandage changes into the amount of the surgery bill in case of potential post op complicationsWe ask for payment as services are renderedHe then said that he should not have to pay for DrS***'s mistakeDrLisa explained there was no mistakeMr*** said that she (DrLisa) told him that Dr, S*** made a mistakeMi’*** was clearly not going to accept any of the explanations we had given nor was he going to stop yelling and accusingDrLisa wished him a happy day and hung up.January 12,we received a phone call from a woman who said her brother was here the week before with his dog who had surgeryShe said they called other vets who said the dog should not have a seeping or discharge at all When asked, she would not identify herself or her brotherShe just yelled obscentities at the technician,We feel confident that everything we did was handled correctly and explained correctly in the best interest for ***For this reason we do not feel monetary restitution is appropriate.Sincerely,Dottie B*** Office Manager

This matter regards medical information and due to confidentiality issues I am unable to divulge any information. I attempted to call the client but did not receive a call back. I have sent him a letter regarding the points he addressed. He is welcome to call us directly and discuss this...

matter.Sincerely, [redacted], DVM