| Complaint: | Complaint 18-28 |
|---|---|
| Respondent: | Hanna Wachtel |
| Premises: | 1st Pet Veterinary Centers Chandler |
The complainant's dog broke her leg, so they went to 1st Pet and were seen by Wachtel. She examined the dog and discussed surgery or amputation, sending the dog home with the leg splinted with a wire coat hanger. The complainant goes on to say that when this was discovered he was shocked, and he also mentions that subsequent veterinarians were "completely appalled" at the use of the hanger for the splint. He also blames the use of the splint for the subsequent loss of the entire leg. He concludes by saying he knows of other instances where this was done and doesn't want it to happen again.
Wachtel points out that the use of a wire coat hanger for a splint is actually correct in this case. Other splints would not have provided the necessary strength relative to the weight of the splint, and she also points to a veterinary medicine textbook that cites the use of these in "very small animals." She also notes that the complainant never came back to speak to their surgeon.
The Investigative Committee comes down in favor of the respondent, essentially confirming her explanation as to why the wire coat hanger was used as a splint. They do suggest that it could have been better explained to have avoided the entire complaint in the first place, and they basically say that there's no way this leg would have healed without surgery anyway. While it's true that wire splints like this do find use in veterinary medicine, the Committee appears to have avoided discussing at least one of their findings of fact: the veterinarian who finally ended up having to amputate the leg apparently said that another kind of splint should have been used instead.
| Source: | February 2, 2018 AM Investigative Committee Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Hanna Wachtel | Respondent |
| Roll Call: | |
| Christina Tran | Aye |
| Ed Hunter | Absent |
| Mary Williams | Aye |
| Robert Kritsberg | Aye |
| Ryan Ainsworth | Aye |
| Result: | Passed |
| Source: | March 3, 2018 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Proposed By: | Sarah Heinrich |
| Seconded By: | Jessica Creager |
| Roll Call: | |
| Christina Bertch-Mumaw | Absent |
| Darren Wright | Aye |
| J Greg Byrne | Aye |
| Jessica Creager | Aye |
| Jim Loughead | Aye |
| Julie Young | Aye |
| Nikki Frost | Aye |
| Robyn Jaynes | Aye |
| Sarah Heinrich | Aye |
| Result: | Passed |
The primary source for the above summary was obtained as a public record from the Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board. You are welcome to review the original records and board meeting minutes by clicking the relevant links. While we endeavor to provide an accurate summary of the complaint, response, investigative reports and board actions, we encourage you to review the primary sources and come to your own conclusions. In some cases we have also been able to reach out to individuals with knowledge of specific complaints, and where possible that information will be included here.