An emergency and critical care facility seems to push for euthanasia due to a perceived lack of funds

Complaint: Complaint 18-31
Respondent: Kelly Baxter
Premises: Arizona Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Center

The complainants' dog was very sick with anal bleeding and suspected digestive issues. They say that when they arrived they were hit up for money, so they called up parents in Florida to obtain $5000 for treatment. The complainants also say they told the facility to do whatever they could to save the dog but felt they were dismissed and pressured into euthanasia rather than treating the dog's potential Addison's disease. Baxter says that she was unaware the complainants had come up with more money and kept coming up with treatment plans to fit within their budget, yet also states she called the complainant's mother and informed her "we may be spending thousands on his care with a guarded prognosis." The findings of fact seem to hint that Baxter thought it would be better to euthanize the dog. The Investigative Committee finding is so short it's easier to simply quote: "The Committee discussed that Respondent did what she could to help the dog. Complainant was distraught as expected."

Motions

Investigative Motion: Dismiss with no violation

Source: February 2, 2018 AM Investigative Committee Meeting
People:
David Stoll Respondent Attorney
Kelly Baxter Respondent
Roll Call:
Christina Tran Aye
Ed Hunter Absent
Mary Williams Aye
Robert Kritsberg Aye
Ryan Ainsworth Aye
Result: Passed

Board Motion: Dismiss with no violation

Source: March 3, 2018 Board Meeting
People:
David Stoll Respondent Attorney
Proposed By: Darren Wright
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.