| Complaint: | Complaint 18-33 |
|---|---|
| Respondent: | Kristen Hale |
| Premises: | Pet Doctor Tucson |
The complainant brought a one-year-old dog in to be spayed while it was in heat. She asked if there were any risks and was informed by the receptionist that it was fine. Hale performed the spay and the dog was brought home, but the dog seemed to not be doing well and had a hard time walking. The dog was very lethargic, but the complainant thought that was a result of the anesthesia from the spay. She brought the dog back the next day for a recheck and had to carry the dog because the dog was too weak. Hale asked to keep the dog for observation. Soon thereafter the complainant received a call that the dog was doing badly. She was not breathing well, that it was difficult to intubate the dog, and that the dog's heart was failing and possibly bleeding internally. The complainant's boyfriend also showed up and was apparently not treated very well. The dog went into arrest and died.
Hale's response states that she was assisted in the spay procedure by Nelson, another veterinarian at the clinic, because of the dog's size and her higher risk with being in heat. The next day Hale examined the dog and found the wound to be healing well but that the dog was excessively lethargic. The dog was monitored throughout the day and started vomiting a dark, blood-like substance late in the afternoon. She initially suspected a reaction to medication but discovered internal bleeding. Exploratory surgery was initiated and couldn't identify a source of bleeding but did find a tear near the right ovarian pedicle. The dog began to go into cardiac arrest, could not be revived, and died. The complainant's boyfriend had arrived but was not allowed to see the dog because she was still cut open on the operating table. He was later allowed to view his dog's corpse. Hale claims his brother showed up and the two of them became threatening, so they called the sheriff on both of them.
Surprisingly, the Investigative Committee did have at least some problems with Hale's handling of the case. The violations were overall relatively minor, failing to monitor the dog and noting a couple of medical records violations. The veterinary board had other ideas and dismissed the case with no violations.
| Source: | February 2, 2018 PM Investigative Committee Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| Kristen Hale | Respondent |
| Roll Call: | |
| Adam Almaraz | Aye |
| Amrit Rai | Aye |
| Christine Butkiewicz | Aye |
| Donald Noah | Aye |
| Tamara Murphy | Aye |
| Violations: | |
| ARS 32-2232 (21) as it relates to AAC R3-11-502 (H (1) failure to obtain signed authorization from the animal owner, or verbal authorization that is witnessed by one other individual, prior to surgery being performed on June 1, 2017. | |
| ARS 32-2232 (21) as it relates to AAC R3-11-502 (L) (7) (b) failure to document the amount of atropine and ace promazine administered to the dog on May 31, 2017. | |
| ARS 32-2232 (12) as it relates to AAC R3-11-501 (1) failure to provide professionally acceptable procedures for not monitoring the dog closely; the dog was moribund to the point that she was able to be intubated without sedation or induction on June 1, 2017. | |
| Result: | Passed |
| Source: | March 3, 2018 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Kristin Hale | Respondent |
| Proposed By: | Robyn Jaynes |
| Seconded By: | Jessica Creager |
| Roll Call: | |
| Christina Bertch-Mumaw | Absent |
| Darren Wright | Aye |
| J Greg Byrne | Aye |
| Jessica Creager | Aye |
| Jim Loughead | Nay |
| Julie Young | Aye |
| Nikki Frost | Aye |
| Robyn Jaynes | Aye |
| Sarah Heinrich | Aye |
| Result: | Passed |
| Source: | April 4, 2018 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Kristen Hale | Respondent |
| Proposed By: | Jessica Creager |
| Seconded By: | Christina Bertch-Mumaw |
| Roll Call: | |
| Christina Bertch-Mumaw | Aye |
| Darren Wright | Aye |
| J Greg Byrne | Aye |
| Jessica Creager | Aye |
| Jim Loughead | Aye |
| Julie Young | Aye |
| Nikki Frost | Absent |
| 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.