| Complaint: | Complaint 18-35 |
|---|---|
| Respondent: | Kenneth Halbach |
| Premises: | Buena Pet Clinic |
The complainant brought her old dog to Halbach for a checkup and preparation for a dental. The complainant followed up and was told the dog was good to go but still had concerns as some supportive therapy such as IV fluids weren't on the estimate. They proceeded with the dental, but the dog died. The complainant later reviewed the dog's labs and found some concerns, also discovering that Halbach had been found guilty of killing a dog in vet board complaint 09-100 as a result of failing to interpret lab results.
Halbach states that he was very clear and warned the complainant about the risks of anesthesia. He also claims he was the one who recommended IV fluids be provided. He also provides some detail on his attempts to revive the dog. Lastly, he states that he performs about five procedures a week requiring anesthesia and the last time he lost one was a decade prior.
The Investigative Committee felt that the abnormal blood work would not have suggested any problems such as dropping dead during a dental. However, they did find that Halbach used dosages of anesthetic agents that were too high. The veterinary board sentenced Halbach to pay a $500 fine and take eight hours of continuing education.
| Source: | February 2, 2018 PM Investigative Committee Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| Kenneth Halbach | Respondent |
| Roll Call: | |
| Adam Almaraz | Aye |
| Amrit Rai | Aye |
| Christine Butkiewicz | Aye |
| Donald Noah | Aye |
| Tamara Murphy | Aye |
| Violations: | |
| ARS 32-2232 (12) as it relates to AAC R3-11-501 (1) failure to use current professional and scientific knowledge for using elevated doses of atropine and acepromazine. | |
| Result: | Passed |
| Source: | March 3, 2018 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Proposed By: | Julie Young |
| Seconded By: | Nikki Frost |
| Roll Call: | |
| Christina Bertch-Mumaw | Absent |
| Darren Wright | Nay |
| J Greg Byrne | Aye |
| Jessica Creager | Nay |
| Jim Loughead | Nay |
| Julie Young | Aye |
| Nikki Frost | Aye |
| Robyn Jaynes | Nay |
| Sarah Heinrich | Nay |
| Result: | Failed |
| Source: | March 3, 2018 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Proposed By: | Robyn Jaynes |
| Seconded By: | Sarah Heinrich |
| Roll Call: | |
| Christina Bertch-Mumaw | Absent |
| Darren Wright | Nay |
| J Greg Byrne | Aye |
| Jessica Creager | Aye |
| Jim Loughead | Aye |
| Julie Young | Aye |
| Nikki Frost | Nay |
| Robyn Jaynes | Aye |
| Sarah Heinrich | Aye |
| Violations: | |
| ARS 32-2232 (12) Failure to provide professionally acceptable procedures | |
| Result: | Passed |
| Source: | March 3, 2018 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Proposed By: | Sarah Heinrich |
| Seconded By: | Julie Young |
| Roll Call: | |
| Christina Bertch-Mumaw | Absent |
| Darren Wright | Nay |
| J Greg Byrne | Aye |
| Jessica Creager | Aye |
| Jim Loughead | Aye |
| Julie Young | Aye |
| Nikki Frost | Nay |
| Robyn Jaynes | Aye |
| Sarah Heinrich | Aye |
| Result: | Passed |
| Source: | May 5, 2018 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Kenneth Halbach | Respondent |
| Proposed By: | Nikki Frost |
| Seconded By: | Christina Bertch-Mumaw |
| Roll Call: | |
| Christina Bertch-Mumaw | Aye |
| Darren Wright | Aye |
| J Greg Byrne | Nay |
| Jessica Creager | Recused |
| Jim Loughead | Aye |
| Julie Young | Aye |
| Nikki Frost | Aye |
| Robyn Jaynes | Aye |
| Sarah Heinrich | Aye |
| Violations: | |
| ARS 32-2232 (12) Failure to provide professionally acceptable procedures | |
| Result: | Passed |
| Source: | May 5, 2018 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Kenneth Halbach | Respondent |
| Proposed By: | Nikki Frost |
| Violations: | |
| ARS 32-2232 (12) Failure to provide professionally acceptable procedures | |
| Result: | Failed (no second) |
| Source: | May 5, 2018 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Kenneth Halbach | Respondent |
| Proposed By: | Nikki Frost |
| Seconded By: | Julie Young |
| Roll Call: | |
| Christina Bertch-Mumaw | Aye |
| 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 |
| Violations: | |
| ARS 32-2232 (12) Failure to provide professionally acceptable procedures | |
| Result: | Passed |
| Source: | May 5, 2018 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Kenneth Halbach | Respondent |
| Proposed By: | Nikki Frost |
| Seconded By: | Darren Wright |
| Roll Call: | |
| Christina Bertch-Mumaw | Unknown |
| Darren Wright | Unknown |
| J Greg Byrne | Unknown |
| Jessica Creager | Unknown |
| Jim Loughead | Unknown |
| Julie Young | Unknown |
| Nikki Frost | Unknown |
| Robyn Jaynes | Unknown |
| Sarah Heinrich | Unknown |
| Result: | Failed |
| Source: | May 5, 2018 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Kenneth Halbach | Respondent |
| Proposed By: | Sarah Heinrich |
| Seconded By: | Jessica Creager |
| Roll Call: | |
| Christina Bertch-Mumaw | Nay |
| Darren Wright | Aye |
| J Greg Byrne | Nay |
| Jessica Creager | Aye |
| Jim Loughead | Nay |
| Julie Young | Aye |
| Nikki Frost | Aye |
| Robyn Jaynes | Aye |
| Sarah Heinrich | Aye |
| Violations: | |
| ARS 32-2232 (12) Failure to provide professionally acceptable procedures | |
| Result: | Passed |
| Source: | June 6, 2018 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| Proposed By: | Nikki Frost |
| Seconded By: | Sarah Heinrich |
| Roll Call: | |
| Christina Bertch-Mumaw | Absent |
| Darren Wright | Aye |
| J Greg Byrne | Absent |
| Jessica Creager | Aye |
| Jim Loughead | Aye |
| Julie Young | Aye |
| Nikki Frost | Aye |
| Robyn Jaynes | Aye |
| Sarah Heinrich | Aye |
| Result: | Passed |
| Source: | Order 18035 (July 7, 2018) |
|---|---|
| Violations: | |
| A.R.S. § 32-2232 (12) as it relates to A.A.C. R3-11-501 (1) failure to provide professionally acceptable procedures for not communicating with the pet owner the interpretation of the blood work. | |
| A.R.S. § 32-2232 (12) as it relates fo A.A.C. R3-11-501 (1) failure to provide professionally acceptable procedures and use current professional and scientific knowledge for using outdated anesthetic protocol of atropine and acepromazine followed by mask induction when other viable options are available to avoid undue stress on the patient. | |
| Penalties: | |
| Probation (1 year) | |
| Continuing education (4 hours in anesthesia) | |
| Continuing education (4 hours in client communication) | |
| Civil penalty ($500) | |
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.