| Complaint: | Complaint 18-55 |
|---|---|
| Respondent: | Todd Metcalf |
| Premises: | Sunshine Holistic Veterinary Services |
The complainant had a cat suffering from newly-onset lethargy, weight, and muscle loss. He had driven by a sign for a holistic veterinarian and prefers alternative and homeopathic practices. He made an appointment and Metcalf did various things including acupuncture and chiropractic treatments; he also says Metcalf suggested the problem may be food-related and recommended blood tests if the problem continued, later prescribing Chinese herbs. The complainant later took the cat to a less alternative veterinarian, Byrnes, who found cancer. The complainant then ordered a holistic remedy for cancer and the cat later died. The complainant said Metcalf wasn't qualified in homeopathic or alternative medicine and used acupuncture needles incorrectly.
Metcalf replies that he graduated from UC Davis and has a broad education in a variety of alternative medicines, maintaining his knowledge through continuing education. He says he's performed treatments over 20,000 times during his years of practice.
The Investigative Committee said that alternative medicine like this is gross negligence, but the veterinary board says that since it's what the customer wanted, it's what the customer got.
| Source: | April 4, 2018 PM Investigative Committee Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Todd Metcalf | Respondent |
| Roll Call: | |
| Adam Almaraz | Aye |
| Amrit Rai | Aye |
| Christine Butkiewicz | Aye |
| Donald Noah | Aye |
| Tamara Murphy | Aye |
| Violations: | |
| ARS 32-2232 (11) Gross negligence; treatment that resulted in unnecessary suffering or death by disregarding established veterinary practices via the absence of a thorough physical exam missing an obvious clinical sign of pathology, performingmanipulative and acupuncture procedures of unproven efficacy and relevance and not recommending radiographs and blood work. | |
| Result: | Passed |
| Source: | May 5, 2018 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Todd Metcalf | Respondent |
| Proposed By: | Sarah Heinrich |
| Seconded By: | Darren Wright |
| 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 |
| 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.