| Complaint: | Complaint 18-85 |
|---|---|
| Respondent: | Stephanie Lamb |
| Premises: | Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital |
The complainant took her elderly ferret to the clinic and was seen by Johnson, the owner. Johnson said the ferret was old and had a painful knee and hip, so the complainant asked him to walk her through the euthanasia process. The ferret did not improve on medication and was in so much pain the complainant could hear it moaning from another room. She called the clinic and set up a euthanasia with Lamb, assured that she was a humane veterinarian. The euthanasia occurred and the complainant states the ferret began writhing and thrashing with the first injection before both urinating and defecating all over the place. The ferret was handed to the complainant after being wiped off and Lamb returned with another syringe after which the ferret's heartbeat stopped. The complainant wanted to speak with the veterinarians and eventually spoke with Bjornebo. After some conversation regarding the color of the injected liquids, the complainant felt a mistake had been made. She states that her concern is not financial but a matter of principle and that she has great concern about what goes on there behind closed doors. She also wants to personally meet with Johnson.
Lamb gives a similar account of the events leading up to the euthanasia. She also states that she told the complainant that the ferret could have difficult breathing or make movements during the sedation. She also concludes that the euthanasia occurred within the guidelines of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
The Investigative Committee found no violations, stating that euthanasia is always emotional and can be disturbing if the animal starts thrashing, vocalizing, defecating, or urinating in its final moments. These are simply "potential normal side effects" of humane euthanasia.
| Source: | July 7, 2018 PM Investigative Committee Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| Stephanie Lamb | Respondent |
| Roll Call: | |
| Adam Almaraz | Aye |
| Amrit Rai | Aye |
| Christine Butkiewicz | Aye |
| Donald Noah | Aye |
| Tamara Murphy | Aye |
| Result: | Passed |
| Source: | August 8, 2018 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| Proposed By: | Nikki Frost |
| Seconded By: | Jessica Creager |
| Roll Call: | |
| Christina Bertch-Mumaw | Aye |
| 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 |
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.