| Complaint: | Complaint 18-89 |
|---|---|
| Respondent: | Ariel Loredo |
| Premises: | BluePearl Avondale |
The complainant says that while she was away her dog got really sick, so she had her sister take her dog to BluePearl Avondale. Loredo performed an ultrasound and informed her that her dog had a uterine infection and needed emergency surgery. She says that she was asked about x-rays and agreed to them after Loredo told her that if it were her dog she would want them. She later learns from Loredo that the uterus was completely fine, but the gallbladder was extremely abnormal. She asks about x-ray results only to be told that she didn't request them. The complainant concludes that she felt that BluePearl was only out for money and that after $3000 for surgery her dog still had no diagnosis and was no better. She also says that Loredo's demeanor toward her changed markedly after she elected not to leave the dog in observation for an additional $1700.
Loredo's response goes into a significant level of medical detail, even knowing precisely how the triage technician carried the dog to the back. The most significant findings were a distended abdomen, dullness, and leakage from the vulva. She states that the dog was in a lot of pain. Apparently, the dog was at BluePearl Phoenix several days prior with no diagnosis. Loredo says the complainant approved additional diagnostics but not x-rays. The dog went to surgery and a massively enlarged bladder was found instead. Loredo says she spoke with the complainant again and now learned that the dog could not walk and was being carried, making her suspicious for a neurological issue and recommending referral. She said that the dog had a poor prognosis but that they could perform a spay and remove an unrelated mammary mass while inside and the complainant apparently agreed.
Even with the dog's bad day, it appears it could have gotten worse. While the dog was still in BluePearl Avondale's care another veterinarian, Barnard, began suspecting seizure activity and wanted to begin treating with antiseizure medications because the dog was crying or barking. Thankfully, once the dog was given back to its family they took her to another vet, Johnsen, at Van Aken Pet Hospital who quickly found a ruptured disc. The dog was apparently hospitalized for another week for treatment. It also appears that there was in fact a signed estimate that included x-rays as the complainant had claimed.
The Investigative Committee discussion says that Loredo was not at fault as she believed x-rays were declined and that the exploratory surgery wasn't unreasonable under the circumstances. They also say they don't know what would have happened if the x-rays had been done or not, as perhaps if they had shown a spine injury, the surgery would not have been done, and the bladder issue might have killed the dog instead. So, they concluded it was fine either way. There is no discussion about why Loredo would claim the complainant declined x-rays when the complainant said she approved them and her sister signed the estimate containing them. No violations were found.
The veterinary board minutes indicate that the board voted to disagree and dismiss with no violation, but it appears that the Investigative Committee found no violation either. In any event, the board did send out a letter of concern.
| Source: | July 7, 2018 PM Investigative Committee Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| Ariel Loredo | 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: | Christina Bertch-Mumaw |
| Seconded By: | Robyn Jaynes |
| 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 |
| Source: | August 8, 2018 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| Proposed By: | Nikki Frost |
| Seconded By: | Christina Bertch-Mumaw |
| Roll Call: | |
| Christina Bertch-Mumaw | Aye |
| Darren Wright | Aye |
| J Greg Byrne | Absent |
| Jessica Creager | Aye |
| Jim Loughead | Nay |
| 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.