| Complaint: | Complaint 18-96 |
|---|---|
| Respondent: | Jennifer Starkel |
| Premises: | AZPetVet Madison Animal Hospital and Grooming |
The complainant had been taking his dog to the clinic to see Starkel and her associate, Samuelson, for two to three years. Starkel prescribed Mometamax eardrops for an ear infection and the dog started to act funny. The complainant eventually concluded that the dog wasn't hearing him well and after doing some tests realized the dog was deaf. He looked up the medication and discovered that deafness is a known side effect. He was also concerned regarding potential contraindications in Cushing's Disease, which the dog also had. He discontinued the medication and washed his dog's ears out, hoping for the best.
Starkel helpfully comments in her response that the drug is not contraindicated in Cushing's Disease. Rather, it is known to cause Cushing's Disease when given for too long. She also says that temporary deafness is a known side effect of the drug and that it's mentioned in the product insert that came with the medication. Starkel says she even contacted the manufacturer and was assured that the drug isn't anything to worry about. She also stated that the complainant wouldn't come in for a face-to-face talk and that she thinks he would never have filed the complaint if he had known what she knows. She also states without citing any source that the complainant's dog's hearing has started to recover.
The Investigative Committee said that it was unfortunate that the dog went deaf but that the little piece of paper in with the meds say that your dog can in fact go deaf from it. They also said that any drug has potential side effects.
| Source: | August 8, 2018 AM Investigative Committee Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Jennifer Starkel | Respondent |
| Roll Call: | |
| Carolyn Ratajack | Aye |
| Christina Tran | Aye |
| Mary Williams | Aye |
| Robert Kritsberg | Aye |
| Ryan Ainsworth | Aye |
| Result: | Passed |
| Source: | September 9, 2018 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| W Reed Campbell | Respondent Attorney |
| Proposed By: | Christina Bertch-Mumaw |
| Seconded By: | Jessica Creager |
| 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.