| Complaint: | Complaint 19-45 |
|---|---|
| Respondent: | Brandon Prince |
| Premises: | Foothills Animal Hospital |
The complainant says she brought her dog to Prince after being treated for Cushing's disease for six years in Spokane with a special diet. She wanted him to look at a infection on the dog's upper lip as well as major cognitive changes, blindness, and deafness. She had previously brought in records but says that Prince wasn't aware of them. She says Prince said the diagnosis of Cushing's was incorrect as it couldn't be managed with diet and said that the dog's blindness was something they could live with as the dog wasn't "driving cars or reading books." He wanted to do repeat lab work but agreed to review the existing lab work and said he would call back but allegedly never did. The dog deteriorated markedly with being disoriented, falling down, and losing any remaining sight, and managed to get another appointment. The complainant wanted euthanasia, but a staff member allegedly said that Prince wouldn't do it. The complainant says she worked in veterinary medicine for 19 years and couldn't believe the lack of compassion. She eventually shopped around and found another veterinarian to euthanize the dog.
Prince's response details some of his concerns about the dog's history including the fact that Cushing's was being managed with a special diet. He also says the complainant began discussing euthanasia at the first visit but that he responded the dog seemed as though he was doing well, if going blind, but was otherwise bright, alert, wagging, and was able to find his way around the room. He also tried to educate her that Cushing's is actually manageable. He states the complainant was still interested in euthanasia, so he recommended a second opinion or rehoming the dog through a local senior animal rescue. On the second visit he states that he informed the complainant via the receptionist that he would be happy to reexamine the dog but would not support euthanasia without a medical reason to do so. He states she left the clinic before he could see the dog that day.
The Investigative Committee in one of its less-controversial statements concluded that, in fact, you can't treat Cushing's disease with a diet and thought something else weird is going on here. They also note that Prince was well within his bounds to refuse to euthanize the dog.
As an aside, while Prince doesn't look great in 18-103, it is genuinely moving reading his response about the ill-fated dog. Reading most of these records leaves one with the notion that a dog with serious health problems gets classified as being unworthy of life by most veterinarians. It was endearing that in this case the vet thought that an old dog with more than a few health problems was worth keeping around.
| Source: | March 3, 2019 PM Investigative Committee Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| Brandon Prince | Respondent |
| Roll Call: | |
| Adam Almaraz | Aye |
| Amrit Rai | Aye |
| Christine Butkiewicz | Aye |
| Donald Noah | Aye |
| William Hamilton | Aye |
| Result: | Passed |
| Source: | April 4, 2019 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Proposed By: | Christina Bertch-Mumaw |
| Seconded By: | Jessica Creager |
| Roll Call: | |
| Christina Bertch-Mumaw | Aye |
| Darren Wright | Aye |
| J Greg Byrne | Aye |
| Jane Soloman | Aye |
| Jessica Creager | Aye |
| Jim Loughead | Aye |
| Nikki Frost | Aye |
| Robyn Jaynes | Absent |
| Sarah Heinrich | Absent |
| 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.