| Complaint: | Complaint 19-51 |
|---|---|
| Respondent: | Ashley Joy |
| Premises: | Prescott Animal Hospital |
The complainant took her cat in for a dental with Joy. The cat went in for the dental, and the complainant got a call that the cat had arrested and CPR was being performed. The complainant went to the hospital and found the cat was not responding and on life support. The cat was then eventually transferred to the local emergency hospital where the cat had seizures and was diagnosed as likely unable to recover (and if he did, he would have basically been a vegetable). The cat was euthanized. The complainants relate that a conversation with Skinner (responsible veterinarian for the premises) that the cat didn't get enough oxygen and that they weren't aware at the time because nobody was monitoring the cat. Skinner allegedly told them that they were considering enhancing their anesthesia protocol. The complainants also attach a rather heartfelt letter written to the clinic about their family, their cats, and their concerns about the clinic's decline in care prior to the cat's death; they blame themselves for going there one last time when they felt the overall standard of care had been declining.
Joy's response has a lot of medical information regarding dosages, anesthesia induction, and the like. The most relevant parts are where she states the cat was taken out into recovery and then five minutes later a dental technician went to check on the cat and discovered he was in respiratory arrest. Joy says she went to the cat and discovered both respiratory and cardiac arrest. We're then also given an account of resuscitation efforts, along with the transfer and subsequent euthanasia at Prescott Area Pet Emergency Hospital. She also called a BluePearl franchise for advice. Upon learning the cat had died she offered necropsy at one of three locations, either their clinic, the emergency hospital, or Midwestern.
The Investigative Committee's discussion is a weird one. They first discussed that the cat's care met all legal requirements and perhaps suffered from some unknown condition. Some members felt the cat should have been monitored better. A vote was taken to dismiss with no violation, but we have no vote count nor a roll call. They then had more discussions and had concerns about Skinner's operation of the hospital and asked the Board to consider an investigation. They then voted again to dismiss with no violation and it passed unanimously. The board also voted to dismiss with no violation (2 recusals, Frost and Bertch). It does not appear there was a motion to open an investigation about Skinner or Prescott Animal Hospital.
Kenneth Skinner was a former president with the Arizona Veterinary Medical Association. Prescott Animal Hospital was also co-owned by former Board member and future Board investigator Steven Dow, and his stake later passed on to his son, veterinarian and Board investigator Cameron Dow.
| Source: | April 4, 2019 AM Investigative Committee Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| Ashley Joy | Respondent |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Roll Call: | |
| Carolyn Ratajack | Unknown |
| Christina Tran | Unknown |
| Jarrod Butler | Unknown |
| Mary Williams | Unknown |
| Robert Kritsberg | Unknown |
| Result: | Failed |
| Source: | April 4, 2019 AM Investigative Committee Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| Ashley Joy | Respondent |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Roll Call: | |
| Carolyn Ratajack | Aye |
| Christina Tran | Aye |
| Jarrod Butler | Aye |
| Mary Williams | Aye |
| Robert Kritsberg | Aye |
| Result: | Passed |
| Source: | May 5, 2019 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Proposed By: | Robyn Jaynes |
| Seconded By: | Darren Wright |
| Roll Call: | |
| Christina Bertch-Mumaw | Recused |
| Darren Wright | Aye |
| J Greg Byrne | Aye |
| Jane Soloman | Aye |
| Jessica Creager | Aye |
| Jim Loughead | Aye |
| Nikki Frost | Recused |
| Robyn Jaynes | Aye |
| 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.