| Complaint: | Complaint 19-52 |
|---|---|
| Respondent: | Candice Horner |
| Premises: | AZPetVet Bell Ridge Animal Hospital |
| Related: | 19-53 |
The complainants say they believe their cat died because of negligent care at Bell Ridge Animal Hospital. Horner was the main veterinarian responsible for their cat's care. They say they took their cat there for a cold and stuffiness which had always cleared up with antibiotics; he would lose a pound and then it would come back. The vet wanted to run a bunch of tests and the complainants agreed. Horner called them back with a prescription dry food, a prescription wet food, a power, fluids under the skin, and a mandate for no more people food. The cat declined over the next two and a half months and the complainants say it was very difficult to get any information from them. They also say that Horner was largely absent from their cat's care and were passed around between vet techs and also to another veterinarian, Heinemann.
Horner's response states that the cat was given a guarded prognosis from the day it was first shown at the clinic because of a poor body condition score and stage 3 dental disease. She says the bloodwork results were not good and she had concerns about renal failure in the cat. She discussed options with the complainants and recommended fluids in hospital but as the cat was disagreeable they decided to do so at home instead. She gives details on the changes and information provided regarding renal disease. She also says that the complainants did not follow her directions. She also says that she did not pass the complainants' pet to techs or other vets.
The Investigative Committee found no violations. They said that to them it was obvious the cat wasn't likely to make it but they weren't sure the complainants were made aware of that by the veterinarian.
| Source: | April 4, 2019 PM Investigative Committee Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| Candice Horner | Respondent |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Roll Call: | |
| Adam Almaraz | Aye |
| Amrit Rai | Aye |
| Christine Butkiewicz | Aye |
| Donald Noah | Aye |
| William Hamilton | Aye |
| Result: | Passed |
| Source: | May 5, 2019 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Proposed By: | Darren Wright |
| Seconded By: | Christina Bertch-Mumaw |
| 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 | 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.