| Complaint: | Complaint 19-58 |
|---|---|
| Respondent: | Emily Blatt |
| Premises: | VCA Valley Animal Hospital |
The complainant's relative brought the dog to VCA because he noticed a discharge. The complainant says he was told that they needed to do x-rays, determined it was an infection (pyometra) and that without removing the uterus the dog would die. Allegedly Blatt showed him an x-ray showing the dog was completely full of an infection. The complainant also worries that no other testing was done prior to the surgery. At surgery it was discovered the dog was actually pregnant with puppies. The complainant is upset that the dog will never ever be able to have puppies and has lost the puppies she had. She also states that her relative is very distraught about the loss of the puppies and would never have agreed had he known.
Blatt's response states that both she and an intern, Chirco, were responsible for the dog's care that night. She states that the initial diagnosis was either pyometra or pregnancy. She also says that the complainant's relative stated there was no way that the dog could be pregnant as the only dog in the house was an elderly pitbull with cancer. Blatt alleges that testing was offered but only the x-rays were agreed to, with all other tests declined. She then states that based on the x-ray images pyometra was considered the most likely diagnosis and surgery was approved. She also states that Chirco reiterated the possibility that the dog could be pregnant, but the complainant's relative said he couldn't handle puppies. He was also told that the puppies would not likely be viable based on the dog's condition. The surgery then occurred on a subsequent shift without Blatt present. She also states that the radiology report received after the fact only serves to confirm their treatment recommendations.
The Investigative Committee said that "it was obvious that discussion took place regarding the dog's possible conditions."
| Source: | May 5, 2019 AM Investigative Committee Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Emily Blatt | Respondent |
| Roll Call: | |
| Carolyn Ratajack | Aye |
| Christina Tran | Aye |
| Jarrod Butler | Aye |
| Mary Williams | Aye |
| Robert Kritsberg | Aye |
| Result: | Passed |
| Source: | June 6, 2019 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Proposed By: | Robyn Jaynes |
| Seconded By: | Sarah Heinrich |
| Roll Call: | |
| Christina Bertch-Mumaw | Absent |
| Darren Wright | Aye |
| J Greg Byrne | Absent |
| Jane Soloman | Aye |
| Jessica Creager | Aye |
| Jim Loughead | Nay |
| Nikki Frost | Absent |
| 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.