The complainant tells us she took her cat to Tryon because he had a weird cough and
hard swallowing. She says Tryon ran blood work and said that the cat needed a dental.
He allegedly told her the coughing was due to hairballs which the complainant doubted.
She took the cat back several months later, at which point the condition had gotten
worse. She brought video of the cat's coughing fits. She says Tryon didn't recommend
any x-rays or repeat blood work but gave the cat a steroid shot. She had to take the
cat to another emergency facility where the cat was diagnosed with congestive heart
failure and fluid in his lungs. The complainant also alleges that the veterinarian
at VetMed suggested the steroid shot could have made the situation worse. The
complainant has had thousands of dollars in expenses along with the suffering of the
cat and believes this could have been avoided if Tryon had done a better job.
Tryon says that he had examined the cat several times and that except for the last
visit the complainant never mentioned any coughing or breathing problems. He also says
that he never noticed any problems with the cat's respiratory or cardiovascular health
during any of these other examinations. He says that after reviewing the video the
complainant provided he recommended x-rays as well as blood work and steroids. He says
the complainant turned down x-rays while waiting to see if the steroid worked.
The Investigative Committee found a violation on the grounds that Tryon didn't recommend
radiographs during the last visit. Tryon specifically states that he did suggest them so
we're left in the dark as to why the investigators concluded he didn't. One might expect
a note saying that they weren't mentioned in the medical record. It would be even more
interesting if they were mentioned in the medical record. The Board found Tryon guilty
and made him take four hours in continuing education for congestive heart failure and
thoracic diseases.
ARS 32-2232 (12) as it relates to AAC R3-11-501 (1) failure to provide professionally acceptable procedure by not recommending thoracic radiographs on June 15, 2019.
A.R.S. ยง 32-2232 (12) as it relates to A.A.C. R3-11-501 (1) failure to provide professionally acceptable procedures by not recommending thoracic radiographs on June 15, 2019.
Penalties:
Probation (1 year)
Continuing education (4 hours in congestive heart failure/thoracic diseases)
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.