| Complaint: | Complaint 20-09 |
|---|---|
| Respondent: | Dawn Bachman |
| Premises: | Southern Arizona Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center |
The complainant tells us that after taking her cat to The Cat Hospital for an ear issue (something that had apparently been ongoing for three years), she was referred to Southern Arizona Veterinary Specialty and Emergency. Once there, she says she waited for two hours with a stressed cat in a carrier followed by a ten-minute examination. She says she was charged $683 to be told that there was no diagnosis and that the cat needed to be "scanned" at a different facility. She says that after talking to The Cat Hospital they told her that she was accidentally sent to the wrong veterinarian. The complainant says that as a human health professional she was "appalled" by the conduct of both veterinarians and wanted the Board to investigate. She apologizes for the delay in filing the complaint but states she had been suffering from health issues of her own.
Bachman's response references the medical record (which we don't get to see) as well as a statement from her technician (which we also don't get to see). She gives a very lengthy description of her encounter the complainant, discussing how she reviewed the records sent over and then discussed the cat's history. She says that she discussed food allergies, changes to diet, ataxia, chronic diarrhea, and urinary issues, followed by an exam of the cat's ears. She then said that a CT scan is often the best way to examine the middle and inner ear but that a CT is only available at their other location. There was apparently some fluid in the ear but further examination wasn't possible without sedation as the cat was not happy about being there. Bachman then tells us that the discussion turned to matters fecal and urinary, an estimate with an internal medicine consult, and urine and feces collection. Bachman says that the complainant went home with discharge instructions and antibiotics. The next thing she heard was that the complainant had complained she was not sure she had even talked to a doctor. Bachman says she called the complainant to talk about the matter and the complainant "appeared to not recall our detailed discussions from two days prior." We also learn that one of the treatments included changing a green pea and venison diet to a rabbit and potato diet.
The Investigative Committee said that Bachman spent a lot of time with the complainant. They also address the complainant's concerns regarding the fees by stating that she signed the treatment estimate.
| Source: | October 10, 2019 PM Investigative Committee Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Dawn Bachman | Respondent |
| Roll Call: | |
| Adam Almaraz | Aye |
| Amrit Rai | Aye |
| Brian Sidaway | Aye |
| Christine Butkiewicz | Aye |
| William Hamilton | Aye |
| Result: | Passed |
| Source: | November 11, 2019 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| Proposed By: | Jessica Creager |
| Seconded By: | Jane Soloman |
| Roll Call: | |
| Christina Bertch-Mumaw | Aye |
| Darren Wright | Aye |
| J Greg Byrne | Aye |
| Jane Soloman | Aye |
| Jessica Creager | Aye |
| Jim Loughead | Aye |
| 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.