| Complaint: | Complaint 20-10 |
|---|---|
| Respondent: | Terry Gammill |
| Premises: | Tempe Veterinary Hospital |
| Related: | 20-11, 20-64 |
The complainant tells us that Gammill said her dog would need a dental cleaning done before her dog's bleeding gums and tumor examined, but that all treatments would be done the same day. She says she was concerned about anesthesia in an older dog but that she was assured everything would be done in one procedure to minimize the risks. She says that when she picked up her dog she was under the impression everything had been done, but she learned differently in a follow-up visit from Wells. Wells apparently told her that the things they didn't get the first time he would do on the second surgery. She has concerns about how and when the biopsy was performed and claims she was told by a specialist that the sample taken during the procedure was inadequate. She believes the veterinarians took advantage of her ignorance and her emotional state and that their conduct led to the subsequent death of her dog. She says that under the circumstances she should have been referred to a specialist immediately.
Gammill's response tells us that he doesn't remember the complainant or her dog as he's worked at over 40 different veterinary hospitals over the last 10 years as a relief veterinarian. He tells us that based on the medical records he has for that day, three growths and a tooth were removed. A biopsy was taken and sent to IDEXX which yielded a diagnosis of giant cell granuloma. He also says that he won't be around much (out of the country or working) and should be contacted by telephone.
The Investigative Committee discussed things that weren't even part of the complaint, such as the appropriateness of Gammill not contacting the complainant as he was only a relief veterinarinan. There is discussion of Wells finding a loose tooth on the next visit but they can't say whether the tooth was also loose when Gammill performed his surgery; they tell us that the tooth wasn't involved in the tumor but that "the tumor was very evasive." (I'm assuming they meant invasive here?) They also said that the tumor the dog ended up having could have shown up as it did on the biopsy, and there was no fault on the part of Wells or Gammill. There are some interesting notes in the findings of fact whereby it appears that the complainant says she was told not to worry about the tumor, but Wells apparently advised her that it was very serious and that she needed to go to a specialist. It also appears that another veterinarian, Pullen, provided a second opinion and may have said some less-than-complimentary things about Wells and Gammill. As a result, the Investigative Committee suggested opening an investigation against Pullen for saying bad things about a fellow veterinarian. The Board agreed and opened case 20-64 to investigate Pullen for allegedly criticizing Wells and Gammill in front of the complainant.
| Source: | November 11, 2019 PM Investigative Committee Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| Terry Gammill | Respondent |
| Roll Call: | |
| Adam Almaraz | Aye |
| Amrit Rai | Aye |
| Brian Sidaway | Aye |
| Christine Butkiewicz | Aye |
| William Hamilton | Aye |
| Result: | Passed |
| Source: | January 1, 2020 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Proposed By: | Darren Wright |
| Seconded By: | Jessica Creager |
| Roll Call: | |
| Christina Bertch-Mumaw | Absent |
| Darren Wright | Aye |
| J Greg Byrne | Absent |
| 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.