| Complaint: | Complaint 20-100 |
|---|---|
| Respondent: | Kathy Opfenring |
| Premises: | Yuma Veterinary Clinic |
The complainants say that they dropped off their cat for digestive issues and not eating. They state one of them authorized blood work and x-rays and did not receive a call until the next evening. They claim the veterinarians had kept the cat and given him IVs without consent. They also claim they could not reach the clinic and finally received a call that for $50 more they would remove a blockage in the cat's digestive tract. The complainants say they approved that but not the costs incurred so far. They also said they received no further calls the next day and that they're just holding the cat to rack up bills they won't be able to pay. They say their cat is an old cat and they don't want him to suffer, and that they don't have thousands of dollars to spend on an old cat. They say they still have no word regarding the cat's progress or what else has been done to the cat.
Opfenring's response reads more like a novella, detailing the personal histories between the clinic and the client, the difficulties in being a small-town veterinarian in a time when society's basically been ordered to shut down, and basically just trying to keep the lights on and take care of pets under the circumstances. She discusses how she tried to help the cat and provides some context regarding events prior to the complaint. It appears the cat was having problems for quite some time, and she's surprised it was allowed to continue given the complainants' prompt care for their sick horses. She states that she provided supportive care to the cat under the circumstances and when finally able to speak with the complainants quoted only $50 for additional care to try and help them out. Some treatments were delayed due to the large number of emergencies at the short-staffed clinic, but the cat was said to be doing well. At this point a complainant called and accused them of racking up thousands of dollars of bills on the cat. Opfenring then called the complainant and explained that the cat was doing well and that she would not rack up thousands of dollars in costs; the complainant, however, just wanted the cat euthanized and wanted the body ready in an hour. The complainant gave verbal consent to euthanasia to one of the other veterinarians and the euthanasia was performed. Opfenring relates that she attempted to explain the cat was doing quite well but the complainant was angry. She confesses a great deal of confusion as to why the complainants brought the cat in for treatment and then suddenly wanted the cat dead.
The Investigative Committee found that Opfenring did all she could to help the cat and even provided services at reduced fees.
(A first read of this particular case is heartbreaking. One obviously feels worse for the cat, but there's also a distinct tone of pain and puzzlement from Opfenring as to why she was ordered to euthanize this cat. We see in several other cases veterinarians have basically called in the animal cops to intimidate people into killing their, yet we fail to provide someone like Opfenring anybody to call to help save a life.)
| Source: | September 9, 2020 PM Investigative Committee Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| Kathy Opfenring | Respondent |
| Roll Call: | |
| Adam Almaraz | Aye |
| Amrit Rai | Aye |
| Brian Sidaway | Aye |
| Cameron Dow | Aye |
| William Hamilton | Aye |
| Result: | Passed |
| Source: | October 10, 2020 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| Proposed By: | Nikki Frost |
| Seconded By: | Jane Soloman |
| Roll Call: | |
| 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.