| Complaint: | Complaint 20-93 |
|---|---|
| Respondent: | Kira Zerkel |
| Premises: | Prescott Area Pet Emergency Hospital |
| Related: | 21-51 |
The complainant's dog started pacing and panting, which they assumed may have been an upset stomach because of a burrito. The symptoms continued and the complainant's husband called Prescott Area Pet Emergency Hospital for advice. He told them about the dog (an Irish Wolfhound) and that the dog ate a burrito; he was told to wait and watch the dog. About an hour later the dog started bleeding profusely from his rectum so he called back. The woman at the clinic, Courtney, said that the veterinarian was not willing to see the dog because the dog was part wolf and could have rabies. They stated that the dog was a wolfhound, not a wolf. They agreed to assess the dog. The complainant's husband drove the dog there and had to wait because a cat was acting crazy in the hospital. A staff member came out, examined the dog, and noted the blood from the rectum, and said the dog seemed fine. He says the staff member told him the wait could be hours and it could cost $1000. The complainant's husband took the advice and brought the dog home. The dog got even worse and his stomach was swelling so they called and were told to bring the dog back in. They did so and were told that they couldn't see the dog and the wait could be hours. So, they brought the dog back home. The dog was in pain so they called and were told to bring the dog back again. This time it appears that they finally admitted the dog but that it was so early in the morning the dog would be best served by being taken to Prescott Animal Hospital instead. Taylor at Prescott Animal Hospital diagnosed the dog with severe bloat and the dog was euthanized. The complainant says that she is a nurse and can't believe this was allowed to happen.
Zerkel tells us that the complainant wasn't allowed inside because of coronavirus restrictions. At the time the dog showed up an "incredibly aggressive and fractious cat" was out of control in the building so the dog could not be brought in for triage. Instead, an assistant, Tristan Oneill, was sent out to examine the dog. She says that he reported only some bloody discharge and that the complainant elected to leave rather than wait. She states that the complainant called several times but never brought the dog back during the night. She says the dog was finally seen there (she even says the complainant's husband was just sitting in the parking lot in his vehicle with the dog but didn't call). She says that when she examined the dog, she made her concerns about the dog very clear, but the complainant elected to take the dog to Prescott Animal Hospital.
The Investigative Committee said that Zerkel wasn't even aware the complainant had been waiting and that there were significant gaps in the records. They sympathized with the clinic considering the difficulties of coronavirus but that the protocols at this clinic were questionable. The Committee felt that the veterinary technician was actually doing the work of a veterinarian in diagnosing the dog. They voted that the board open an investigation into Shantibhushan Jha, the responsible veterinarian for the premises.
Jha gets around, also being the responsible veterinarian for the Animal Medical and Surgical Center in Scottsdale as well as this emergency clinic in Prescott. He's also a prominent participant in the Arizona Animal Welfare League's An Evening to Paws, which raises hundreds of thousands of dollars that are spent at…Animal Medical and Surgical Center.
| Source: | September 9, 2020 AM Investigative Committee Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Kira Zerkel | Respondent |
| Roll Call: | |
| Carolyn Ratajack | Aye |
| Christina Tran | Aye |
| Jarrod Butler | Aye |
| Robert Kritsberg | Aye |
| Steve Seiler | Aye |
| Result: | Passed |
| Source: | October 10, 2020 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Proposed By: | Robyn Jaynes |
| Seconded By: | Jane Soloman |
| Roll Call: | |
| Darren Wright | Aye |
| J Greg Byrne | Absent |
| Jane Soloman | Aye |
| Jessica Creager | Aye |
| Jim Loughead | Nay |
| Nikki Frost | Recused |
| Robyn Jaynes | Aye |
| Sarah Heinrich | Absent |
| Result: | Passed |
| Source: | October 10, 2020 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Proposed By: | Robyn Jaynes |
| Seconded By: | Jane Soloman |
| Roll Call: | |
| Darren Wright | Aye |
| J Greg Byrne | Absent |
| Jane Soloman | Aye |
| Jessica Creager | Aye |
| Jim Loughead | Aye |
| Nikki Frost | Recused |
| 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.