A septic dog with pyometra goes in for surgery and discharged to die over the next few days

Complaint: Complaint 21-100
Respondent: Jessica Noll
Premises: 1st Pet Veterinary Centers Phoenix

The complainants say they took their dog to 1st Pet because she wasn't doing well. Noll saw the dog and said the uterus was infected and surgery was required. The complainants say Noll said the odds of recovery were good so they agreed to the surgery. The dog was very sick at home after the surgery and couldn't eat; she was given additional medications at home to coat her throat. The complainants took turns staying around the dog around the clock because they felt she we going to die; the dog weakened to the point that she could no longer lift her head and was taken back to 1st Pet for euthanasia. The complainants say the final veterinarian they saw, Kung, said she was shocked the dog had made it that long because when she first came in she was septic. Kung was also allegedly surprised that no medications had been dispensed to help with the nausea. Apparently she also said that the dog was still in shock from the surgery which makes the complainants wonder why the dog was discharged in such a condition. The complainants note that they spent $6000 and put their dog through a great deal of suffering based on what they believe was a lie on Noll's part. They say their dog was a child to them and nobody should be able to hurt another animal like that again.

Noll says that she examined the dog and noticed a swollen uterus on FAST ultrasound. She says that she spoke with the complainants about pyometra and that the dog would likely die without surgery. She said that surgery or euthanasia were the only options in this case. She also notes that she fully warned the complainants about the risks of surgery and that they agreed. She also notes a subsequent x-ray found potential free fluid in the abdomen and possible peritonitis. Before the surgery she says that additional testing showed the dog had low blood pressure, low blood sugar, and that the infection had spread into the body and the body was trying to fight it. She claims she mentioned there would be an increased risk with surgery and recovery but the complainants wanted to go ahead. Significant peritonitis was noted during the surgery. The dog apparently vomited during anesthesia induction and came out of surgery with unequal pupil sizes; Noll says the latter could have been caused by anything from medications to a stroke. She rounded the case to Toncray (who appears in several 1st Pet veterinary complaints) and went home.

The Investigative Committee said that the dog was very sick when she came into 1st Pet and that the complainants were made aware of the dog's guarded prognosis. Communication could have been better but they blame it on the coronavirus restrictions. They note that most dogs with pyometra are septic but the dog was still a good surgical candidate. (One notes that this horribly sick dog was discharged after two days at 1st Pet only to have a less-than-fun time at home; none of those concerns seem to be discussed at all.)

Motions

Investigative Motion: Dismiss with no violation

Source: August 8, 2021 AM Investigative Committee Meeting
People:
Jessica Noll Respondent
Roll Call:
Carolyn Ratajack Aye
Christina Tran Aye
Jarrod Butler Aye
Robert Kritsberg Aye
Steve Seiler Aye
Result: Passed

Board Motion: Dismiss with no violation

Source: September 9, 2021 Board Meeting
People:
Jessica Noll Respondent
Proposed By: Darren Wright
Seconded By: Jessica Creager
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.