| Complaint: | Complaint 21-125 |
|---|---|
| Respondent: | Mary Ann Bolser |
| Premises: | Canada Hills Animal Hospital |
The complainant says that his dog was treated by multiple veterinary clinics for an autoimmune problem that led to a scabbing nose and significant bleeding. He says Bolser prescribed prednisone that was effective in helping reduce the severity of the condition but led to some massive side effects. He states his dog's appetite quadrupled and drank over two gallons of water a day; two new doggie doors needed to be installed to let the dog out due to frequent pooping and peeing. He says that Bolser increased the dosage on a subsequent visit despite his concerns; the dog apparently ate two agave plants (previously left unmolested for months), got sick, and dropped dead. He says that he emailed Bolser to tell her what happened and warn her but claims he got no response; he wants people to be more aware of the effects that prednisone can have on their pets. (The Findings of Fact state that the dog was taken to another veterinary clinic for a presumed foreign body but that the complainant opted to pursue only supportive care on financial grounds; the dog was said to have done somewhat better but was later found dead at home.)
Bolser's response seems to discuss a lot of complaints that the complainant didn't seem to have (he seemed concerned about the side effects of steroids not being taken seriously). She begins by stating that if she didn't write it in the chart, according to the Board it didn't happen (never a good way to start). She then hints that she showed the complainant pictures of the dog's condition in a dermatology textbook. She also says that she told him that biopsies and skin scrapes were the only way to diagnose the condition but that he turned her down. She also says that he requested more prednisone even after he complained about the side effects; she claims she offered to switch to a different drug and also offered a dermatology referral but these were both turned down. She questions whether the complainant could have spoken to her receptionist as he apparently claimed at some point (perhaps this was in one of his emails?). She also states that when she got back into town she called a different veterinary clinic to get the dog's records; she also asked when they euthanized the dog and was told they hadn't done so. She regrets that costs are always a factor and believes that costs played a role in the complainant treating his dog.
This case didn't go to an Investigative Committee; it went straight to the Board, and from the Board it went to the trashcan.
We were able to contact the complainant and learn more about this case. The entire matter began with the appearance of sores and scabs on the dog's nose. As they didn't improve, he took his dog to the vet, who in turn prescribed a steroid that had absolutely no effect on the problem. A month later the vet increased the dosage and the side-effects were almost immediately obvious; the dog couldn't stop drinking and her appetite couldn't be satisfied.
Unbeknownst to him at the time, the dog was so hungry that she ate two agave plants in the backyard. The plants had been left alone for a year and a half at their new home, so he attributes the dog eating the plants to the ravenous hunger that was a side-effect of the steroids. Despite multiple visits to emergency clinics nobody was able to identify the problem and the dog continued to suffer for a week before she died; the same vet who had prescribed the steroids apparently declined to see her. He didn't notice the plants had been eaten until a week after the dog died.
The complainant raised concerns over the veterinarian's attitude in this particular case, wondering if she truly internalized the risk of side effects inherent in these medications. While the veterinary board dismissed the case, he still hopes that the veterinarian will remember this incident when prescribing steroids in the future. If it saves another pet's life, even indirectly, he believes filing his complaint was worth it.
| Source: | September 9, 2021 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Proposed By: | Nikki Frost |
| 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.