| Complaint: | Complaint 21-126 |
|---|---|
| Respondent: | Jade Lanier |
| Premises: | Arizona Avenue Animal Clinic |
The complainant and her family adopted a stray cat and took her to the vet to see if she was healthy and had previously been spayed. The complainant was told that the cat had not been spayed (though we're led to believe there was some confusion) so she set up a spay appointment. She got a call from Lanier after the surgery telling her that the cat had alredy been spayed. Lanier allegedly said there were no physical signs but an x-ray could have determined this in advance; however, it wasn't suggested because an x-ray would have been "very expensive." She went to pick up her cat and was then told that the uterus would not have shown up on x-ray or ultrasound; there was a blood test that could have been done but that was also "very expensive." The complainant and her cat were then sent home with painkiller injections and no instructions on how to give them.
Lanier's response details that no outward signs of a previous spay were found during her examination so a spay was recommended. They went in and did the spay and then discovered "a uterine stump and cervix present and no ovaries around the kidneys." She says she talked to the complainant's daughter and said that if the cat had been spayed early in life that there may not have been a scar. Lanier also relates that the complainant asked why x-ray or ultrasound wouldn't have found this; Lanier states that they couldn't have seen this on x-ray or ultrasound unless the cat was infected or pregnant. The complainant also asked about hormonal testing but Lanier says she told her that these are expensive and unreliable. She also claims that the cat was sent home with pain medications and an instruction sheet.
The Investigative Committee said that it was a "learning experience" for Lanier and that "there are no conclusive diagnostics to determine if a cat has been spayed." They suggest that Lanier will probably wait to see if a cat goes into heat before cutting on another one.
Going into heat, of course, would be rather conclusive, so one does wonder why that wouldn't be considered more the standard of care. One might also suggest reading Ultrasonography of the normal reproductive tract of the female domestic cat by Gatel et al. (link), in which they find "[t]he ovaries and uterus were sonographically visible in all queens regardless of reproductive status.")
For another wacky tale where a vet goes on a quest to find a uterus check out 20-26. In that case the vet allegedly couldn't find one so she made a bigger hole to look around.
| Source: | October 10, 2021 AM Investigative Committee Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Jade Lanier | Respondent |
| Roll Call: | |
| Carolyn Ratajack | Aye |
| Christina Tran | Absent |
| Jarrod Butler | Aye |
| Robert Kritsberg | Aye |
| Steve Seiler | Aye |
| Result: | Passed |
| Source: | November 11, 2021 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Proposed By: | J Greg Byrne |
| Seconded By: | Jessica Creager |
| Roll Call: | |
| Craig Nausley | Aye |
| Darren Wright | Aye |
| J Greg Byrne | Aye |
| Jane Soloman | Aye |
| Jessica Creager | Aye |
| Jim Loughead | Aye |
| Nikki Frost | Absent |
| Robyn Jaynes | Aye |
| 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.