| Complaint: | Complaint 21-142 |
|---|---|
| Respondent: | Alex Beckley |
| Premises: | Arizona Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Center |
| Related: | 21-141 |
This complaint follows from 21-141 and pertains to Beckley's involvement; Beckley appears to be the last AVECCC veterinarian the dog ever saw prior to the dog's final exit at VCA ARECA. Much of the background is summarized in the writeup for 21-141. At this point the complainant reiterates the problems she's had in getting quality care for her declining dog at several veterinary locations and visits; she also tells us that she was directed by Banfield to take the dog to emergency. She took the dog to AVECCC and explains that she had trouble getting anyone at AVECC to even understand that the dog had been there several times prior for the same issue. She claims she was told by staff that the dog would be treated as critical care given the dog's condition but once the dog was inside the dog was no longer considered critical. The complainant was told the dog wouldn't be seen for several hours and to just go home; she did so and subsequently received a call from Beckley. Beckley apparently diagnosed the dog with idiopathic vestibular disease, a possible ear infection, nystagmus, and a fever. He apparently recommended the dog be seen by an internal medicine specialist; this was the first time any veterinarian had recommended such a thing and the complainant wasn't even aware they had those. He also suggested perhaps the dog had tick fever. She says that she continued to ask questions and was told (similar to her experience with Wyatt in 21-141) that he had no idea what was wrong with the dog. The complainant relates that the dog was sent home after paying a consultation fee; she took the dog to another veterinarian (VCA ARECA according to the Findings of Fact) and the dog was soon dead. That said, she does wonder if Beckley did a better job than any of the other veterinarians by at least suggesting she try to take the dog somewhere with more competent professionals; she wonders if her dog might have had a chance with a better doctor. (She also attaches the same general letter to AVECCC that was included in 21-141.)
Beckley tells us that the dog was brought in for "decreased appetite and difficulty walking." (This interestingly does appear rather rounded-down from the laundry list of concerns that the complainant had, and indeed one of her complaints was that nobody understood the severity of what was happening to her baby.) He apparently notes that the dog was whining and falling over in the kennel at AVECCC, along with the dog's eyes darting all over the place; fever, dehydration, and potential ear infections were mentioned. He relates all the testing that had previously been done on the dog at AVECCC without any benefit; he also helpfully notes that the complainant refused any subsequent tests that could be done. He also says that a CT scan might be useful but that AVECCC couldn't do one right then; maybe they could someday. He says that he recommended taking the dog to an internal medicine specialist and the complainant thought that was a good idea. He sent the dog home with some pills.
The Investigative Committee said that they had concerns with Beckley just sending the dog out the door with the hope of finding an internal medicine specialist; they thought perhaps the dog should have been hospitalized at AVECCC and examined by their own criticalist. They also note that Beckley said he offered additional diagnostics that the complainant turned down; they found it odd that the complainant would turn down diagnostics as she'd already spent so much on the dog without question, noting that she insists Beckley never offered anything. (It's hard to tell whether they're suggesting Beckley is lying or if they're trying to make the complainant look bad.) They also discussed that it's too bad nobody could figure out what happened the dog; nobody did a necropsy. They also say that while the complainant feared people were ignoring her concerns about her dog, they had actually written them all down in the medical record. No violations are found.
| Source: | November 11, 2021 AM Investigative Committee Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| Alex Beckley | Respondent |
| Roll Call: | |
| Carolyn Ratajack | Aye |
| Christina Tran | Absent |
| Jarrod Butler | Aye |
| Robert Kritsberg | Aye |
| Steve Seiler | Aye |
| Result: | Passed |
| Source: | December 12, 2021 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| Proposed By: | Robyn Jaynes |
| 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 |
| Melissa Thompson | Aye |
| Nikki Frost | Aye |
| 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.