| Complaint: | Complaint 21-18 |
|---|---|
| Respondent: | Heather Bjornebo |
| Premises: | Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital |
The complainant and his wife took their guinea pig to Bjornebo as the guinea pig was feeling bony but otherwise active and healthy. The technician reported the guinea pig had lost significant weight since the last viist; Bjornebo was concerned about the weight loss and recommended blood work. The complainant agreed and when the guinea pig was brought back a staff member reported that the guinea pig had gotten a "little dizzy" during the procedure but was now doing fine. The guinea pig started doing poorly at home so the complainant and his wife called the clinic several times for advice and special pet food; both staff and other veterinarians referred to an "episode" occurring during the procedure but could not elaborate as no further information was in the record. One of the other veterinarians, Deng, suggested bringing the guinea pig in for an emergency checkup; however, they no longer felt comfortable leaving their guinea pig there after the unknown "episode" that occurred. The guinea pig soon died and was buried in the backyard. The complainant called and asked to speak with the owner of the facility, a veterinarian named Jay Johnson; the next day, Elizabeth Johnson (another veterinarian, co-owner, and Jay's spouse) and Jay both got on the phone. Johnson said that a necropsy would be useless at this point and that as an elderly pet anything could have killed the guinea pig. She apparently spoke with Bjornebo and confirmed the guinea pig had gotten a little dizzy but was otherwise fine; Johnson also now said there was no episode and that Deng, merely an intern, had used the wrong choice of works. The complainant was finally able to speak with Bjornebo again, and this time she stated that the guinea pig got dizzy and needed oxygen for a little while; she said nobody was trying to hide anything and that old guinea pigs often have a lot of hidden health problems.
Bjornebo's response details the complainant showing up with the guinea pig, the initial discussion and exam, and the significant weight loss. She says that the complainant agreed to blood work. She went to her desk when she heard a technician call for her from the hospital and she hurried down with Deng; the tech told them that the guinea pig went limp so she rushed the guinea pig into oxygen. Bjornebo found the guinea pig was doing okay and Deng left the room. She says she filled Deng in on what happened so she could tell the complainants if they called. She also says that nobody could have read about it in the records as she hadn't finished the records at the time the complainant began calling with questions. She concludes that we'll never know what really killed the guinea pig but feels the complainant is wrong to suggest that they shouldn't do testing in older guinea pigs.
The Investigative Committee felt that there's no way to link the fainting (also more than a "little dizzy") with the guinea pig actually dying; they also say that exotic pets, especially older exotic pets, often drop dead. They did discuss that the manner in which the event was described was inaccurate and that medical records were altered to detail it after the complainant called the premises to complain. They understand why the complainant might feel there was a cover-up (but they appear to suggest that there wasn't one). The Committee found two violations, one regarding a failure to properly describe what happened to the guinea pig and the other relating to the omission of the guinea pig needing oxygen. The Board threw all that out and sent a Letter of Concern instead.
| Source: | January 1, 2021 AM Investigative Committee Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Heather Bjornebo | Respondent |
| Roll Call: | |
| Carolyn Ratajack | Aye |
| Christina Tran | Aye |
| Jarrod Butler | Aye |
| Robert Kritsberg | Aye |
| Steve Seiler | Aye |
| Violations: | |
| ARS § 32-2232 (12) as it relates to AAC R3-11-501 (1) failure to provide courteous verbal or written interchange due to inadequate communication for not relaying the event that occurred with the Guinea pig to the pet owner. | |
| ARS § 32-2232 (21) as it relates to AAC R3-11-502 (L) (6) failure to document in the medical record the oxygen treatment provided to the Guinea pig. | |
| Result: | Passed |
| Source: | February 2, 2021 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Proposed By: | Sarah Heinrich |
| Seconded By: | Darren Wright |
| 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 | 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.