| Complaint: | Complaint 21-42 |
|---|---|
| Respondent: | Gayle Bilsand |
| Premises: | Phoenix Dog Cat and Bird Hospital |
| Related: | 21-43 |
(This complaint is related to 21-43, the main event, in which Christina Nutter, an allegedly mentally-disturbed veterinarian, performed a euthanasia and posted photos of the dead cat on her Facebook page after calling the cops on the cat's human. Nutter also called the cops on the cat's veterinarian, Bilsland, which brings us to this appetizer in which Bilsland is said to have thrown her former client under the bus.)
The complainant tells us that Bilsland was contacted by Christina Nutter of Gentle Journey, an outcall euthanasia service, claiming the now-dead cat had been neglected by the vet or the complainant. Bilsland allegedly told Nutter that she had advocated for euthanasia; the complainant says this is not true and points to three false statements in her own written report. Bilsland allegedly wrote that she told the owner the cat was near death, that the complainant turned down all palliative care options including pain medication, and that she mentioned euthanasia on every visit. The complainant counters that she had agreed with Bilsland to give the cat gabapentin and fluids to help with the cat's pain and would arrange euthanasia closer to the time of natural death; she insists the gabapentin was prescribed by Bilsland herself. She concludes by stating that all she asks for is for Bilsland to tell the truth about what really happened.
Bilsland tells us the cat was originally seen by BluePearl and then by her clinic. The cat was diagnosed with squamous cell cancer; she says offered a referral to oncology and various medications. She says the cat was brought back several times over the next few months and Convenia was given as a palliative measure; she also relates that she brought up signs of when to euthanize. On the last visit before the call from Nutter, she says the owner declined an office visit with an actual veterinarian and left it to a tech appointment (allegedly the owner/complainant wanted free service). There are notes regarding the use of gabapentin and that the complainant said her cat would tell her when it was time. Then Nutter called. Bilsland also has a note to the Board saying she was never told the complainant planned to let the cat die naturally; rather, she says the complainant asked about in-home euthanasia service.
The Investigative Committee said that squamous cell carcinoma is a death sentence and had serious concers that Bilsland didn't push even harder to ahve the cat euthanized. They actually found her guilty of gross negligence for not working harder to get the cat bumped off; they had no concerns about any potential lies or falsifications in the medical record as mentioned by the complainant. The Board disagreed and found no violations.
And if Almaraz and top vets Sidaway, Dow, and Rai think this cat was better off dead already, you already know how the complaint against Nutter is going to go.
| Source: | April 4, 2021 PM Investigative Committee Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| Gayle Bilsand | Respondent |
| Roll Call: | |
| Adam Almaraz | Aye |
| Amrit Rai | Aye |
| Brian Sidaway | Aye |
| Cameron Dow | Aye |
| Violations: | |
| ARS ยง 32-2232 (11): Gross Negligence; treatment of a patient or practice of veterinary medicine resulting in injury, unnecessary suffering or death that was caused by carelessness, negligence or the disregard of established principles or practices for not sfrongly recommending humane euthanasia to prevent unnecessary suffering or death. | |
| Result: | Passed |
| Source: | May 5, 2021 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| Proposed By: | Robyn Jaynes |
| Seconded By: | Darren Wright |
| Roll Call: | |
| Darren Wright | Aye |
| J Greg Byrne | Aye |
| 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.