| Complaint: | Complaint 22-26 |
|---|---|
| Respondent: | Juli Maher |
| Premises: | Casa Grande Animal Hospital |
| Related: | 22-25 |
This complaint follows from 22-25 and pertains to Maher's involvement.
The family set about finding a veterinary oncologist but learned that Case Grande would have to make an official diagnosis of cancer before they would see the dog. McWhirter called them and said that Maher had recommended an ultrasound, something the complainants say they weren't aware of. They were told that it would be several days before an ultrasound could be done, but after protesting, an ultrasound was scheduled the following day. A third veterinarian, Fallini, called them to tell them the dog had pyometra and would need emergency surgery. They agreed on surgery but Fallini was unavailable to give updates; Fallini informed them that the surgery went well but the dog wasn't doing so well in recovery, also having high blood sugars and suffering from likely sepsis. The dog would need to be transfered to AVECCC in Gilbert for overnight monitoring, so the family picked up the dog and drove her there (that's a transfer in veterinary medicine). The complainant also blames the dog's diabetes on the incident.
Maher's response states that she began by reviewing the completed lab results for the dog. She had concerns regarding the elevated white blood cell count, stating that the dog either had a severe infection or cancer; she thought cancer might be a possiblity because of the dog's age and an unusual blood cell type listed in the report. She stated that she reviewed McWhirter's notes and prescribed antibiotics until a recheck examination could be done with McWhirter. She believes that she didn't mention cancer more than infection and that the complainant leaned toward that diagnosis based on her own biases; she also notes that she never even saw the dog until the dog showed up for the ultrasound and had pyometra surgery.
The Investigative Committee discussion is pasted from the previous report. They voted to find Maher guilty of gross negligence on a variety of communication-related issues; unusually for Arizona, it appears this particular Investigative Committee was really nailing people during this meeting (see 22-23, 22-25, and this one); one wonders what's up with that. The Board had other ideas and rounded down to a Letter of Concern. There doesn't appear to be any suggestion they followed up with an investigation of the premises and suggested, either.
| Source: | February 2, 2022 PM Investigative Committee Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| Juli Maher | Respondent |
| Roll Call: | |
| Adam Almaraz | Aye |
| Amrit Rai | Aye |
| Gregg Maura | Aye |
| Justin McCormick | Aye |
| Steven Dow | Aye |
| Violations: | |
| ARS § 32.2232 (11) Gross negligence: Failure to identify the dog was an intact female and possibly had a pyometra; Failure to relay to the pet owner the seriousness of the dog's-blood results and not recommending the dog be brought back in for re-evaluation; and Failure to comm unicate with her associates the seriousness of the dog's condition ensuring proper follow up and care of the patient. | |
| Result: | Passed |
| Source: | March 3, 2022 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Juli Maher | Respondent |
| Proposed By: | Craig Nausley |
| Seconded By: | Jane Soloman |
| Roll Call: | |
| Craig Nausley | Aye |
| Darren Wright | Aye |
| J Greg Byrne | Aye |
| Jane Soloman | Aye |
| Jessica Creager | Absent |
| Jim Loughead | Aye |
| Melissa Thompson | Aye |
| Nikki Frost | Aye |
| Robyn Jaynes | Aye |
| Result: | Passed |
| Source: | April 4, 2022 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| Juli Maher | Respondent |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Proposed By: | Craig Nausley |
| Seconded By: | Jane Soloman |
| Roll Call: | |
| Craig Nausley | Aye |
| Darren Wright | Nay |
| J Greg Byrne | Nay |
| Jane Soloman | Aye |
| Jessica Creager | Nay |
| Jim Loughead | Nay |
| Melissa Thompson | Nay |
| Nikki Frost | Nay |
| Robyn Jaynes | Absent |
| Violations: | |
| A.R.S. § 32-2232 (11) Gross negligence: Failure to identify the dog was an intact female and possibly had a pyometra; Failure to relay to the pet owner the seriousness of the dog’s blood results and not recommending the dog be brought back in for re-evaluation; and Failure to communicate with her associates the seriousness of the dog's condition ensuring proper follow up and care of the patient. | |
| Result: | Failed |
| Source: | April 4, 2022 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| Juli Maher | Respondent |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Proposed By: | Craig Nausley |
| Seconded By: | Darren Wright |
| 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 | 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.