| Complaint: | Complaint 22-31 |
|---|---|
| Respondent: | Jared Brethouwer |
| Premises: | BluePearl Peoria |
| Related: | 21-98, 22-32 |
This complaint was opened by the board as part of an investigation into triage practices in the wake of a previous complaint, 21-98. In that case, a sick dog was sent from Banfield (a Mars PetCare brand) to BluePearl (another Mars PetCare brand) and eventually dropped dead on the premises after waiting in a kennel for several hours.
The recounting on this board-initiated investigation doesn't quite line up with what the complainants said. According to the report, it appears the dog was actually seen by a veterinarian there and was left muzzled while the veterinarian reviewed the case with the complainants. The veterinarian, Simpson, apparently found that the dog was dehydrated and lethargic but had no obvious abnormalities; the muzzle was left on while Simpson made a treatment plan. At that point, this dog with no obvious abnormalities dropped dead from what was later determined to be cardiopulmonary arrest from acute aspiration pneumonia.
Brethouwer's predecessor, veterinarian Sandy Landry (link) was getting ready to step down, and Brethouwer was asked to begin an internal investigation prior to taking over as the responsible veterinarian for the premises. Brethouwer instituted a new muzzle policy for the Phoenix market. Among the stipulations was a requirement that muzzles shouldn't be used on patients with cardiac or respiratory concerns; that patients shouldn't be left unattended with muzzles unless they happen to be basket muzzles and a veterinarian has signed off on it; and patients with vomiting or regurgitation issues shouldn't be wearing muzzles either.
Brethouwer's response duly notes that he wasn't in charge when this happened. He also includes the new muzzle protocol he instituted. There's no Investigative Committee report because this was handled by the Investigative Division and sent directly to the Board.
Brethouwer, interestingly, was actually the subject of a dismissed complaint filed by a real medical doctor in 21-60. He relates a story of BluePearl staff considering a dying dog "stable" and of a trainee taking notes on the dog's condition using the back of her latex gloves; the dog was so "stable" that he died on the way to another hospital that would actually see him. One wonders if this was necessarily the best candidate to perform an internal investigation, and yet even he found problems at the candy company's local franchise.
| Source: | October 10, 2021 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Proposed By: | Nikki Frost |
| 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 | 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.