| Complaint: | Complaint 22-38 |
|---|---|
| Respondent: | Austin Gifford |
| Premises: | Primary Pet Care |
The complainant states that Gifford withheld information by not telling him that the clinic didn't have an x-ray machine. His cat had severe dental pain and went to the clinic for help; a dental was recommended and performed but no neeth needed to be extracted. A follow-up conversation with a vet tech indicated that no x-rays were performed as part of the dental because the clinic had no x-ray machine.
The cat started having more mouth pain a month later, at which time they did an x-ray because they had a machine; an abcessed tooth root was diagnosed and removed in a second procedure but not mentioned on any of the discharge paperwork. When confronted about the lack of an x-ray machine, Gifford allegedly said that it wasn't included on the cat's wellness plan and therefore had no need to bring it up. He also states that other tests were performed that day but no test results were provided. The cat also began experiencing another bout of dental pain. After calling the clinic again, the complainant says he received a voice mail stating that Gifford would no longer be his veterinarian; he still never got his test results.
The Investigative Committee had a wacky time on this one. They note that there's nothing in the law nor in the Arizona Administrative Code (which the vet board writes in this case) to "require a veterinarian to disclose that they do not have the ability to perform dental radiograph." The x-rays are referred to, at least in part, as an "added expense." They also state that even if the clinic had x-rays available, there was no guarantee that the complainant would have actually wanted one (?!). They are, however, saddened that the cat never got a final diagnosis. (There's also no mention of the alleged missing test results.) Case dismissed.
This is another one of those ones that make you wonder. Would veterinarian-investigators Amrit Rai (Sugarloaf) and Justin McCormick (Copper Ridge) permit similar behavior at their own practices?
| Source: | March 3, 2022 PM Investigative Committee Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| Austin Gifford | Respondent |
| Roll Call: | |
| Adam Almaraz | Aye |
| Amrit Rai | Aye |
| Gregg Maura | Aye |
| Justin McCormick | Aye |
| Steven Dow | Aye |
| Result: | Passed |
| Source: | April 4, 2022 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| Proposed By: | Nikki Frost |
| Result: | Failed (no second) |
| Source: | April 4, 2022 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| Proposed By: | Jane Soloman |
| Seconded By: | Craig Nausley |
| 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 | Nay |
| 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.