The complainants state that they took their dog to 1st Pet because of a bloody protruding
eye; they state they were concerned about prolapse but the dog was otherwise doing well.
They dropped the dog off and were told to go home and wait for updates. According to them
the dog wasn't seen for several hours, with Bunce examining the dog but providing no
treatment. They were called late that night to come pick up the dog, at which point the
dog couldn't even walk; the do gwas also hyperventilating. Given the change in condition
they demanded to see Bunce, who informed them the dog had always been like that. They
finally got home afer midnight with the dog hyperventilating right up until she died.
They also note that they received no discharge summary.
Bunce's response states that the dog was bitey and that the triage technician actually
underestimated the dog's "Fear, Anxiety, and Stress" score. The dog was deemed stable
and put in the queue while the complainants authorized up to $1000 in spending. The
dog was put in a highly-visible kennel where Bunce later got the dog and began performing
a "Fear Free" examination. He stated that the dog was so worked up that further exam
would need to be done under sedation. He followed up with the complanants who suspected
a cat scratch injury to the eye. After further workup the dog was discharged with medications
and a recommendation to see an ophthalmologist, also noting that if the eye didn't get better
it may need to be removed. He states that the complainants had no further questions at
that time.
The Investigative Committee stated that the dog shouldn't have been discharged in an unstable
condition; they also said that the dog may have had a bad reaction to the sedatives but that
the outcome could have been the same. They mused that the dog may have had oxygen deprivation
due to morbid obesity, but that without a necropsy we'll never know. Statements were provided
saying the dog's respiration was the same as when the pet first came in. Steven Dow, the man
who replaced his son on this Investigative Committee, moved to find gross negligence but there
were no takers; instead the committee voted unanimously to dismiss. The board found a failure
to provide professionally acceptable procedures and required Bunce to take four hours of
continuing education in emergency ophthalmology.
A.R.S. § 322232 (11) Gross negligence; failure to recognize the need for surgical intervention which resulted in a delay that led to major complications in the patient's care.
A.R.S. § 32-2232 (12) as it relates to A.A.C. R3-11-501 (1) failure to provide professionally acceptable procedures by not fully explaining the dog's diagnosis to the pet owners; that there could be other maladies occurring that were not identified and sending the dog home in an unstable/unknown condition
A.R.S. § 32-2232 (12) as it relates to A.A.C. R3-11-501 (1) failure to provide professionally acceptable procedures by not fully explaining the dog's diagnosis to the pet owners; that there could be other maladies occurring that were not identified and sending the dog home in an unstable/unknown condition
Penalties:
Probation (1 year)
Continuing education (4 hours in emergency ophthalmology)
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.