| Complaint: | Complaint 22-76 |
|---|---|
| Respondent: | Jeremy Shapero |
| Premises: | Pet Doctor Tucson |
The complainant adopted a bow-legged puppy from the humane society (which one?) and he initially did well and was able to walk, run, and play. He started getting weaker and would fall down occasionally so she took the dog to Shapero for a consult. Shapero recommended hip surgery but later called during the procedure to recommend a knee surgery; the complainant says that she felt she had no choice but to agree.
She made arrangements to take care of the dog and follow his aftercare instructions but on day three the incision unravelled when the bandages were removed as directed; we're told the inside of the leg was exposed and "hardware sticking through his skin." Pet Doctor wouldn't return her calls and VSCOT was too busy to deal with the dog, so at their direction she took the dog back to Pet Doctor and demand service. Pet Doctor appears to have done something for the dog, but when she came back "staples were popping on the floor and the incision came apart; she was told by the staff to use steri-strips to hold the dog together and was able to do so until she felt a screw popping out. The dog was also in severe pain which she relates the clinic wouldn't treat.
Shapero recommended bringing the dog in for another surgery; he said that their x-ray machine was down but it wouldn't impede the sugery. This also apparently didn't go well and the dog was taken to VSCOT; they told her that the dog was "basically mutilated" from the surgery. They also told her that even if the dog's leg were amputated, he would have "no chance" because of his "left leg weakness and deformity from birth," so they recommended euthanasia and the complainant agreed (euthanasia for mobility issues alone seems a bit eager, but these are veterinarians we're talking about, and we also don't have medical records to know the whole picture). She contacted Shapero for a full refund and finally filed a claim against him when no such claim was forthcoming; she also tells us that she gave Shapero a chance to work with her, but since he wouldn't work with her, she's going to go public and sue him. She now has no choice but to move forward and help other pet owners.
Shapero's response is presented as a timeline. Much of the information is irrelevant to the complaint, but it gives a rough idea of his perspective. He states that the dog came in for the quality of life evaluation and was ambulatory but wouldn't stand; he was suspicious of nerve conditions but also noted arthritis and joint problems. the complainant discussed quality of life issues and Shapero stated a femoral head ostectomy (FHO, where the head of the femur is removed) could help with the dog's hip issues.
Upon starting the surgery he also noted a cruciate ligament tear which he could also fix in the same surgery. He discusses that the surgery went well but his practice later received a call that the leg was hanging and that the dog hadn't been kennel rested. The dog came to the clinic the next day for staples and went home, and he says the complainants missed their follow-up appintment; they said they didn't realize they were still scheduled after bringing the dog in the day prior. He says that the dog had improved on follow-up but he had concerns about nerve damage. At another follow-up he notes that a screw had come out but that this could potentially be fixed; they were able to do the surgery but their x-ray machine could not be repaired in time.
On subsequent follow-up with the complainant, he learned that the dog had been euthanized at VSCOT. He attempted to learn more from the VSCOT records but relates they initially sent him the wrong x-rays, also noting their report did "note apparatus failure and a bent plate" which would constitute new damage. He attempted to call VSCOT to talk to one of the veterinarians but he says nobody there ever called him back (sadly, VSCOT itself draws a lot of complaints). He finally received the x-rays from VSCOT and found that the plate wasn't bent; the veterinarians had misread the normal contour of the plate. The new screw had backed out somewhat but not failed entirely. He concludes that the most likely cause of the complications was the failure to follow the aftercare instructions for the dog, stating he's done roughly 100 similar procedures without this particular complication. (We're also left wondering if this dog needed to die, particularly if VSCOT misread their own x-rays.)
The Investigative Committee found a mixed bag but no violations. They state that it's actually common to be unable to diagnose a cruciate ligament tear until an animal is sedated, and that in any event, a "Dr. Moore" (otherwise unmentioned?) reviewed the procedure and said it was fine. They were puzzled by the VSCOT veterinarians stating the plate was bent as it was supposed to be bent to conform to the bone (one wonders if someone should be checking up on VSCOT). They said that the complainant and a witness couldn't comment on how the dog was confined, leading them to fault the complainant for not following the discharge instructions. One unnamed investigator had concerns about jumping into such a complex surgery, but they also said it wouldn't have mattered since the complainants didn't follow instructions. The board disagreed, finding that Shapero didn't fully explain the dog's condition and likely outcomes; he had to take six hours of continuing education in client communication.
| Source: | June 6, 2022 AM Investigative Committee Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| Jeremy Shapero | Respondent |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Roll Call: | |
| Robert Kritsberg | Aye |
| Christina Tran | Aye |
| Carolyn Ratajack | Aye |
| Jarrod Butler | Aye |
| Steven Seiler | Aye |
| Result: | Passed |
| Source: | July 7, 2022 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Proposed By: | Craig Nausley |
| Result: | Failed (no second) |
| Source: | July 7, 2022 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Proposed By: | Craig Nausley |
| Seconded By: | Jane Soloman |
| Roll Call: | |
| Craig Nausley | Aye |
| Darren Wright | Absent |
| J Greg Byrne | Absent |
| Jane Soloman | Aye |
| Jessica Creager | Aye |
| Jim Loughead | Aye |
| Melissa Thompson | Aye |
| Nikki Frost | Nay |
| Robyn Jaynes | Absent |
| Result: | Passed |
| Source: | August 8, 2022 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| Jeremy Shapero | Respondent |
| W Reed Campbell | Respondent Attorney |
| Proposed By: | Robyn Jaynes |
| Seconded By: | Craig Nausley |
| Roll Call: | |
| Craig Nausley | Aye |
| Darren Wright | Absent |
| J Greg Byrne | Aye |
| Jane Soloman | Recused |
| Jessica Creager | Aye |
| Jim Loughead | Aye |
| Melissa Thompson | Aye |
| Nikki Frost | Aye |
| Robyn Jaynes | Aye |
| Violations: | |
| 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 educating the pet owner on the dog's multiple conditions, what surgical techniques were going to entail and their prognosis. | |
| Result: | Passed |
| Source: | Order 22076 (October 10, 2022) |
|---|---|
| Violations: | |
| 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 educating the pet owner on the dog's multiple conditions, what surgical techniques were going to entail and their prognosis. | |
| Penalties: | |
| Probation (1 year) | |
| Continuing education (6 hours in client communication) | |
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.