ComplaintsforGoldsmith Veterinary Clinic

• Initial Complaint

  02/20/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On 12/11/2022 and 12/13/2022 I was solicited by Goldsmith Vet Clinic to vaccinate my cat Tyomi for a ***** 3yr. This is otherwise know as the feline distemper vaccine. On 12/19/2022 ****************** performed a full veterinary exam of Tyomi, cleaned her ears and administered the ***** vaccine. The manufacturer is Elanco. No follow up care instructions were given, only a receipt for the bill. On 12/23/2022 I notice that ***** was quite lethargic. When I observed her early in the am on 12/24/2022 she was even more lethargic. As I was preparing to take her to the emergency veterinary she had a seizure and passed away. A necropsy was performed on 12/30/2022 by ************************* Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories. Their remarks were as follows:Following gross examination, the cause of decline was likely related to renal disease. The lesion is most suggestive of suppurative infection which could be due to an ascending bladder infection. Histopathology is pending. Fresh tissue was collected if you culture is desired. Please call the lab if you would like to pursue culture. ***** was a healthy cat prior to this vaccine. I now understand that the vaccine was unnecessary. As Tyomi was an indoor cat and indoor cats are not susceptible to distemper. I was solicited for this vaccine as marketing to drive end of year sales. Being sent home with no follow up paper work as to side effects of the vaccine essentially became fatal. When I spoke to the doctor on staff about this I was then notified that the clinic does not offer follow up paperwork.

  Business response

  03/03/2023

  To: BBB, Resolution Specialist
  Re:  ID # ********
  
  
  To whom it may concern:
  
  I received your notification letter today 2/27/2023 in regards to the cat named ***** owned by ***** Afarko.  While the whole situation is tragic and sad, there is no evidence to support Ms. ******* claim of negligence.
  On December 19, 2022, ***** presented for her annual exam, an FVRCP vaccine (which covers the most common feline infectious diseases) and to check her ears.  Nothing unusual was noted on my physical exam findings, other than the ceruminous build-up in Tyomis ears.  We checked Tyomis ears for signs of infection and updated her vaccine as approved by the client.  It is our regular practice to warn all clients about potential vaccine reactions.  However, the more extreme reactions usually occur within the first 24 hours with the lesser reactions occurring within the first ***** hours.
  In Ms. ******* complaint, she states that ***** vomited on Wednesday, December 21st, and was lethargic by December 23rd, but never notified our hospital that ***** was having any issues.  While vomiting and lethargy can be signs of a vaccine reaction, these signs took 4-5 days to develop.  On December 24th, Ms. ****** reports that ***** appeared to have a seizure and died.  When we learned of Tyomis passing, we called Elanco, the vaccine manufacturer, to discuss a possible adverse reaction to the vaccine.  ****** offered to cover the cost of a postmortem exam (necropsy) at ************************* (CSU) to look for signs suggestive of a delayed severe vaccine reaction
  The attached necropsy report does not support an adverse vaccine reaction.  It was determined by Colorado State Universitys Veterinary ********************* that ***** died from Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy complicated by an underlying kidney infection (pyelonephritis).  The diagnostic laboratory found no evidence that the vaccine played any role in the death of ******  Per the necropsy report, Anaphylaxis due to a vaccine reaction does not often cause identifiable gross changes and typically clinical signs would be noted shortly after the vaccine was given.  Histologic changes also do not support anaphylaxis.  Cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy cannot be diagnosed during a physical exam or even thoracic radiographs (x-rays of the chest).  Unfortunately, most cases of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are diagnosed post mortem after a sudden/unexplained death.    
  Myself and my staff have spoken with Ms. ****** on the phone and emailed her multiple times regarding Tyomis passing and the reports from ***.   Unfortunately, Ms. ****** refuses to accept the answers that we have provided using scientific evidence and insists Tyomis passing was due to the vaccine. 
  We understand that Ms. ****** believes this vaccine is unnecessary because Tyomi was an indoor cat, but our recommendations are in line with the American Veterinary Medical Associations (AVMA) vaccination guidelines.  Additionally, our recommendations follow the vaccination guidelines provided by the ************************************ (AAHA) and the ******************** of ****** Practitioners (AAFP).  We send out regular reminders for all our veterinary patients notifying owners when their pets are due for annual exams and vaccines.  At no time was Ms. ****** solicited or forced to call us to make an appointment to have Tyomi examined and vaccinated.
  Medical standards of care were met and there has been no negligence on the part of myself or the hospital; therefore, Ms. ****** is not entitled to a replacement cat.  As a goodwill gesture, we already refunded her for Tyomis visit on December 19, 2022, because we have all lost pets and understand how difficult that can be.  I feel that we have gone above and beyond in this tragic incident and am disappointed that Ms. ****** does not recognize that.
  All of us that work at Goldsmith Veterinary Clinic chose this profession to help animals.  Unfortunately, there is nothing we can say or do that will replace ******  I am attaching copies of the vaccine guidelines from AVMA, AAHA and AAFP, plus a copy of the necropsy report for support of my statements and hope that we can close this case quickly.
  
  
  Sincerely
  
  ***********************, DVM
  Goldsmith Veterinary Clinic
  

  
  

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩