Additional Information - In Memory of Stempy Munson

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This information was faxed to the Vet Board shortly after the original complaint was sent.

Music is: Theme from S.W.A.T. .....

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Regarding Ann K. Thomas, DVM, Mesquite, TX Complaint ~ Re: Stempy Munson

Submitted by: Greg & Cindy Munson

On 10/13/2005, we requested a full and complete copy of Stempy's records, including his x-rays. On 10/18/2005, only his written records were faxed to us. We still have never received, nor have we seen, x-rays contained in his file, in DIRECT VIOLATION of board rule 573.52(c). Dr. Thomas told us on 10/13/2005, that unless she was served a subpoena, she would never provide us with Stempy's complete records.

The lack of any follow up care or monitoring after the first surgery is one of many grievous errors. Dr. Thomas also states in Stempy's Records on 9/27/05 that she did a Perineal Urethrostomy. If the definition of a Urethrostomy is a permanent opening caudal to the os penis that is large enough to accomodate passage of most urethral calculi....well, that is NOT what was done. No permanent opening was made and Stempy remained intact. While we are certainly no veterinarians, it appears to us that maybe Dr. Thomas does not know the difference between a Urethrotomy and a Urethrostomy....scary thought! We think she may have done a Urethrotomy, however, she cut him open from his anus to his scrotum. She did not have permission to perform either procedure. She states that it was an emergency procedure....if it was an emergency procedure on 9/27, then it was an emergency procedure on 9/24. Nothing had changed. She should have taken a radiograph on 9/24, then she would have known. We are NOT buying that she could not have called us to seek our permission. She did not want to call us because she knew she had messed up. She never even called to let us know his condition.

Regards,

Greg & Cindy Munson

Please find attached the written professional opinion of a local veterinarian located here in the city of Mesquite: ****(Note to website visitors: The veterinarian mentioned below was kind enough to provide the letter that follows; we thought we would be kind in return and x out their name and address information for obvious reasons. Of course, nothing was x'ed out on the original of this page that was submitted to the TSBVME. We are grateful for the letter we received. By the way, we feel confident in saying that Stempy would still be alive if we had found and chose this veterinarian in September 2003, instead of our devastating choice of "Dr." (...yea, right) Ann K. Thomas, DVM. We have to live with that horrific choice for the rest of our lives. You can be damn sure we won't make that mistake again...but it's too late for Stempy. As much as we blame ourselves for our wrong choice and our misplaced total trust of Ann K. Thomas, DVM, it shouldn't have to be our job to make sure the veterinarian knows her job. But, guess what? If you want to avoid the pain and heartbreak we have endured and are continuing to endure, you will MAKE IT YOUR JOB to make sure your veterinarian knows their job. It's a sad state of affairs, but that's just the way it is. Total trust? NEVER AGAIN!! We miss you, Stempy!!)

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, DVM

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx Veterinary Hospital

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Mesquite, Texas 75149

xxx-xxx-xxxx

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Letter from other vet:xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, DVM

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx Veterinary Hospital

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Mesquite, Texas 75149

xxx-xxx-xxxx

Bladder and Urethral stones are common problems in dogs and cats. There is often an underlying infection or metabolic problem that causes the stones to form. Once a pet has been diagnosed and treated, our office recommends quarterly urinalyses to detect any changes that might cause the stones to recur.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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*****Note to website visitors:

It should be obvious, but the key point in the letter above is the QUARTERLY URINALYSES------ "Dr." Thomas FAILED to perform, or even recommend, this most crucial step of his aftercare....FOR CLOSE TO 2 YEARS..... Folks, in our eyes, we allege that this failure can only be two things:

1. VETERINARY NEGLIGENCE or

2. VETERINARY INCOMPETENCE

on the part of ANN K. THOMAS, DVM ...which, in her case, must mean:

D(oesn't know)

V(eterinary)

M(edicine).

One more time ...... NEVER blindly trust your veterinarian!!