April 4, 2011
Case No. 11-186 Gray Brackeen, D.V.M.
Spanky Dunn
Dear Sirs,
When I received the response from Dr. Brackeen the first thing that came to my attention is the date… March 23, 2011. I was told that Dr. Brackeen had twenty-one (21) days to respond to my first complaint and March 23, 2011 is after the twenty-one (21) days. Dr. Brackeen did not even start writing his answer until after the twenty-one (21) days. It leads me to believe Dr. Brackeen is treating my complaint with the same amount of attention as he did my Spanky.
While we are talking about dates, I would also like to mention that Spanky did not die on January 24, 2011 as stated in Dr. Brackeen’s letter. Spanky died three days after his surgery – January 20, 2011. I have attached documentation that will confirm this. There are many statements made by Dr. Brackeen that I will call into question, but the date of Spanky’s death is an undeniable, and a horrible mistake.
This mistake and the slow response to the board further substantiates, at least to me, that Dr. Brackeen does not take this matter serious. I cannot help but wondering had Dr. Brackeen taken Spanky’s condition serious would I still have him with me today?
The following is my direct responses to statements Dr. Brackeen made in his response:
“It is unfortunate for you to have to deal with this situation”
Yes, it is unfortunate that any of us have to deal with this situation. It is unfortunate that my family lost our pet. It is unfortunate that Spanky died from… what? He told me there was “nothing wrong with” Spanky… he told me Spanky had “tons of blood and is not going to die anytime soon”… he also told me Spanky was “filled with cancer”… he told me Spanky was “old” and this was a “tough surgery”… and he told this board that he had “no idea as to the cause of death to this patient”. He told me a lot of things… but he told you he didn’t know. That’s unfortunate.
“I recommended surgery at the time”
Dr. Brackeen felt of the tumor and told Jessica ___ (Assistant #1) to schedule the surgery. Dr. Brackeen then left the office and said nothing to me or my daughter about the surgery. Both my daughter and I noted this in our original complaint letters. Telling your assistant to schedule surgery is not recommending it.
"I removed a large adipose mass”
I was told that if it was anything other than a fatty tumor Dr. Brackeen would send it to the lab. Is an adipose mass cancer? Because, when I started asking questions – that is one of the stories I was told… Spanky was “filled with cancer”. None of this is mentioned on Spanky’s chart.
“I could not remove all the tissue which seemed to continue for some distance.”
I was told by Assistant #1 on the phone the day of the surgery that it was a fatty tumor and Dr. Brackeen had removed it all. Assistant #1 said that I had nothing to worry about. Also, my daughter, Malissa, was told by Assistant #1 that it was a fatty tumor when she went to pick Spanky up that afternoon. Both of these statements are in our original complaint letters. This is not mentioned on Spanky’s chart.
“Recovery was slow”
My daughter, Malissa, was told that it takes longer for older dogs to get over the anesthetic and it could take up to 24 hours for Spanky to be over the effects. I am not sure what Dr. Brackeen means by “recovery” in his response. Is it the recovery from the surgery or the anesthetic? Since it was not noted on his chart, I will assume it was the recovery from the anesthetic. This is also noted in my original complaint letter. This is not noted on Spanky’s chart.
“Later that night, around 9:30 the owner called and said there was some bleeding”
Yes, we did call around 9:30 that evening because Spanky was bleeding and seemed to be in a lot of pain. But, there is no mention of us calling earlier and speaking to Dr. Brackeen’s daughter who answered the phone and relayed our concerns to Dr. Brackeen. We were given instructions of some steps to take instead of bringing him in. This is noted in both Malissa and my original complaint letters. This is not noted on Spanky’s chart. At 9:30 we called again and were told by Dr. Brackeen’s daughter to bring Spanky into the office. Not noted on Spanky’s chart either.
"She is one of my lab techs with years of experience"
I have had eight (8) dogs through the years that I have taken to Dr. Brackeen and I have never seen his daughter working any of the times that I have been there.
“I am presently on high blood pressure and low thyroid medication which makes me very sleepy at night”
After a lot research, I am assuming this should be a medical ethic or veterinarian-client-patient concern. If my veterinarian has a condition that renders him less than his expected best, I should have been told. From what I’ve learned – I should have been given the knowledge of what to do if an emergency were to arise. This statement is a clear admission that Dr. Brackeen would not be available or able to provide essential services to save Spanky’s life after hours.
On this subject, I would like to reference my original complaint and ask could this be the reason that Dr. Brackeen asked me if Spanky had been spayed before we ever scheduled the surgery? While examining the knot on Spanky’s stomach, did Dr. Brackeen’s medical condition and medication contribute to him mistaking a long-term male patient for a female?
“I had Mrs. Dunn bring Spanky in and reexamined the surgery location”
I am struggling with this statement. Dr. Brackeen came in and looked at Spanky. And when I say “looked” – I mean that literally… he “looked” at Spanky. I looked up the definition of examined:the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes). Dr. Brackeen did not touch Spanky. He walked in the room, looked at him, and in the same instant said “there’s nothing wrong with him, take him home”.
“Laughingly I told to take him home and did not charge her the normal $100.00 after hour fee”
When Dr. Brackeen says this – it sounds to me as though he trying to make it sound as though he was doing me a favor. Let me make this clear – I would have gladly paid the $100.00 after hour fee. I would have paid thousands of dollars to still have Spanky alive and with me. Spanky was not only a patient of Dr. Brackeen, Spanky was also a patient of Dr. Glaze, a respected Optometrist in Houston with the Campbell Road Vet Clinic. Spanky had been being treated for an eye condition by Dr. Glaze for many years. It wasn’t and never has been about money… it was about my beloved Spanky and keeping him healthy and happy.
“Laughingly”
this word bothers me. There was no laughter in Dr. Brackeen’s voice that night when he told us to go home. Dr. Brackeen told me and my daughter, “he has tons of blood and is not going to die anytime soon.” I will never forget this, and it is noted in our original complaint letters.
“Evidently she mistook my humor for being upset at her”
Mistake his “humor” as being upset with me? I left there that evening worried and concerned about my Spanky, and feeling like I had been a nuisance to Dr. Brackeen. I felt embarrassed for “disturbing” my veterinarian. I felt like the concern I had for my pet’s well-being was a mistake and my daughter and I had overreacted. I’m fairly certain the only thing I “mistook” that night was that my veterinarian was performing at his best, and acting in the best interest of my pet.
On the subject of Dr. Brackeen’s humor… noted in Malissa and my original complaint letters, Dr. Brackeen made a statement about losing his “crystal ball.” Should I assume that I “mistook” that as insolence instead of humor?
Again, nothing was noted on Spanky’s chart about this after hour visit.
“I did not hear from the owner for the rest of the week until Monday morning around 4:00 am”
This statement really represents my overall concern about the treatment of Spanky. Clearly, Dr. Brackeen’s record keeping is inadequate. I called Dr. Brackeen on Thursday morning, January 20, 2011 (attached are phone records that indicate the date and time). This is three (3) days after Spanky’s initial surgery, not a week.
I wonder if Dr. Brackeen took my or Malissa’s first complaint letter seriously? I wonder if Dr. Brackeen takes any of this seriously. Surely if he did, he would of paid closer attention to his notes when responding to this board. Of course, I’m assuming that he wasn’t hurrying – trying to respond after passing the deadline had past, and that his records were detailed and correct.
Do I even need to say that this call was not noted on Spanky’s chart?
“I do not have any help till after 7:00 am and recommended she come in at that time which she did”
As noted on my original letter, I arrived at the Anchor Road Vet Clinic at 6:50 am. I stood outside and waited for someone to let me in. Desiree (assistant #2) drove in, parked and let me in the clinic at 7:00 am. I had been standing outside with Spanky in my arms for ten (10) minutes waiting on someone to let me in. When I walked in Dr. Brackeen and his daughter were both inside drinking coffee. I get and understand that people have hours of operation. But, Dr. Brackeen knew I was coming, and was aware of my concern for the urgent needs of Spanky, and I believe he should have first considered them over the last 15-minutes of coffee and conversation. I believe this also falls under the veterinarian-client-patient relationship: The veterinarian is readily available, or has arranged for emergency coverage, for follow-up evaluation in the event of adverse reactions or the failure of the treatment regimen.
“Spanky was depressed and slow to respond. There was redness in the surgical area”
This statement disturbs me and pains my heart. Please go back to my original complaint letter to read what I reported Dr. ________ did when I walked into the clinic. Need I say, nothing was noted in Spanky’s chart about being depressed, slow to respond, or redness in the surgical area.
“Temperature was 99.6F”
Nothing noted on Spanky’s chart.
“The iodophor gauze was removed”
Nothing on Spanky’s chart.
“Additional antibiotics were administered”
Nothing on Spanky’s chart.
Where is he getting this information from? I suppose a person could remember details like this. But aren’t those kinds of details normally documented. His noted medical condition notwithstanding, I can’t help it… I’m doubtful of his ability to remember these details.
“Spanky passed away after 10:00am”
I have attached my phone records that clearly indicate that I called before 10:00am and Spanky had already died. What time did Spanky die? Or is this another example of what I believe are just dates, times, and facts pulled out of the air and hastily applied to an already late response. It would be nice to go to Spanky’s chart to see accurate information that I deserve and am entitled to know as an owner.
“He was wrapped and placed in the freezer as we do any other deceased animal”
I know and accept that this is normal procedure. And I know that Dr. Brackeen could not have known that Spanky always liked to be wrapped up in the cover. I guess it made him feel warm and safe. But knowing those things didn’t make it easier to hear, and I’m not sure saying “putting him in the freezer” is the kind of information that falls under the “kindness, mutual respect, and dignity” part of the code of ethics. I am sure it isn’t very good bedside manner.
“The owner was called and informed of the situation”
Incorrect… from my attached phone records it clearly shows that I called Dr. Brackeen’s office. They did not call me. I feel confident that if there had been a note in Spanky’s records, Dr. Brackeen would have been able to read that it was me who called.
“I stop seeing people after 5pm”
I was not told this when Dr. Brackeen and I spoke before 10am the morning Spanky had died (January 20th). Dr. Brackeen told me to come by later and we would talk. The sign on the clinic door states that the office hours are 7am to 6pm (*Note* - that sign has been removed). I waited till later in the afternoon hoping there would not be other people there because of my emotions. I would have been there earlier to speak with Dr. Brackeen in private if he had told me he stops seeing people at 5pm. It just seems to me that providing a private area, with few distractions would have been much more appropriate to talk with a grieving owner than in the public waiting room.
I understand that his family time is important, but he asked me to come in later that day to talk. I had my children with me and we were looking for some kind of answers to help us deal with our loss. Dr. Brackeen treated us with very little respect, and made me feel *again* as though I was bothering him and wasting his time. His answers to our questions were short, rude, and I considered them unfair, inconsiderate and without compassion.
“I have no idea as to the cause of death to this patient”
Of everything I’ve read in Dr. Brackeen’s responses to this board, this is unfortunately the one thing I believe is probably the most honest. Maybe if he had actually bothered to make proper notations in Spanky’s records he would have an idea. Dr. Brackeen never told me that he had “no idea” what the cause of death was. Dr. Brackeen in fact told me that cancer caused Spanky’s death for one. He also told me that Spanky’s age combined with a difficult surgery resulted in Spanky’s death. We were also told that the effects of the anesthetic were the reason. None, not a single one of those excuses – and that’s what they are, because he has admitted in writing to this board that he has “no idea what the cause of death to this patient” was – none of those stories he told me and my family are noted in any way in Spanky’s records.
I probably could have handled an honest answer. Even that he had no idea why my Spanky died would have seemed like an honest answer. But it was too apparent to me that he was making excuses, and I didn’t want to hear excuses… I wanted to hear the truth.
“I feel sorrow for the family and hope with time their anger will heal”
I can talk about Spanky now without crying. I think about Spanky and the good times, the joy that he brought my husband and I, our girls, and our grand children, and what a sweet, sweet boy he was. It still hurts though and I still miss him and I still question my decisions that night. My life seems divided between now and when I had Spanky. And I wish that I could go back to that day and start all over. I know that hindsight is 20/20 and I have to tell myself that I thought I was doing what was best for Spanky, and how could I have known the outcome?
“We all hurt when we lose patients and I feel that sometimes my own hired help sometimes hurt the most”
I cannot speak on how Dr. Brackeen’s assistants felt about the loss of Spanky. I will just refer to my original complaint letter and the sympathy card that I received from his assistants, Jessica and Desiree. The note they wrote on that card says it all. I know that they truly cared about how my daughters and I felt in our time of sorrow. They were compassionate, caring, understanding and honest with their answers.
“Unfortunately, owners misunderstand techs and the statements made by the veterinarian in sad situations”
Well, it seems by this response that Dr. Brackeen has found his crystal ball he claimed to have lost. I think “presumptuous” is a nice enough word to define my feelings of Dr. Brackeen telling me and this board what I did or did not understand. I did not misunderstand anything that was said by Dr. Brackeen or the assistants in this situation. If I appeared to be confused or misunderstanding anything – it was all the different excuses I’ve noted he was throwing out to me. And I probably still have the appearance of misunderstanding after reading everything I’ve read in his response – the wrong dates, the wrong times, the things I haven’t heard from him before or read in Spanky’s records… yes – it’s confusing.
I tried to get all the answers. When I didn’t - I did the research and ask questions before I ever decided to make a complaint to the board. I believe Dr. Brackeen was dishonest with my family and uncaring about Spanky’s health situation. It is my opinion he has acted the same in his responses to this board.
This is the last paragraph from my first complaint letter:
Should Dr. Brackeen have done something to make sure that Spanky could make it through the surgery? Should Dr. Brackeen have helped me find the proper medical care to save Spanky? Should Dr. Brackeen be allowed to continue this type of behavior? Should another pet suffer and die the way that Spanky did? Again, after research and educating myself should Dr. Brackeen have done blood work or at least taken Spanky’s temperature? Nothing is noted on Spanky’s chart and I never saw any of this done. Isn’t there a standard of care that Spanky deserved?
I would like to now add these questions: Is record keeping important? Should all charts be kept up to date with everything noted and listed in case a question about procedures should arise? Should Dr. Brackeen have been able to consult his notes for his responses to the board… for instance in the date that Spanky died while in his care?
I even feel stronger now that if I were to let this go and not take action and pursue some type of investigation into Dr. Brackeen, that more animals will be neglected while in his care. I feel like that’s a price my Spanky has already paid, and letting it go would absolutely be the wrong thing to do.
Thank you for your time in this matter.
Nettie Dunn
Case No. 11-186 Gray Brackeen, D.V.M.
Spanky Dunn
Dear Sirs,
When I received the response from Dr. Brackeen the first thing that came to my attention is the date… March 23, 2011. I was told that Dr. Brackeen had twenty-one (21) days to respond to my first complaint and March 23, 2011 is after the twenty-one (21) days. Dr. Brackeen did not even start writing his answer until after the twenty-one (21) days. It leads me to believe Dr. Brackeen is treating my complaint with the same amount of attention as he did my Spanky.
While we are talking about dates, I would also like to mention that Spanky did not die on January 24, 2011 as stated in Dr. Brackeen’s letter. Spanky died three days after his surgery – January 20, 2011. I have attached documentation that will confirm this. There are many statements made by Dr. Brackeen that I will call into question, but the date of Spanky’s death is an undeniable, and a horrible mistake.
This mistake and the slow response to the board further substantiates, at least to me, that Dr. Brackeen does not take this matter serious. I cannot help but wondering had Dr. Brackeen taken Spanky’s condition serious would I still have him with me today?
The following is my direct responses to statements Dr. Brackeen made in his response:
“It is unfortunate for you to have to deal with this situation”
Yes, it is unfortunate that any of us have to deal with this situation. It is unfortunate that my family lost our pet. It is unfortunate that Spanky died from… what? He told me there was “nothing wrong with” Spanky… he told me Spanky had “tons of blood and is not going to die anytime soon”… he also told me Spanky was “filled with cancer”… he told me Spanky was “old” and this was a “tough surgery”… and he told this board that he had “no idea as to the cause of death to this patient”. He told me a lot of things… but he told you he didn’t know. That’s unfortunate.
“I recommended surgery at the time”
Dr. Brackeen felt of the tumor and told Jessica ___ (Assistant #1) to schedule the surgery. Dr. Brackeen then left the office and said nothing to me or my daughter about the surgery. Both my daughter and I noted this in our original complaint letters. Telling your assistant to schedule surgery is not recommending it.
"I removed a large adipose mass”
I was told that if it was anything other than a fatty tumor Dr. Brackeen would send it to the lab. Is an adipose mass cancer? Because, when I started asking questions – that is one of the stories I was told… Spanky was “filled with cancer”. None of this is mentioned on Spanky’s chart.
“I could not remove all the tissue which seemed to continue for some distance.”
I was told by Assistant #1 on the phone the day of the surgery that it was a fatty tumor and Dr. Brackeen had removed it all. Assistant #1 said that I had nothing to worry about. Also, my daughter, Malissa, was told by Assistant #1 that it was a fatty tumor when she went to pick Spanky up that afternoon. Both of these statements are in our original complaint letters. This is not mentioned on Spanky’s chart.
“Recovery was slow”
My daughter, Malissa, was told that it takes longer for older dogs to get over the anesthetic and it could take up to 24 hours for Spanky to be over the effects. I am not sure what Dr. Brackeen means by “recovery” in his response. Is it the recovery from the surgery or the anesthetic? Since it was not noted on his chart, I will assume it was the recovery from the anesthetic. This is also noted in my original complaint letter. This is not noted on Spanky’s chart.
“Later that night, around 9:30 the owner called and said there was some bleeding”
Yes, we did call around 9:30 that evening because Spanky was bleeding and seemed to be in a lot of pain. But, there is no mention of us calling earlier and speaking to Dr. Brackeen’s daughter who answered the phone and relayed our concerns to Dr. Brackeen. We were given instructions of some steps to take instead of bringing him in. This is noted in both Malissa and my original complaint letters. This is not noted on Spanky’s chart. At 9:30 we called again and were told by Dr. Brackeen’s daughter to bring Spanky into the office. Not noted on Spanky’s chart either.
"She is one of my lab techs with years of experience"
I have had eight (8) dogs through the years that I have taken to Dr. Brackeen and I have never seen his daughter working any of the times that I have been there.
“I am presently on high blood pressure and low thyroid medication which makes me very sleepy at night”
After a lot research, I am assuming this should be a medical ethic or veterinarian-client-patient concern. If my veterinarian has a condition that renders him less than his expected best, I should have been told. From what I’ve learned – I should have been given the knowledge of what to do if an emergency were to arise. This statement is a clear admission that Dr. Brackeen would not be available or able to provide essential services to save Spanky’s life after hours.
On this subject, I would like to reference my original complaint and ask could this be the reason that Dr. Brackeen asked me if Spanky had been spayed before we ever scheduled the surgery? While examining the knot on Spanky’s stomach, did Dr. Brackeen’s medical condition and medication contribute to him mistaking a long-term male patient for a female?
“I had Mrs. Dunn bring Spanky in and reexamined the surgery location”
I am struggling with this statement. Dr. Brackeen came in and looked at Spanky. And when I say “looked” – I mean that literally… he “looked” at Spanky. I looked up the definition of examined:the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes). Dr. Brackeen did not touch Spanky. He walked in the room, looked at him, and in the same instant said “there’s nothing wrong with him, take him home”.
“Laughingly I told to take him home and did not charge her the normal $100.00 after hour fee”
When Dr. Brackeen says this – it sounds to me as though he trying to make it sound as though he was doing me a favor. Let me make this clear – I would have gladly paid the $100.00 after hour fee. I would have paid thousands of dollars to still have Spanky alive and with me. Spanky was not only a patient of Dr. Brackeen, Spanky was also a patient of Dr. Glaze, a respected Optometrist in Houston with the Campbell Road Vet Clinic. Spanky had been being treated for an eye condition by Dr. Glaze for many years. It wasn’t and never has been about money… it was about my beloved Spanky and keeping him healthy and happy.
“Laughingly”
this word bothers me. There was no laughter in Dr. Brackeen’s voice that night when he told us to go home. Dr. Brackeen told me and my daughter, “he has tons of blood and is not going to die anytime soon.” I will never forget this, and it is noted in our original complaint letters.
“Evidently she mistook my humor for being upset at her”
Mistake his “humor” as being upset with me? I left there that evening worried and concerned about my Spanky, and feeling like I had been a nuisance to Dr. Brackeen. I felt embarrassed for “disturbing” my veterinarian. I felt like the concern I had for my pet’s well-being was a mistake and my daughter and I had overreacted. I’m fairly certain the only thing I “mistook” that night was that my veterinarian was performing at his best, and acting in the best interest of my pet.
On the subject of Dr. Brackeen’s humor… noted in Malissa and my original complaint letters, Dr. Brackeen made a statement about losing his “crystal ball.” Should I assume that I “mistook” that as insolence instead of humor?
Again, nothing was noted on Spanky’s chart about this after hour visit.
“I did not hear from the owner for the rest of the week until Monday morning around 4:00 am”
This statement really represents my overall concern about the treatment of Spanky. Clearly, Dr. Brackeen’s record keeping is inadequate. I called Dr. Brackeen on Thursday morning, January 20, 2011 (attached are phone records that indicate the date and time). This is three (3) days after Spanky’s initial surgery, not a week.
I wonder if Dr. Brackeen took my or Malissa’s first complaint letter seriously? I wonder if Dr. Brackeen takes any of this seriously. Surely if he did, he would of paid closer attention to his notes when responding to this board. Of course, I’m assuming that he wasn’t hurrying – trying to respond after passing the deadline had past, and that his records were detailed and correct.
Do I even need to say that this call was not noted on Spanky’s chart?
“I do not have any help till after 7:00 am and recommended she come in at that time which she did”
As noted on my original letter, I arrived at the Anchor Road Vet Clinic at 6:50 am. I stood outside and waited for someone to let me in. Desiree (assistant #2) drove in, parked and let me in the clinic at 7:00 am. I had been standing outside with Spanky in my arms for ten (10) minutes waiting on someone to let me in. When I walked in Dr. Brackeen and his daughter were both inside drinking coffee. I get and understand that people have hours of operation. But, Dr. Brackeen knew I was coming, and was aware of my concern for the urgent needs of Spanky, and I believe he should have first considered them over the last 15-minutes of coffee and conversation. I believe this also falls under the veterinarian-client-patient relationship: The veterinarian is readily available, or has arranged for emergency coverage, for follow-up evaluation in the event of adverse reactions or the failure of the treatment regimen.
“Spanky was depressed and slow to respond. There was redness in the surgical area”
This statement disturbs me and pains my heart. Please go back to my original complaint letter to read what I reported Dr. ________ did when I walked into the clinic. Need I say, nothing was noted in Spanky’s chart about being depressed, slow to respond, or redness in the surgical area.
“Temperature was 99.6F”
Nothing noted on Spanky’s chart.
“The iodophor gauze was removed”
Nothing on Spanky’s chart.
“Additional antibiotics were administered”
Nothing on Spanky’s chart.
Where is he getting this information from? I suppose a person could remember details like this. But aren’t those kinds of details normally documented. His noted medical condition notwithstanding, I can’t help it… I’m doubtful of his ability to remember these details.
“Spanky passed away after 10:00am”
I have attached my phone records that clearly indicate that I called before 10:00am and Spanky had already died. What time did Spanky die? Or is this another example of what I believe are just dates, times, and facts pulled out of the air and hastily applied to an already late response. It would be nice to go to Spanky’s chart to see accurate information that I deserve and am entitled to know as an owner.
“He was wrapped and placed in the freezer as we do any other deceased animal”
I know and accept that this is normal procedure. And I know that Dr. Brackeen could not have known that Spanky always liked to be wrapped up in the cover. I guess it made him feel warm and safe. But knowing those things didn’t make it easier to hear, and I’m not sure saying “putting him in the freezer” is the kind of information that falls under the “kindness, mutual respect, and dignity” part of the code of ethics. I am sure it isn’t very good bedside manner.
“The owner was called and informed of the situation”
Incorrect… from my attached phone records it clearly shows that I called Dr. Brackeen’s office. They did not call me. I feel confident that if there had been a note in Spanky’s records, Dr. Brackeen would have been able to read that it was me who called.
“I stop seeing people after 5pm”
I was not told this when Dr. Brackeen and I spoke before 10am the morning Spanky had died (January 20th). Dr. Brackeen told me to come by later and we would talk. The sign on the clinic door states that the office hours are 7am to 6pm (*Note* - that sign has been removed). I waited till later in the afternoon hoping there would not be other people there because of my emotions. I would have been there earlier to speak with Dr. Brackeen in private if he had told me he stops seeing people at 5pm. It just seems to me that providing a private area, with few distractions would have been much more appropriate to talk with a grieving owner than in the public waiting room.
I understand that his family time is important, but he asked me to come in later that day to talk. I had my children with me and we were looking for some kind of answers to help us deal with our loss. Dr. Brackeen treated us with very little respect, and made me feel *again* as though I was bothering him and wasting his time. His answers to our questions were short, rude, and I considered them unfair, inconsiderate and without compassion.
“I have no idea as to the cause of death to this patient”
Of everything I’ve read in Dr. Brackeen’s responses to this board, this is unfortunately the one thing I believe is probably the most honest. Maybe if he had actually bothered to make proper notations in Spanky’s records he would have an idea. Dr. Brackeen never told me that he had “no idea” what the cause of death was. Dr. Brackeen in fact told me that cancer caused Spanky’s death for one. He also told me that Spanky’s age combined with a difficult surgery resulted in Spanky’s death. We were also told that the effects of the anesthetic were the reason. None, not a single one of those excuses – and that’s what they are, because he has admitted in writing to this board that he has “no idea what the cause of death to this patient” was – none of those stories he told me and my family are noted in any way in Spanky’s records.
I probably could have handled an honest answer. Even that he had no idea why my Spanky died would have seemed like an honest answer. But it was too apparent to me that he was making excuses, and I didn’t want to hear excuses… I wanted to hear the truth.
“I feel sorrow for the family and hope with time their anger will heal”
I can talk about Spanky now without crying. I think about Spanky and the good times, the joy that he brought my husband and I, our girls, and our grand children, and what a sweet, sweet boy he was. It still hurts though and I still miss him and I still question my decisions that night. My life seems divided between now and when I had Spanky. And I wish that I could go back to that day and start all over. I know that hindsight is 20/20 and I have to tell myself that I thought I was doing what was best for Spanky, and how could I have known the outcome?
“We all hurt when we lose patients and I feel that sometimes my own hired help sometimes hurt the most”
I cannot speak on how Dr. Brackeen’s assistants felt about the loss of Spanky. I will just refer to my original complaint letter and the sympathy card that I received from his assistants, Jessica and Desiree. The note they wrote on that card says it all. I know that they truly cared about how my daughters and I felt in our time of sorrow. They were compassionate, caring, understanding and honest with their answers.
“Unfortunately, owners misunderstand techs and the statements made by the veterinarian in sad situations”
Well, it seems by this response that Dr. Brackeen has found his crystal ball he claimed to have lost. I think “presumptuous” is a nice enough word to define my feelings of Dr. Brackeen telling me and this board what I did or did not understand. I did not misunderstand anything that was said by Dr. Brackeen or the assistants in this situation. If I appeared to be confused or misunderstanding anything – it was all the different excuses I’ve noted he was throwing out to me. And I probably still have the appearance of misunderstanding after reading everything I’ve read in his response – the wrong dates, the wrong times, the things I haven’t heard from him before or read in Spanky’s records… yes – it’s confusing.
I tried to get all the answers. When I didn’t - I did the research and ask questions before I ever decided to make a complaint to the board. I believe Dr. Brackeen was dishonest with my family and uncaring about Spanky’s health situation. It is my opinion he has acted the same in his responses to this board.
This is the last paragraph from my first complaint letter:
Should Dr. Brackeen have done something to make sure that Spanky could make it through the surgery? Should Dr. Brackeen have helped me find the proper medical care to save Spanky? Should Dr. Brackeen be allowed to continue this type of behavior? Should another pet suffer and die the way that Spanky did? Again, after research and educating myself should Dr. Brackeen have done blood work or at least taken Spanky’s temperature? Nothing is noted on Spanky’s chart and I never saw any of this done. Isn’t there a standard of care that Spanky deserved?
I would like to now add these questions: Is record keeping important? Should all charts be kept up to date with everything noted and listed in case a question about procedures should arise? Should Dr. Brackeen have been able to consult his notes for his responses to the board… for instance in the date that Spanky died while in his care?
I even feel stronger now that if I were to let this go and not take action and pursue some type of investigation into Dr. Brackeen, that more animals will be neglected while in his care. I feel like that’s a price my Spanky has already paid, and letting it go would absolutely be the wrong thing to do.
Thank you for your time in this matter.
Nettie Dunn