I discovered the double dose because I had the records sent to me when I couldn't get an answer about what happened to the necropsy results. I also found that the last day was missing. I asked the vet about that. She said she does the charts later in the day and since Blondie died in the morning, she didn't do it. I said that is careless because she needed to document what he was given, etc.because she didn't know he was going to die. Also, with all the patients, you can't rely on memory as to what was done all day for each patient!
This is a 24 hr. emergency hospital with specialists. She is an internist.
The vet board is just getting to it because I only filed the complaint in Jan. 2002. I was waiting for her to come clean with me. When she moved, I knew she had plenty to hide. She should have told me she was leaving, as she promised to do, since T.W. was still her patient.
Multiple Myeloma
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leslks@aol.com
- Posts: 72
- Joined: Thu Oct 16, 2003 9:59 am
Re: Multiple Myeloma
Everyone is saying that this was a terminal illness and it was Blondie's time. I keep saying that each day she would tell me he could go home tomorrow, then each day she said that she wanted to keep him one more day. She had told me that the prognosis wasn't good but with the meds he could live 6 months and I certainly expected him to go home. I am sure he would have if they had done the right thing!
When I saw the dose was doubled I asked her about it. Her answer was,
"I don't know, maybe I increased it". Each time I asked if she found the necropsy results and the answer was always the same, the last time she blurted out, "I didn't kill your cat". I replied, "I didn't say you did".
Then she moved and I had second thoughts.
When I saw the dose was doubled I asked her about it. Her answer was,
"I don't know, maybe I increased it". Each time I asked if she found the necropsy results and the answer was always the same, the last time she blurted out, "I didn't kill your cat". I replied, "I didn't say you did".
Then she moved and I had second thoughts.
Lynda
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Guest
Re: Multiple Myeloma
Traci,
Where are you finding protocol for Alkeran? The manufacturer told me that it is not approved for cats. They checked five sources (I am waiting to hear which ones) and could find no recommended doses for cats.
I found it for humans though.
Where are you finding protocol for Alkeran? The manufacturer told me that it is not approved for cats. They checked five sources (I am waiting to hear which ones) and could find no recommended doses for cats.
I found it for humans though.
Lynda, I'm confused, your posts are a bit confliciting...
1) you said your kitty died shortly after the administration of the last dose of alkeran
2) you said your kitty died about an hour after the last dose
3) you said you have a copy of a record that indicates the last dose was doubled
4) you said the vet actualy told you she "might have increased it"
5) you said no record could be produced by the vet of the last day of treatment
If this is the case, then you have the record in your hand that clearly notes a doubled dose shortly before your kitty died. If that record is true and accurate, it would seem to me a copy of that sent to the state veterinary board would be enough to start an investigation.
If your vet told you she "might have increased it", there should be a record available to outline her reason for doing so, including a CBC report that would indicate a risk factor before proceeding. Any vet giving chemotherapy knows that, and they also know not to increase a dose without a full exam of the patient, vitals recorded, a CBC performed to monitor platelets. Increasing a chemotherapeutic dose without a CBC is asking for trouble. It seems strange she would openly admit increasing a dose, yet not be able to provide a written record of her reason for doing so.
Another thing that is concerning is that whenever there is a death of unknown causes and a necropsy is performed, the necropsy must be performed within 24 hours after death (unless the body is frozen, in which the necropsy should still be done within 48 hours). Also, whenever a necropsy is done, findings are recorded immediately, as well as copies of lab submissions. This could contain anywhere from two to four pages of information that should be kept in the patient's chart. It's strange that none of that seems to be available.
Was it the female vet who performed the necropsy? Or was it another vet? Again, this is where the hospital administrator or clinic owner is responsible for finding all records, including lab submission copies, necropsy report, etc. I would also think the lab responsible for the pathology would have a copy on record for the necropsy findings.
You also said that your kitty was being hospitalized, and your vet kept telling you he could go home but she wanted to keep him "another day", assuming more than a few days. So, I am assuming there was another condition going on that she was treating? Why did she want to keep him if he was not suffering any effects of chemotherapy or other complications? Was there more to his treatment than you've stated? Is there any indication in the copy of the record you have that indicates other medications given or other treatment given for something else related to or not related to chemotherapy?
As for the formulary, it is available in any veterinary oncology text, as well as known and common chemotherapy protocols developed by leading veterinary oncologists.
1) you said your kitty died shortly after the administration of the last dose of alkeran
2) you said your kitty died about an hour after the last dose
3) you said you have a copy of a record that indicates the last dose was doubled
4) you said the vet actualy told you she "might have increased it"
5) you said no record could be produced by the vet of the last day of treatment
If this is the case, then you have the record in your hand that clearly notes a doubled dose shortly before your kitty died. If that record is true and accurate, it would seem to me a copy of that sent to the state veterinary board would be enough to start an investigation.
If your vet told you she "might have increased it", there should be a record available to outline her reason for doing so, including a CBC report that would indicate a risk factor before proceeding. Any vet giving chemotherapy knows that, and they also know not to increase a dose without a full exam of the patient, vitals recorded, a CBC performed to monitor platelets. Increasing a chemotherapeutic dose without a CBC is asking for trouble. It seems strange she would openly admit increasing a dose, yet not be able to provide a written record of her reason for doing so.
Another thing that is concerning is that whenever there is a death of unknown causes and a necropsy is performed, the necropsy must be performed within 24 hours after death (unless the body is frozen, in which the necropsy should still be done within 48 hours). Also, whenever a necropsy is done, findings are recorded immediately, as well as copies of lab submissions. This could contain anywhere from two to four pages of information that should be kept in the patient's chart. It's strange that none of that seems to be available.
Was it the female vet who performed the necropsy? Or was it another vet? Again, this is where the hospital administrator or clinic owner is responsible for finding all records, including lab submission copies, necropsy report, etc. I would also think the lab responsible for the pathology would have a copy on record for the necropsy findings.
You also said that your kitty was being hospitalized, and your vet kept telling you he could go home but she wanted to keep him "another day", assuming more than a few days. So, I am assuming there was another condition going on that she was treating? Why did she want to keep him if he was not suffering any effects of chemotherapy or other complications? Was there more to his treatment than you've stated? Is there any indication in the copy of the record you have that indicates other medications given or other treatment given for something else related to or not related to chemotherapy?
As for the formulary, it is available in any veterinary oncology text, as well as known and common chemotherapy protocols developed by leading veterinary oncologists.
..........Traci
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leslks@aol.com
- Posts: 72
- Joined: Thu Oct 16, 2003 9:59 am
Re: Multiple Myeloma
Since there is no record I do not know what time he was given the dose.
They told the board they give meds around 8am. He died around 9am according to them. I don't remember what time it was.
He was in the hospital for nine days. They didn't know what was wrong so even though she kept saying he could go home tomorrow, she would keep him another day to run more tests. Once cancer was determined they had to figure out what kind he had.
On June 9th she said Multiple Myeloma. He began the Alkeran that day. There are no records for June 13th (the day he died). I know they must have doubled it because on the 12th it said give 1/2 tab. tomorrow. Then no records of what they did.
The necropsy was supposedly performed by his internist who wanted to do it to learn about this rare disease.
The hosp. administrator said the vet is responsible for keeping her own records. Pass the buck!
They told the board they give meds around 8am. He died around 9am according to them. I don't remember what time it was.
He was in the hospital for nine days. They didn't know what was wrong so even though she kept saying he could go home tomorrow, she would keep him another day to run more tests. Once cancer was determined they had to figure out what kind he had.
On June 9th she said Multiple Myeloma. He began the Alkeran that day. There are no records for June 13th (the day he died). I know they must have doubled it because on the 12th it said give 1/2 tab. tomorrow. Then no records of what they did.
The necropsy was supposedly performed by his internist who wanted to do it to learn about this rare disease.
The hosp. administrator said the vet is responsible for keeping her own records. Pass the buck!
Lynda
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leslks@aol.com
- Posts: 72
- Joined: Thu Oct 16, 2003 9:59 am
Re: Multiple Myeloma
Tracie,
The vet board, despite saying they would question the vet further, decided to skip that and just send her a letter. I was outraged! I wrote to the executive director of the board. I quoted alot of what you said regarding Alkeran protocol. Just heard yesterday that they are presenting my letter at their next meeting, Nov. 19th.
I am really pushing for malpractice! This is not a simple record keeping mistake. This is missing records and necropsy results to cover up an overdose.
I really need for to tell me which book you got the info. from. I know they are going to ask me to cite my source.
Thank you so much for helping me get that lousy vet!
The vet board, despite saying they would question the vet further, decided to skip that and just send her a letter. I was outraged! I wrote to the executive director of the board. I quoted alot of what you said regarding Alkeran protocol. Just heard yesterday that they are presenting my letter at their next meeting, Nov. 19th.
I am really pushing for malpractice! This is not a simple record keeping mistake. This is missing records and necropsy results to cover up an overdose.
I really need for to tell me which book you got the info. from. I know they are going to ask me to cite my source.
Thank you so much for helping me get that lousy vet!
Lynda
Re: Multiple Myeloma
Please check your Private Message on board (at top of forum, click "messages" button).
..........Traci