Veterinarian in BGC accused of malpractice for death of pet dog

Netizen M. Al-alawi never expected that her 11-month-old Pomeranian dog Bella would die at the hands of an experienced veterinarian from Petcentric Veterinary Clinic in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

Based on her Facebook post, Al-alawi brought Bella to the veterinarian for dental prophylaxis because of tartar build-up which couldn’t be removed by simple brushing of the teeth.

The veterinarian ordered a blood test, which cost Al-alawi P2,800, to check if the dog was healthy. A few days after bringing her dog to the clinic, Al-alawi was informed Bella was healthy and was fit to undergo dental prophylaxis. She was also advised not to give food or water to her dog eight hours before bringing her to the clinic.

Al-alawi said Bella was very healthy when she brought her to the clinic at around 12 pm. The veterinarian told her to pick up Bella from 7 to 8 pm when the dog was expected to be fully awake after the procedure. Al-alawi was made to sign a waiver and was charged P3,500 for the procedure.

At around 9 pm that day, Al-alawi was shocked to learn that her dog had unexpectedly died.

“She was overdosed on the anesthesia as you can see she died with her eyes open. I was also shocked the doctor removed all of her ‘MILK TEETH’ DAW AND CHARGED ME P600 per tooth. She removed panels and more than 16 na ipin. Its not advisable to do that especially very small size ang dog ko. Almost TEACUP size,” Al-alawi recounted.

For Al-alawi, the procedure carried out by the veterinarian was too much for her small pet dog to bear.

“She had no remorse coldly saying ‘accidents happen’ as if it were nothing,” she added.

According to Al-alawi, the veterinarian never informed her about the possibility of Bella dying from the procedure.

Al-alawi’s post has since been deleted.

Here’s the full story according to Al-alawi’s Facebook post:

I would like to share my story of a Vet Malpractice to my Pomeranian which caused her DEATH. 

I brought my 11 months old baby for her teeth cleaning ( Dental Prophylaxis ) Due to her tartar which can’t be removed from just brushing her teeth. 

She first asked me to have her blood test, so that she can examine if my Dog is healthy. She charged me P2,800. Then after a few days she called me and said that my Dog is healthy and ready for her Dental Prophylaxis. She advised me not to feed food or water for 8 hours before bringing her to the vet.

I brought her in at 12pm She was very healthy.Her dental prophylaxis is P3500. She said i can pick my dog up when shes fully awake around 7-8pm. 

She made me sign a waiver before leaving, I expected her to be a experienced doctor since the fee she is charging me is more than expensive then other vets. 

I called her at 4pm to check on my baby and she said that she was fine. 9 pm she called me and said that there was bad news. My dog died. 

I rushed to the vet here in Fort bonifacio, and I saw her laying on the table lifeless.

She was overdosed on the anesthesia as you can see she died with her eyes open. I was also shocked the doctor removed all of her “MILK TEETH” DAW AND CHARGED ME P600 per tooth. She removed panels and more than 16 na ipin. Its not advisable to do that especially very small size ang dog ko. Almost TEACUP size

Hindi kinaya ng dog ung ginawa niya, She was still confident saying that it happens naman daw. She never informed me of the risks or possible death. She told me maliit na na procedure, just cleaning her teeth.

Hindi kinaya ng dog ung ginawa niya, She had no remorse coldly saying “accidents happen” as if it were nothing. This is my precious baby. She never informed me of the risks or possible death. She told me maliit na na procedure, just cleaning her teeth. Never would have I expected to be staring at a lifeless corpse and burying my dog that day.

Please beware of her, she took away not just a Dog, she took away my baby. A family member. 

I dont want this to happen to any other pet owner especially in fort bonifacio, the neighbourhood I live in. Its devastating and unjustifiable.

PLEASE SHARE!!! Dont let this happen to Any other pet owners!

Sources speak up

While Petcentric Veterinary Clinic has yet to release a statement regarding the issue, sources informed  The Dailypedia that what Al-alawi posted was allegedly not the full story. Al-alawi was supposedly informed beforehand that Bella also needed tooth extraction as her milk teeth had not fallen out on their own and were beginning to crowd in on the permanent teeth that were growing. The crowding of the teeth also contributed to the build up of the tartar.

According to Veterinary literature, anesthesia is required while performing dental prophylaxis and there is an inherent risk to the animal who is put under sedation. Also, the animal dying with its eyes open is not indicative of anesthesia overdose as this is a naturally occurring phenomenon in many patients under anesthetic.

Sources also indicated that Petcentric Veterinary Clinic is also seeking legal consultation on how to resolve the issue.