My 42 day old kitten went lame in the front right paw and I rushed her to Dr. Tanner at Creekside Veterinary in Archdale, NC. After listening to me describe the stray mother left her for dead at birth and her heart beat was different than the three siblings, she diagnosed Clover with a shoulder injury after I showed her an image of a green basket 3" tall that all four kittens jumped from, after her examination and reading of two radiographs she told me to call with any changes. Within thirty-six hours she became lethargic and I called the Doctor twice, 830am and 2pm. Both times I was told the doctor was researching pain medication for a one pound kitten and would call me back. At closing almost 6pm she called. After listening to me explain she became lethargic over night and had been crying all day long in between waking every twenty to thirty minutes. She said she found a medication and would call me the following day when it was ready. Within hours after that call, Clover died in my arms at the ER at 1:30am from pneumonia. The ER doctor did not see anything going on with the shoulder but he did see an enlarged heart which inevitably led to the congestive heart and lung failure which killed her when they filled with fluid from the pneumonia. I was shocked and devastated. I filed a claim with the doctor's insurance company - Zurich American Insurance POB 968041, Schaumbury, IL -  who subsequently denied the complaint of erroneous death not once, but twice. 

I asked for a signed letter from each board member (or deciding person) on this case and have been denied that as well. 

Please help me force this insurance company to state in writing reasons for allowing a doctor to ignore a patient for ten hours and then state it will be another fifteen or more before relief (from medication) can be provided even when the guardian clearly explains lethargy and pain, even leading to death within hours from erroneous diagnosis. 

I understand that mistakes happen, it is after all part of the human condition. So the erroneous diagnosis would not be an issue if only the doctor asked to see the patient after the first phone call because even though it was not showing on initial exam, it was most certainly present within those hours of suffering before her death. But Dr. Tanner did not do that and I want to know why that is okay with this Insurance Company and the NC Board.

NOTE: Compensation requested: Refund of paid bill $361 - also denied.

Final Decision from NC Board made Oct. 22 - Denied Negligence. 

Dr. Tanner saw two images on my phone in the exam room with a lady they call 'the cat lady'. The same image that you see here, of a 4 inch basket but Dr. Tanner chose to falsify her report, stating that I said Clover jumped 3 FEET. Why did she lie? Why are they getting away with murder?

I am unable to attach but one image however I have the three doctor reports, my complaint with Zurich and NC Board and their email/letter of denial of negligence.

I spoke to an animal law attorney today who stated that Companion Animals are "property" in the eyes of the law therefore no one has recourse for malpractice in the United States. Dr.Tanner filed this complaint with her liability insurance once I asked for $361 refund knowing that no one could prove malpractice, even with her own lies. She chose to lie and act like she did not allow Clover to die for $361.