Hello, everyone.
Please tell me if this is not allowed, but I want to share Sibyl’s story and learn your thoughts either as a veterinary provider, pet owner, or compassionate person. Obviously this trauma has tested every single one of my coping skills.
Last night I submitted the following complaint to the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. My soul is in pieces. Thank you for reading:
“On Saturday, March 18th 2023 I took my 9 year old white tabby cat, Sibyl, to VCA Spring Hospital for a wellness check where she was diagnosed with an ear infection. She was treated with two syringes of Enrofloxacin / Ketoconazole / Triamcinolone ointment in each of her ears and sent home while we awaited blood work. On Monday, March 20th, 2023 I was notified by Dr. Hope Atkinson, DVM that Sibyl met criteria for early diabetes, at which time I reported an adverse reaction to the triple antibiotic she received which presented with extreme lethargy, vomiting, and disorientation.
Upon additional research, I learned “due to its toxic side effects in cats and the availability of safer options, use in cats is generally not recommended” for Ketoconazole, a recommendation published online by the very same facility (VCA Hospital) that administered Sibyl’s treatment. Later that same day we had a follow-up appointment with Dr. Atkinson where she diminished my concerns, cleaned out her ears, prescribed IV fluids, nausea medication, glucose support prescription cat food to start at a later date, and Elura, an oral appetite stimulant, to be administered at home.
Sibyl continued a rapid neurological decline and when I expressed my concerns over the course of Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of that week, I was told to “just be patient, these things take time.” I also informed them Sibyl had stopped eating, drinking, and walking independently. We were syringe feeding her every few hours. At that time Dr. Atkinson offered a third appointment to clean out her ears again and offered cerenia, a medication for vertigo. That line of treatment didn’t make sense to me and when I said as much I was offered a link to an article on vestibular disease in cats. I booked a follow up appointment for Saturday, March 25th, 2023 at 11am, however, Sibyl ultimately lost her fight and passed away early Friday morning, March 24th, 2023.
When I reported this to VCA Spring Hospital that same morning I was told Dr. Atkinson wouldn’t be in until 11am, but that they would notify her. I also spoke with the receptionist about next steps. To date, I have been met with no response from Sibyl’s doctor or her technicians. We collected Sibyl’s remains Saturday, March 25th, 2023 from Angel Oaks Pet Crematory in Spring, Texas. When I attempted to collect her medical records, I logged in to the VCA App to see that Sibyl’s account had been deleted. I requested her records on Sunday evening, March 26th, 2023 and received them the following morning, March 27th, 2023. I contacted the corporate VCA office in Los Angeles, California and was met with no response, and when I published a Google review sharing Sibyl’s story, it was promptly deleted.
Upon further investigation I discovered that on top of Siby’s existing adverse reaction, Elura in particular is not recommended for cats with a history of diabetes as it can greatly impact their glucose level. Likewise, any other vet given the same set of circumstances would not have deviated from the standard of care multiple times the way Dr. Atkinson did.
In closing, our family is devastated by the gross negligence of Dr. Atkinson and her complete abandonment in Sibyl’s aftercare. In our grief we were met with silence, and a complete lack of accountability for these damages. This untimely loss has been a traumatic and crushing blow to our family as our beloved Sibyl was very plainly stolen from us with half her life remaining. I pray you do your due diligence so as to spare other families from the same outcome.”
I hope, in time, that your memories will bring you comfort. 
