Dear Dr. Pultz,

I am writing in regards to Punky’s euthanasia performed by Susan on December 22. I am infuriated at how the procedure went, and it is my wish that Susan be held accountable for her incompetency.

First of all, let me remind you that YOU were my family’s vet. You were Fantasia’s vet for the first few years that I owned her, when I was only a teenager. After 15 or so years, I wanted to reunite with you to be both Fantasia’s vet once again, and more importantly, to be Punky’s veterinarian because I knew the day was coming that I would have to make the decision to put him down. I wanted YOU to be the person to do this. You send “your girl” (as you called her) Susan to my house without so much as an apology or explanation why you could not be the one to perform this final act for me. I promised Punky that his suffering was ending very soon, and to keep this promise, I went along with Susan’s presence.

Neither you nor Susan informed me AT ALL what I should expect at the time of Punky’s euthanasia. No one offered that I could or should give Punky sedatives before hand. No one discussed any options with me that could have helped Punky to have a peaceful, pain-free passing.

She sat down and went for the needle straight away, with barely a word to me. When Punky cried at being jabbed with the needle, I implored her to Stop and Wait. She did not stop; instead, after failing miserably at finding the vein of his first leg, she went for his other front leg. All she could say was “I haven’t poked you yet Buddy!” He cried and struggled again when she poked the second leg (to which she repeated that she hadn't poked him yet....buddy). I began sobbing and begging her to stop, because I felt like he was afraid, but SHE WOULD NOT STOP. She injected him against my will, and it would seem, before Punky was ready. All I wanted was a moment to comfort and assure him and to gather my thoughts!! Dr. Pultz, No means NO and Stop means STOP!!

When she injected the first syringe into his leg, Punky threw back his head and cried and gasped for several seconds. Susan did NOT offer any explanation for this reaction. I am left to assume that he cried out like this out of excruciating pain. This injection did not end his life. He still breathed and his heart still beat! She did not offer any explanation or words of comfort. All she did when I questioned her was defend herself by saying “I gave him the proper amount for his body weight”.

Susan then injected into his back leg. This did not end his life either. A third shot, this time straight into his heart DID NOT END HIS LIFE EITHER! Are you hearing me, Dr. Pultz??? Only the FOURTH shot straight into his heart finally ended his suffering. What did Susan say to this? “Well this is a first for me”.

During all of these injection, as Punky lived on, all Susan could say over and over again to Punky was “Yeah you’re a tough guy, aren’t you?” What an inappropriate thing to say and in such a combatant tone!!! Am I to assume she meant to say that Punky was trying to fight the euthanasia?

After she left, I noticed a huge hematoma in the rear leg that received the injection. It was dark purple under his skin. It is possible that some or all of the contents of this particular injection missed his vein altogether. Or she sliced his vein up so good that it bled profusely after she finished the injection.

I DO NOT want another animal or owner to experience what Punky and I went through. I have these demands: I want you to hold Susan accountable for her bedside manner. I want you to check that your euthanasia solution is WORKING PROPERLY. I want you to make sure that you and your vets are competent in the technique of administering euthanasia and in discussing all options with the owner as well as what can be expected during the process.

And, needless to say, Dr. Pultz, I absolutely refuse to pay for Susan’s services. At this time, I am not pursuing legal action.

I am so so sorry..what a horrible experience. I will make sure Dutchess is sedated if/when the time comes I need to have her euthanized. Have you tried a face to face meeting or telephone conversation with your vet yet? Hopefully he/she will be able to offer some explanations/apologies for how this procedure went. Please keep us posted as unfortunately this is an experience we animal lovers/owners need to be informed about. God bless you... Terri

It is certainly a heartfelt letter.

I think it will do the job and shake up their attitude to their patients.

Good luck

Love Sue

Punky's Mom,
I am very sorry this had to happen to you. This is a heartfilled letter. I think you are definately justified. The vet that saw my dog was cold and between the emergency vet and the tech.s I got conflicting information and had to make a decision right then and there. Yes the vet was very impersonable but didn't know me or my dog. It has been six months and I can still see my boy as clear as day and I am mad at my vet for what he did. I am sorry your Punky had to suffer any more from the vet sending someone else out to fill in for him. She should have had a little more compassion for you and Punky!!!! Good Luck and your story brought my sorrow back from the vault (it made me cry and remember). I hope it gets better for you.
ChrissyW

Hey Punky's Mommy,
I have one question first before I comment. Is that woman, Susan, a licensed vet?
Marcia

Oh my God, Punky's Mom, that is a very powerful letter. Your anger comes through loud and clear in it. Again I'm completely aghast at the way Susan handled this situation. Based on your experience with her, it doesn't seem like she should be working with ANY living creature. Further, Dr. Putz (I know it's Dr. Pultz, but after reading your account, I think a name chance is in order) definitely needs to be made aware of what happened.

May I ask what you're hoping Dr. Putz will do when he receives it? I cannot imagine he'll press the issue of payment and I would imagine he will want to offer you an apology (though with the threat of your taking legal action, he may feel that apologizing could jeopardize his legal position [please don't be mad at me! my boyfriend is a lawyer and I know that's the advice he'd give Dr. Putz.]). If he takes disciplinary action against Susan and/or takes steps to make sure nothing like this happens again, would that be a satisfactory outcome for you? If not, then what would be? If so, how will you ever know?

I hope what I wrote doesn't come across in the wrong way. I can see the heartbreak in every line of your letter. If you want to communicate your anger to him over Susan's terrible handling of Punky's euthanesia, your letter does so perfectly. I'm just thinking that Putz, being on the receiving end, might have a defensive reaction that could make it difficult for him to look through your very justifiable anger to see your heartbreak.

(((Punky's Mom)))

Hi Punky's Mom:

I feel soooooooooooooo TERRIBLY HORRIBLE AT THE WAY THAT YOUR SWEET PUNKY'S EUTHANASIA "which means "Good
Death"", went!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Really, I am beside myself!!!!

Your letter brings across many many good points............I think there are more that need to be included.

Also........Please contact the : American Veterinary Medical Association............
through......... www.AVMA.org


I will send you my home e-mail address, and if you'd like, please contact me when you'd like...
Okay?????

God Bless You my Friend...........

One day your heart, and the heart(s) of those in your family who loved Punky, will be fully healed.............
IT WILL TAKE A GOOD WHILE THOUGH, AND FOR THAT, I AM TERRIBLY SORRY!!!!

Love, Denise, Ben xoxo

Hey Punky's Mommy,
I agree with Marge. Your TOTALLY JUSTIFIABLE anger does come across loud and strong, and now that you've gotten some of that off your chest, I think you may want to edit your letter and tone it down a bit before you actually send it, for various reasons.

The paragraph beginning, "First of all . . . " I would omit "let me remind you," and just say, "YOU were my family's vet," etc.

I would definitely leave in every single paragraph regarding Susan and all that. I would not direct my anger AT Dr. Pulz, since you don't know for sure why he didn't personally come to your home (even tho I do believe he could have/should have at least apologize for not being able to be there).

I would use another word other than "demands."

I would omit the last sentence about paying/not suing at this time.

Punky's mommy, I know one of the main things you want to accomplish is to make sure that this never happens to anyone else. My main question is "Has Susan been qualified to do this?" It certainly does not sound like it. I know there are laws about this.

I hope I helped some, and I'll be glad to read your letter again if you want.
Love and hugs to you,
Marcia

Just want to say that when I read the original letter I thought that perhaps "request" might be a better word than "demand" for the first contact. Just thinking that if you tone the first letter down just a bit it can open the door to more healing conversation and you'll be able to get your vets attention better instead of getting the vet all on the defensive before hearing your concerns. You are doing your part to let them know what a bad experience this was and to save someone else from this happening. Please keep us posted. I'm also upset with my vets office.... horrible communication going on there.. I don't feel I'm receiving the follow up I should be and when I have questions it seems like they are so busy that I'm not always getting the proper info. I do childcare for a living. This reminds me how important my caring and loving is to the families that pay me. I'm going to try and be the best childcare provider I can be for these people. Let us know what happens.

I would send this letter out as he should know the injustice that was done both to you and little Punky. He may not do anything to resolve what was done but at least you will stand up for your little boy. More people should let them know when something was not right and things went so horribly wrong. i do agree that some of the changes that were suggested by the others might be wise. I once had a vet I told my husband she should only be working with the dead, not the living.
Ann

A huge thank you to all of you for your continuous support during this really bad chapter of my life. Thanks also to all of you for your comments on my letter. Your honesty is exactly what I need. If I was going way over the top I wanted to know. I think it was good to just let me have at it in this first draft, to just tell it like it is. Now with time and more thought I can tone it down like most of you suggested! I hope I can sound passionate yet professional in my letter. I wanted to comment on everyone's post because I'm aware that in my other threads discussing Punky's dying and death, I did not acknowledge or respond to people's kindness and support. Not that I didn't have much I wanted to say, I was just overwhelmed, and just hungered for the warm blanket you all provide. I know how good it feels to be spoken to individually. So, it looks silly..but below I have something I wanted to say to each of you.



Terri, Thank you for making me feel a little better about telling this horrible story. With some of my posts, I sometimes wonder if someone is going to tell me off for being inappropriate. I can't bring myself to call or arrange a face to face meeting. I dont know why, but I just can't. I feel like it won't go as planned. I'll either come across too strong, like an insane woman, or not strong enough, like a foolish girl. I suppose one of my greatest fears is that they will put it back on my shoulders. Like it was Punky's or my fault he didn't die as planned. People do things like that. Can you imagine this actually going to court and the vet's attorney breaking me down at the stand, using my own personal guilt and regret as a weapon against me? I must be hiding behind my righteous indignation right now.


Abby's mommy, I'm so glad that I put the warning in front of my original telling of this experience. I didn't want to..I don't know...surprise anyone. I was originally very mad at my boyfriend because he held poor Punky down with both hands while he struggled and the vet tried to find a vein. But I read recently on another thread on this message board that we go into "Auto Pilot Mode". We don't know what to do, we don't feel like we can stop once we've started. And that's what he felt like during it. But he doesn't know I've written this letter yet. He really wants me to press forward with life and not be so immersed in Punky's passing.


Thank you for your empathy Chrissy. I hope the tears you cried were tears of healing. I'm sorry your experience was not so great either.


You know what Marcia, I don't even know!! I don't know her last name even. The animal hospital does not have a website either! I can't find any information. Its pretty scary to think that he just casually sent someone who's only been a tech for the past 18 years! He kept insisting to my boyfriend that I knew her and remembered her from my teen years! Which I don't! ALl your comments in your second post are great. It's what I needed to hear. I only stressed the point of him being my vet in the past and wanting him to be the one to do Punky because I had told him exactly that in the exam room a few days before. At the time I wanted someone I knew to be the one, and not some stranger at a place we've never been before. Oh well, I guess I can't force the issue. I don't know if I will include the sentence about paying. The last thing I want to sound like is that I'm writing the letter simply to get out of paying the bill.


Its sad but probably true Margie. He will think about protectig himself before he will step out to do the right thing. I'm thinking of deleting that line about legal action, but By God, it sure feels GOOD making the threat!! If he met me demands/requests, including what you mention above, I would rest my case. Actually, I wish she would be fired, but I don't know how realistic that wish is. I just hope in sending this letter that I am not ignored.


Thats a good idea Denise. Thanks. Also, I might include in the letter the definition of euthanasia. In case they've forgotten. Thanks for the idea! I think this post is the first time you've read of my experience. I hope I haven't upset you too much. Thank you for your love, sweetie.


Terri, this might sound selfish, but oddly I don't want to have any healing conversation. I don't want to forgive them. I want a duel! LOL I know in time I'll exhaust myself and be ready to heal...lol All your comments are good and wise. Thanks.


Exactly, Ann. I do feel like I am aggressively defending Punky's honour, just like a good Momma should.

Punky's Mommy,
I wanted to let you know that it was both . . . healing and for your Punky!!!! I am sorry but these special four legged family members are our family. I think you standing up for Punky is doing the right thing. I am glad you put the letter aside and went back and read it again. This letter is part of your healing process because you are angry and we can write anything we want down on paper/computer. Sometimes things come out that might be too much so going back after a day sometimes clarifies what we actually want to say but without the anger in it. I do think you should send the letter for Punky. Obviously, Susan didn't know what she was doing but I am a firm believer in what comes around goes around. Things done in life come full circle so whether you send the letter or not or Dr. Pultz doesn't talk to Susan in the end she will have to pay her dues. I hope the dues are high for what she has put you through and Punky too. I know your boyfriend has been strong for you but you need to do this grieving process on your time and not his. I can relate to you on that because my husband was sad about Indy not coming home but now to him it was just a dog. I found out 12 yrs later he never really liked my boy but treated him as one of his own because he was apart of me. He doesn't grieve the way I do but that is okay. All people are different and grieve in different ways. Please let your boyfriend know that it is different for you. It is for me!!! Sorry its soooo long . . . sometimes I ramble. Good Luck!!!!!
ChrissyW

Dear Punky's Mommy,

I think your original draft covered everything but do agree with the others who say that you might be better off toning it down a bit. You'll still get your point across but it might make your vet want to respond to you more freely if you don't sound "so harsh". It will be hard but at least you "got it out" here first.

I will be anxious to hear what your vet's reaction to your letter is. I can't believe that Susan didn't try to contact you since the day she was at your house. She should have at least checked on you to see how you and your boyfriend were doing after going through that horrific ordeal with little Punky.

You mentioned being worried about being ignored. If Dr. Pulz is at all caring he wouldn't possibly ignore you. That would be terrible.

Thinking of you.

Lynn XXOO

Hi Punky's mommy:

Oh please, do not worry at all that what you have written has upset me in any way!!!
Not at all!!

I think that you saw Punky go through something that was horrible, and quite unnecessary, my friend..... What you posted angered me.......For YOU and for your sweet Punky!!!!!

My thoughts are with you!!!!

All of the people that have written to you, they have given you FANTASTIC ADVICE............. REALLY....

I myself, I'm the type to "attack" in my writing, especially when I AM VERY, VERY HURT!!!!.........
so, when people have given you advice to "tone down", etc., .., that advice is from their heart...
And, it's wonderful advice!!!
You've been given the best advice!!!!!!

I've worked in the "human medical field", for over 20 years in my life-time, and the patient's who write, if they have something to complain about.........
The people who write that don't "attack" right off the back..........they are taken more seriously............
That I can tell you with 100% accuracy....

An "attack" letter puts the recipient on the defensive "straight away"!!!!!!
So, "as hard as it is", (and, Dear God..........I know that IT IS)........TRY TO BE NICE.....
As much as you can..........

We are all hear for you, my friend............

God Bless You Always...........

Love, Denise xo

Punky's Mom
I have to be honest....I am one of those people that cant read your post, I have read a few lines and my heart just breaks, maybe it's because of my lack of strengh to be there when Moose had to go. I am afraid it would give me haunting thoughts of what might have happened.... But my heart goes out to you and what you had to go through I have a pretty good idea. Just know that although I havent responded much to you that it is because yours is a pretty tough one. I agree you should send that letter, When I called at 6am the next morning this women told me how moose was screaming when she came on shift and urinated on himself, I could'nt belive she did that it just tore me up, she said he was fine cause she gave him a shot.....i know it was because it was the time we get up and for the first time in 9 yrs I was not there that in itself will always haunt me. Bless you, Pamela

Hi Punky's Mommy,

Catch me up, what ever happened with this letter? what was the final draft, and did you send it? any response?

I know what you mean about wanting a duel... my vet, who had taken care of Jake for all of his almost 12 years, who *gladly* took our money for all those visits - when Jake had that seizure out of NOWHERE and I wanted him to be seen at the soonest time, the very next am, which was within 12 hours, my vet was very begrudging about it even though he was not busy that morning, and he spent about 10 minutes chewing us out for wanting to see him early and only did a very cursory exam, he didn't even take Jakes temperature. He gave us NO advice on what to do or how to care for him or what may have caused it, and just said "lots of dogs have seizures, they are just fine"... well, Jake was dead a few days later and I am sure he suffered needlessly, at the very least he could have given us something to make him more comfortable in those final days -- and I had no clue the end was coming. I hate that man. I am convinced he is abusing the veterinary drugs, there's no other explanation for his callousness that day.

So I understand the duel thing, I would like to do much more than just send this guy a letter, he could care less anyway. Sadly it seems no one really cares about our animals, there is no recourse, they are considered mere "possessions" and it is extremely difficult to find a decent vet. I am so disillusioned myself.

Whew!!! That was the most upsetting post I have ever read. I just assumed everyone who had their pets euthanized found comfort in knowing they died in an instant pain-free manner. I can't imagine having to witness such a horrible thing and I'm so sorry you had such a bad experience. Having to deal with THIS in addition to Punky's death is just too much.

I think you should send a toned down version of your letter to your vet and let him know what a jerk he is and that this Susan person doesn't even qualify as a human being. These people are supposed to be professionals and they should be held accountable for their incompetance.

Vet bill? I'd tell them to stick it where the sun doesn't shine!!! If a person is an established customer of a vet here in my area of the country, the vet doesn't even charge a fee for euthanasia....it's provided as a free service.

It's very disturbing to know what a bad experience you had. Maybe your letter will open their eyes to their insensitivity and spare some other pet lover the heartache you're going through.

I'm very sorry this happened to you and Punky.
__Jim

Hey Jim and J4lorn - I haven't revisited the letter yet to modify it and send it out. Its like picking a scab open again. I can't even light the same incense that I burned that evening for the sinking dread and horror that it recalls in me. The experience was so traumatic for me that for the first two weeks after Punky's passing, the horror of his euthanasia simply eclipsed any normal grieving that I should have been having. Only now in these past two weeks have the tears of hatred and pain been replaced with tears of loss and healing. Its funny that you two write just now when this post had gone on to page two or three. Last night I dreamt of another animal being put to sleep by the same clinic. As I watched, I was interested to know if he would take one last breath and die peacefully or if it would be a repeat of Punky. It was, though it wasn't as bad. He just kept breathing for a loooong time. So if dreams mean anything, I wonder if their euthanasia solution is so f**** up that they've just gotten used to it not working properly over there?

Soon I will go back to that letter, revise it, throw it in the mail, and forget about it. I don't think anything will come of it, but I need to do it in memory of the Punk man. He was the best. He deserved so much more than I knew how to give him

We could never, ever get enough of eachother. It's like our love for eachother came from an eternal spring. There was simply no beginning and no end to our devotion to eachother. Like a cup that can never get filled. Every single day, when I'd come home from work, he'd be at the door to greet me, grinning, begging, and dancing, and I just dropped to my knees to him right there. We would embrace eachother tight, him nuzzling deep into my arms, and we'd stay like that for a good 30 seconds until we got our "fix" of eachother and then we both got up, were both like "whew!! great to see you again!!" I know I'll never love anybody like that again.

Hi Punky's Mommy,

I posted on this again because, thanks to MD changing how many threads are shown on a page, this one was on page 1 again instead of on page 4982 . MD changed the # of threads from 15 to 75, I think, and EXCELLENT IDEA MD!! Thank you!!!

Actually I understand your sense of futility about sending a letter. I have not done so either for Jake and I feel I should, just to let the b@*#&! know how I feel, but I know a letter would just be laughed at and tossed in the trash. He couldn't be bothered when he had a distressed live breathing animal right in front of him, what's a piece of paper? This man took our money for 12 YEARS but when we really needed him, not only did he abandon Jake but he made us feel like crap and misled us about the seriousness of what had happened. For most of Jake's last days after the seizure we were thinking he would be fine, that he just needed a few days to recover. Little did I know he was actually dying. I figure now that nothing could have reversed the brain damage from the seizure, but for sure something could have been done, meds given, to at least calm him down (he was very agitated, pacing) and make his last days more comfortable.

There was a book I saw on Amazon.com about pet loss, and she had a chapter about malpractice in it... maybe this is one you and I need to read. I'll try to find it again.

Dear Punkys Mom

Little Punky has been in my thoughts every since your post telling us what happened to him on his final day. It was the most difficult and heart rending thing I have ever read. He was such a lovely little dog with such character it is wicked what happened to him and it should never happen to another animal, and this Susan person should be struck off as a vet and as a human being too!

If you send your letter then maybe someone will take note and maybe it will save another poor animal suffering in the same way. If you don't send it then the veterinarys will think you were happy with the service. Let the highest authority at the veterinarys know.

I saw the new lovely pictures that you have posted of him in his Tribute he really is such a darling.

My thoughts are with you

with love
jilly

This is the first time I've ready your letter to your regular vet. I firmly believe you should send one to him. Second, I agree that you should tone it down, but you need to make sure your disappointment, hurt, and anger are still apparent to him. He may not know what she's like when she's not trying to make a good impression on him. Third, you should definitely contact the AVMA, especially if you find out she's not a licensed vet. As much as you like your regular vet, he may not be following their guidelines. These are all things you would think of yourself after you've gotten over your original anger. You need to stand up for all the other animal owners going to his clinic. You may not be the first.

Please keep us updated about this situation. All of our vets are part of our medical team for our babies. It's time that some of them remembered that. WE pay their salaries - they're not doing us a favor by seeing them

Good luck.

Your experience horrifies me beyond words. You expressed yourself well & I think both of them deservet to know how you felt, & I hope they share some of your pain, as they seem to deserve it. It was expremely poorly handled by the vet & his asst. I'm glad our vet seems to have taken better care of Whitey. It was hard enuf letting him go, without thinking of him having to suffer any more than he was already. I hope he is happy now - at the rainbow bridge, & that he won't forget me.

punky's mom,
i read your post with growing horror! i can't even imagine what you and punky went thru at the hands of that cold, insensitive person. i think you should definately send that letter. it is unthinkable that she is still out there, doing that to other unsuspecting people who need care and compassion for their loved ones.

having just been there when my calvin was laid to rest, i can't even imagine what you went thru. our vet is so compassionate, and caring. they gave us all the time we needed to say good-bye, even though it was their lunch break, and they let us stay as long as we wanted after to say good-bye. when they took calvin away, i asked them to please treat him with dignity and the vet tech was adament about the fact that they would. and today, i received a card in the mail from the vet and everyone in the office signed it. i sowish you oculd have had such a positive experience like we did. then maybe some of the grief you are feeling wouldn't be so bad.
sending you hugs and prayers of comfort,
stacy

Punky's mom,
That letter makes me feel so sad. But by you sharing this experience, I feel that I can now be a better advocate for my dog Lucy, as she will have to be euthanized shortly. Our vet is good, but he is rather "gruff" and doesn't always have the best bedside manner. He cares, and that is why we have stayed with him throughout, yet he is not necessarily the most sensitive person and I need to be on guard for that when the time comes. I just want it to be a peaceful procedure and I want my Lucy to be treated with the dignity and respect she deserves.

Thank you for giving a heads up to those of us that haven't done this in awhile. Some vets/ nurses are so jaded and callous toward animals it is a wonder they are in the business at all. I used to want to be a vet more than anything because I love animals so much, but I knew early on that it would be far to painful a job for me to bear. You were with Punky until the end, and that mattered more than anything...
Caroline