A few weeks ago, I stated that once I was emotionally ready, I would file a formal complaint…read moreregarding the care my 8-year-old Great Dane, Baylen, received from Dr. Margaret Sterile at Pet Health Center in Decatur. I have now filed that complaint and have supporting documentation. On Thursday, December 12, 2024, Baylen, who had previously been healthy, became lethargic and developed blood in her urine. I contacted the veterinary office and spoke with Meghan Sterile. I explained my concerns and believed Baylen might have a UTI. Meghan suggested it could be a kidney infection but did not advise me to seek emergency care or ask additional questions that might have helped determine the severity of Baylen's condition. I brought Baylen to the clinic as scheduled. She was able to walk into the clinic on her own. Dr. Sterile examined her, took her temperature, and drew blood. She asked whether Baylen had received the Leptospirosis vaccine. When I said she had not, I was repeatedly questioned and made to feel negligent. Dr. Sterile quickly concluded that Baylen had Leptospirosis, told me she was contagious, and said I would be lucky if she survived the night. I was told Baylen had to remain at the clinic because she was considered zoonotic. I was not given the option to take her elsewhere, although the medical record later stated that I had been offered a referral. I begged for information about her treatment and asked to see her. I was eventually allowed to spend approximately 45 minutes with her, but I was not permitted to touch her. I was told she was contagious and that I could not return to see her before leaving. I was told that Meghan would be caring for Baylen throughout the night and that Baylen was doing well when I received a call at approximately 11:45 p.m. The next morning, around 8:10 a.m., I was told Baylen had become significantly less alert and needed to be transferred to a 24-hour emergency facility. I was never notified during the night that her condition had deteriorated. Had I known, I would have arranged an emergency transfer much earlier. I immediately transferred Baylen to VEG in Fort Worth. During the drive, Baylen appeared almost unresponsive. Approximately 20 minutes into the trip, she began crying and howling in severe pain. This was completely unlike her normal behavior, and I had never heard her make those sounds in her eight years of life. When we arrived at VEG, I was told within minutes that Baylen did **not** have Leptospirosis. Further examination, ultrasound, and testing determined that she was septic and suffering from a **spleen torsion and a ruptured uterus associated with pyometra**. By that point, her condition was too advanced for surgery, and she was unable to survive the procedures that might otherwise have saved her life. We were forced to make the heartbreaking decision to euthanize her. I believe Baylen's death could have been prevented if she had received a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment when I first brought her to Dr. Sterile. I was later informed that the clinic did not have an in-house Leptospirosis test and that the test had to be sent out. To my knowledge, no confirmatory Leptospirosis testing was performed before Baylen was diagnosed and treated as though she had the disease. I also believe other diagnostic testing, including an ultrasound, should have been considered to determine the actual cause of her rapidly declining condition. I have concerns about inconsistencies in Baylen's medical records as well. The records state that I was offered a referral and that certain testing was performed, including a progesterone test, neither of which I recall occurring. I also have concerns about the timing and completeness of the chart notes. This is not my first concerning experience with Dr. Sterile. I previously had an incident involving my French Bulldog, Coco, who was heavily pregnant and approximately two weeks from her expected due date. Coco was brought in for an examination, but without consulting me about her breeding dates, progesterone testing, temperature, or other signs of labor or distress, Dr. Sterile performed an emergency C-section. The puppies were born prematurely and, despite extensive efforts to save them, all eventually died due to complications associated with being born too early. I have also witnessed other troubling incidents involving the care of puppies and believe there is a pattern of poor judgment, inadequate communication, failure to obtain informed consent, and insufficient diagnostic testing. I have reviewed other complaints and online reviews that raise similar concerns about Dr. Sterile's treatment of clients and animals, and I ask the Board to consider whether these complaints demonstrate a broader pattern. My grief over Baylen's death is immense. She was a beloved member of our family, and nothing can replace her. I believe Dr. Sterile and her staff failed to provide Baylen with appropriate care.
