On July 2, Chelsea Graham brought Her three-year-old Italian Mastiff, Draco, to Laurel Oaks Animal Hospital in Georgia for heartworm screening and vaccinations. That day, Draco arrived at the clinic with “a perfectly healthy dog”.
Graham knew her dog’s anxiety made it a little difficult for him at the vet. His size will also pose a bit of a challenge for vet technicians trying to restrain him. She said she told the vet Draco was a bit of a tough dog, and he showed them too.
During the examination, the vet’s records showed that Draco had “pounced on” the technicians. Veterinarians prescribe him anxiety medication and asked him to come back a few days later. Apparently the drug didn’t work. Draco scratched his muzzle.
Although they discussed sedation, the vet records indicate they decided to try to restrain Draco. Graham explains:
“These are medical professionals and I trusted them and I trusted their opinion. So I said, “Ok, go ahead and do it.”
Something is wrong
Graham said she then watched what happened next. Here is her account of those events:
“He was pushed into a corner where he was restrained and a chain slipped through the… [A vet tech] was tying him on the other side of the door with chains, which eventually rendered him unconscious. ”
Veterinary records later said the doctor took a blood sample and gave it an injection to Draco. Afterward:
“[Draco] not moving. From the entanglement of the things on his face, he couldn’t breathe. He was taken immediately to the operating room, where we began resuscitation. ”
Are from the situation became serious, Graham asked the doctor if Draco was okay. When it became clear that he really wasn’t, Graham began to panic.
The seizures won’t stop
Apparently while being restrained, Draco suffered some brain damage and started having seizures. The doctors monitored Draco for the next three days. Then Graham took Draco to the intensive care vet.
The vet is said to have told Graham she might have to make a difficult decision.
“They said if the seizures don’t stop within the next four hours of the night, they recommend putting him to bed. The seizures did not stop. So I had to make the difficult decision to put him to sleep. ”
Laurel Oaks waives original vet bill and also paid more than $3,000 in critical care vet bills. However, no amount of money will bring Draco back.
And Should Animal Hospitals Be Responsible?
It’s hard to imagine taking your dog to the vet for a routine check-up only to have to say goodbye forever a few days later. Hoping to prevent this from happening to anyone else, Graham reported the incident to the Georgia State Veterinary Commission and to the Georgia Department of Consumer Protection.
“I really want Draco’s story to be heard, and I want to prevent something like this from happening to anyone again.”
The Georgia State Veterinary Board is currently reviewing Graham’s complaint. The Georgia Code of Consumer Protection also referred the complaint to the Professional Licensing Division in the Secretary of State’s office.
The veterinarian’s attorney advised them not to comment. When First Coast News contacted them, the manager indicated that There are two sides to every story. It’s reasonable to note that most of the information in this story comes from official vet records or Graham’s own account.
Regardless of who or what was responsible for Draco’s death, his loss is tragic.
“My world revolves around him. I live alone and when I had nothing to do I took him everywhere with Draco and now I feel lost. ”
Rest in peace, Draco.
H/T: News about First Coast
Featured Image: Screenshot, News about First Coast
