I took my dog to Dr. Schulman at VCA of Southern California in Los Angeles for an evaluation of his injured leg resulting from a car accident 30 days prior. My dog had seen other veterinarians on multiple occasions since the accident. I described when and how the initial injury occurred, and I felt Dr. Schulman dismissed my description and concerns. I also described when and how a subsequent injury occurred within the previous couple of days. Again, it appeared as though he dismissed my description. He made comments inconsistent with my explanation (that I repeated multiple times) of the subsequent injury. It appeared that he was discounting everything I said regarding previous events. In addition, he made comments regarding previous X-rays that I understood to not be factually true. After X-rays were taken, he informed me that the limb was so badly damaged (fractured) that if an attempt were made to repair the limb it would most likely be lame even after months of rehabilitation. Dr. Schulman strongly suggested that amputation was the only viable option. I had previously informed him that I had a modest background in the medical field and have taught Human Anatomy and Vertebrate Anatomy at the university level and hence knowledge of bone structure. I asked to see his X-rays but was not allowed to see them. In the end, I agreed to the amputation. The procedure was performed later that day. Early the next morning, I was informed that my dog had passed possibly of an embolism.
Several days later, I was able to have a conversation with Dr. Schulman, and he stated that another veterinarian assisted in the procedure because he wanted to observe Dr. Schulman’s technique regarding an amputation. I received access to my dog’s X-rays and, upon observation, I did not see the damage that Dr. Schulman described. Given I am not an expert, I showed the X-rays to my vet of multiple decades, and even he stated that he did not see the damage that Dr. Schulman described. He stated that in his opinion there was no reason to go forward with the amputation and alternative views of the limb would be needed to diagnose the damage if it did exist. My veterinarian sent the X-rays to a radiologist. The radiologist report stated that there “may” be a fracture but alternative views may help in diagnosing a fracture. The images were also sent to another orthopedic veterinarian who did not see the damage as described to me by Dr. Schulman and offered multiple routes of treatment.
Given the reports and statements by numerous veterinary professionals, it is my opinion that my dog passed as the result of an unnecessary procedure. It is also my opinion that Dr. Schulman coerced me to agree to the amputation so that my dog could be used to demonstrate his technique during an amputation.
