I’m speculating, of course I am. But I think my speculation is justified. This is a story about the Pet Haven Animal Hospital in Kensington, Brooklyn, USA. Claire Rust took her young, male, perky cat to Pet Haven for a neutering operation. A very straightforward procedure with a fast recovery.

Clayton a cat killed through alleged vet negligence. RIP.

What is disturbing and very strange is that the article which provides this information refers to the operation as “spaying”. As we know, a female cat is spayed when her reproductive organs are removed while a male cat is neutered in which case his testicles are removed.

In this instance either the person who wrote the article has made a big mistake or the veterinarian or vet tech who performed the operation might have made a big mistake and tried to perform a spaying operation on a young male cat but only succeeded in injuring the cat. However, the journalist interviewed the cat owner. Therefore she referred to spaying. Where did she get this idea from?

We don’t know what happened but we do know that the young cat, Clayton, died a painful death a week after what should have been a very straightforward and simple operation. Claire took Clayton back to the veterinary clinic soon after the operation because he was badly distressed but while he was there he coughed up blood and the veterinarian recommended that he be put down. Claire was beside herself. The fact that he was coughing up blood indicates or suggests that there were some internal injuries because of the operation. That’s why I am alleging that the wrong operation might have been performed on this cat despite it being almost unimaginable.

The veterinarian who performed the operation is, as I understand it, Dr Michael Keschner. I am not sure he did it. It could well have been a vet tech. The general indication is that this hospital has a higher than average problem with poor outcomes, in other words there is a suggestion that the veterinary staff are performing in a substandard way.

The reviews on Yelp are troubling. Out of 69 reviewers 29 gave the clinic one star. There is a warning on the website which states “do not bring your pet here!”

Four reviewers said that their pets died after routine procedures such as spaying procedures and dental cleanings at Pet Haven. On another occasion a female cat was spayed and she contracted an infection which killed her. There are reports that animals are kept in unsanitary conditions. One reviewer said she saw mice feces in the operating room. Another reported cats being let loose near an uncovered box of used syringes. Two clients reported that their pets were returned after boarding at the clinic covered in their own excrement.

Another reviewer states that when she picked up a cat after surgery she found him covered in blood and dried urine with two of his nails ripped out. Patricia says “please, please, please do not put a living being that you love through something like this”.

In fairness, 17 reviewers had an opposite opinion and gave the clinic five stars. They are surprised to see the negative reviews.

Claire Rust still, to this day, has no idea why her beloved Clayton died at this clinic. She said that she will consider reporting Pet Haven but will not hire a lawyer because they are too expensive. Comment: she will not need a lawyer to sue in the Small Claims Court. She can do it herself and it will at least kick up some dust and get some answers in my opinion because she can ask for disclosure during proceedings. She can find out what happened. It is essential she challenges the hospital for the sake of other cats in the future.