By George Gombossy
Their patients can’t talk, but it doesn’t mean that Connecticut’s 1,345 licensed veterinarians get a free pass when they are negligent.
A review of Connecticut Health Department records by CtPetLovers.com shows that seven veterinarians were disciplined so far this year and in 2011 following complaints – mostly from pet owners.
Also, one Farmington resident, who was caught practicing veterinary medicine illegally was issued a cease and desist order.
Another 30 complaints against veterinarians are now under investigation, according to Health Department spokesman William Gerrish.
While the state Health Department’s website does list the veterinarians who are disciplined, the media normally only covers medical doctors who are disciplined and not veterinarians, who therefor fly under the radar.
You can check to see if your vet has been disciplined by going on line to the following state health department websites:
https://www.elicense.ct.gov/ ; which lists all professionals licensed by the state health department and includes notes on those that have been disciplined.
http://www.ct.gov/dph/cwp/view.asp?a=3143&q=435274&dphNav_GID=1830 , which lists all veterinarians disciplined between May 2012 and March 2009.
Based on documents obtained from the health department the following veterinarians were disciplined so far this year:
Dr. Teresa Love Willington
Dr. Stacey Kasperzak of Somers
Dr. Steven S. Leshem of West Hartford
Dr. Ronald Maier of Waterbury
The following were disciplined in 2011:
Dr. Jennifer Carolan of Washington Depot
Dr. Ralph Padilla of West Haven
And Dr. Neil Wolff of Greenwich
Also last year, the state Health Department ordered Shachine Belle to stop practicing veterinary medicine as she is unlicensed.
