Owner Suing McMurray Animal Clinic Over Dogs' Teeth Extraction
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The owner of two Yorkshire terriers says she took her pets in for teeth cleaning, but when she picked them up from the veterinarian, most of their teeth had been extracted.
However, the vet is telling another story.
The teeth were extracted from Karen Auffenberg's Yorkies - 20 from the mouth of 6-year-old Cammie and 17 from 7-year-old Rosie. Yorkies generally have as many teeth as humans - around 32.
"I said you removed 37 teeth," Auffenberg said.
Auffenberg says she left her pets at the Hidden Valley Animal Clinic in McMurray for the teeth cleaning.
The vet who did the surgery at the clinic would not appear on camera nor did she go into specifics, but she did tell KDKA's Brenda Waters the client did sign a dental release, which includes teeth cleaning and extractions if necessary.
Auffenberg admits signing the release, but says she should have been called before the surgery.
"Why did you not take one minute and call me and say, 'I need to remove 37 teeth?'" said Auffenburg. "Cause I would have told you no and gotten a second opinion, and she said, 'I apologize for that.'"
Auffenberg says her dogs can now only eat soft food.
Dr. Julie Iverson says periodontal disease is common among Yorkies and the release Auffenberg signed states that "the removal of heavy tartar can sometimes reveal a loose or unhealthy tooth. And that extraction of a diseased tooth is, at times, unavoidable."
But she thinks the owner should have gotten a call before the surgery was done.
Meanwhile, Auffenberg has hired an attorney and is suing Hidden Valley Animal Clinic for $30,000.
"I'm doing this and pursuing a lawsuit because I don't want other people taking their dogs to a vet to get their teeth cleaned or anything, and that vet being allowed to turn around and do major surgery, which has been done to my dogs," said Auffenberg.
Auffenberg says if she wins the suit, she will donate the money to Animal Friends.
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