1 week Ago By [email protected] (Davina Jethwa)
A devastated dog owner is demanding answers after his much-loved pet died while receiving care from a leading animal charity. The PDSA has launched an investigation into what happened to eight-year-old Diesel amid claims from Lee Taylor that a drugs mix-up occurred. The 37-year-old says the German Shepherd-Rottweiler cross was given two different medications which should not be used at the same time.
The dog was being treated at the charity’s pet hospital in Gillingham which offers free or low-cost care for people who can’t afford private vets’ fees. Mr Taylor, who has made a formal complaint, says Diesel’s painful death was avoidable. The pet had been taking the anti-inflammatory drug Meloxicam since December for arthritis.
But after developing a skin rash, Lee took him to the hospital on April 9, where he was prescribed and given the steroid Prednisolone. Just six days later, he took a turn for the worse. Mr Taylor said: “In the morning, I woke up and Diesel was downstairs sort of slumped, so I opened the door to see if he needed to go to the toilet and he went outside even though he hates the rain.
“He wouldn’t get off the floor, so I called the vets and they told us to come in, and as we got to the reception, he just dropped to the floor and would not get up. “The nurses came to check him and carried him out back, they gave him some gas and air, and after about 10 minutes, she said he’s thrown up about half the blood in his body.” Staff told Mr Taylor it seemed like Diesel had wood chippings in his stomach, which he says he strongly contested.
They told him they would need to carry out X-rays and blood tests, but just 10 minutes after leaving, they called him back. Diesel’s liver had gone into shock, and he would need a blood transfusion within an hour to survive. Mr Taylor added: “He was in a lot of pain at that point.
He tried to stand up a little bit and as he did, he took his last breath, slumped back down, and that was it - he was dead. “The lady who gave him the steroids came and said to me, ‘I'm very sorry, I didn’t realise he was on that medication’ - they still didn’t tell us that it wasn’t because of wood chippings.” Desperate for an explanation, he returned home and searched the drugs online, discovering that combining the two can cause gastric ulceration - sores that develop on the lining of the stomach.
In the pet’s medical history, which has been seen by KentOnline, the PDSA does record that Diesel had been given meloxicam and steroids at the same time. The notes say Mr Taylor had failed to mention the first drug had been administered before seeking help for the second problem - something he strongly denies. A spokesperson for the charity said: “We’re very sorry to hear about the sad loss of Diesel and offer our most sincere condolences to his family at this very difficult time.
“We treat all complaints very seriously and fully investigate them in order to discuss and support owners through any concerns they may have. “An investigation is now under way by the client services team to provide an impartial review. “As the investigation has just begun, we’re unable to share more details at this time, and appreciate patience whilst we thoroughly explore all matters raised.
” But Mr Taylor, who recently moved to Gillingham from Sheerness, will have to wait until June for the inquiry to conclude. “It’s just having no answers,” he said. “I know he was in pain as well, and it’s just been eating at me non-stop.
” Paying tribute to Diesel, he said the pooch was a part of his family. He wasn’t just a normal dog. If you were sitting there feeling sad, he’d be on your lap.
“If you were stressed out and needed some space, he would sit there - he was just such a good dog. “He was good at reading people, sensing them. He had such good character.
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