An investigation is underway following a complaint from a Westgate dog-owner that the PDSA veterinary clinic in Margate ‘brushed aside’ signs that her pup was dying.

Lucia Hart took her eight month old French Bulldog, Arnie to the clinic in August due to concerns about possible allergies and excessive thirst.

She received steroids for allergies but says her concerns over Arnie’s thirst were ignored.

Arnie then started vomiting and lost his appetite. A trip back to the vets resulted in anti-sickness medication being prescribed.

By September Arnie suddenly lost the ability to stand and walk.

Lucia says he was then wrongly diagnosed with spinal condition IVDD and given medication for back pain.

She said: “Despite me raising concerns about his other symptoms — his excessive drinking, weight loss, and refusal to eat — he was prescribed a drug that should never be given to an animal with kidney problems. That mistake pushed him into kidney failure.

“When I returned to the vets a week later, Arnie’s legs had improved, but his overall health was rapidly deteriorating. Instead of investigating further, he was given more of the same drug — which caused even more damage to his already fragile kidneys. His urine sample was so diluted from all the water he was drinking that no reading could be taken. I was told bloods were being sent off and I would need to wait an entire week for results, with no urgency, despite how sick he was.”

Luci says she phoned the vets to say: “My dog is dying,” because his gums were pale, he was vomiting stomach acid, and still drinking excessively but was assured the vet was “not concerned.”

After a night when Lucia thought Arnie would die, she sought urgent help from Vintage Vets.

She said: “Within 20 minutes they ran his blood tests and confirmed that Arnie was in deep stages of kidney failure with only a 50/50 chance of survival. They informed me that the symptoms I had repeatedly reported — excessive thirst, refusal of food, weight loss, shaking — were all clear warning signs. They also advised that the pain previously attributed to IVDD was, in fact, linked to his kidneys, and that IVDD was extremely unlikely for his age.

“They explained the medication prescribed under this misdiagnosis likely worsened what was most probably an initial kidney infection, accelerating it into kidney failure.

“I was correct when I phoned and said “my dog is dying.” Yet I was told by professionals I trusted that he was not. If I had accepted that reassurance, Arnie would almost certainly have died at home without ever receiving the urgent treatment he needed.”

Arnie was cared for by Vintage Vets but had to be rushed to The Royal Veterinary College in London where a fight for life followed.

Arnie has pulled through but the extensive care means Lucia is faced with a bill upwards of £8000.

‘Battling’

Lucia said: “He has been battling nonstop but he has shown a strength that has amazed everyone around him.

“Alongside kidney damage, we are facing the lifelong management of Addison’s disease. This means not only am I left with the huge debt from his emergency hospital stay and treatments, but I am now also facing the ongoing cost of his specialist care.

“He will need a strict new diet for his kidneys, long-term medication, and regular check-ups to keep him alive and healthy.

“I am preparing to take on a battle with the first vets to hold them accountable for their shocking attempt at caring for my sick puppy. Their (actions) put him in this position — what could have been something simple to manage has spiralled into Arnie fighting for the very chance to live the life he so desperately deserves.”

Lucia has spent some £4,000 but now needs to raise funds to pay off the vet bills.

She said: “The costs are becoming overwhelming. I’ve already spent thousands, and I am running out of money to fund the care he so desperately needs.”

Lucia has lodged a formal complaint about his initial care at PDSA and asked for a full investigation, a refund of all fees;  a formal written response outlining the actions that will be taken and receipt of all Arnie’s medical records.”

‘Investigation underway’

A PDSA spokesperson confirmed an investigation is being carried out into the complaint, saying: “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 underway and we’re unable to share more detail at this time. We appreciate patience whilst we thoroughly explore all matters raised.”

Arnie is now home and continuing treatment.

Lucia said: “Since coming home, Arnie has been settling back into his routine beautifully, and I’m so happy to share that things are going smoothly with his medication.

“It’s been lovely watching him make small improvements every day. He’s even had a little run around the house and a playful moment with Bo (Lucia’s other pup), which absolutely warmed my heart.

“Every day feels like a step in the right direction. He’s got a check-up coming up in a couple of weeks, where he’ll have a blood test to check his electrolytes and make sure his steroid dose is right for managing his Addison’s disease.

“It’s such a relief to see him starting to enjoy little moments again — a short walk, a good meal, or a nap in his favourite spot — and to see that spark slowly returning.”

Find Arnie’s fundraising page here