Winnipeg veterinarian made correct diagnosis, regulatory body rules

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This article was published 18/01/2024 (658 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A Winnipeg veterinarian previously sanctioned 11 times in 24 years has successfully fought off a complaint that he misdiagnosed a dog’s illness and gave an exorbitant fee estimate.

A Manitoba Veterinary Medical Association peer review complaints committee ruled Wenchao Zheng, owner of Animal Hospital of Manitoba (995 Main St.), gave the correct diagnosis of parvovirus and, for the most part, agreed with his treatment plan.

The five-page decision was issued Jan. 2.

In September 2023, complainant David Strickland brought his sick dog to see the veterinarian.

After being told the dog had canine parvovirus, Strickland said Zheng told him treatment would cost $2,000 and his only other option was to put the animal down.

Strickland paid the $389 appointment bill and instead took his dog to another veterinarian the next day, who he said diagnosed the canine with worms and charged him $275 for treatment.

However, the committee said initial tests did show the dog had parvovirus and, by the time it was taken to the second veterinarian, medication Zheng gave the animal was already beginning to work.

As for Zheng’s treatment plan, while the committee said the “gold standard of treatment involves in clinic hospitalization and care,” the success rate for out-patient treatment is at least 75 per cent.

“Clients can be taught to give subcutaneous fluids at home to reduce the cost of treatment and, once patients are eating and no longer vomiting, they can be transitioned to oral antibiotics,” the committee said.

However, the committee said Zheng’s plan to use metoclopramide was premature, because the medication should only be added to the treatment plan when the patient is not responding.

On Thursday, Zheng said he is speaking to his lawyers and accountant to see what impact the complaint has had on his practice.

“(The) complaints committee judged that my diagnosis and treatment of the dog was correct,” he said in an email. “Furthermore, the explanation of their findings should serve as a cautionary note, because it underlined the complexity of diagnosis and treatment of parvovirus.”

As for the disputed proposed bill, Zheng said: “I don’t understand why this was an issue. For example, if I go to buy a car and I don’t like the price, I go somewhere else. This should also be true for acquiring veterinary services.”

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca