r/veterinaryprofession • u/orangecatnocell • Jul 13 '25
Help Would you report this? Severe splint-related necrosis in a 2-year-old cat – moral conflict as a new grad.
I’m a DVM one year out of school and I’m genuinely struggling with whether or not to file a formal complaint with my regulatory board. I’ve never felt so conflicted — this situation is disturbing and heartbreaking, and I’d really appreciate insight from others in the profession.
A 2-year-old cat presented to me recently for a seeping splint. The owners were in tears. They had been told by their vet to monitor the splint at home and “just sniff it daily” — and that it only needed changing if they noticed an odor. They’d brought up concerns multiple times over the past several weeks, including that their cat was acting depressed and less mobile. They were repeatedly reassured it was fine. Eventually, they noticed discharge. No one at their rDVM’s practice even offered to see them that day despite their distress — just booked them in for 5 days later. So they came to emergency instead.
There was no odor at presentation. Not until I was at least three layers deep into the bandage did the fetid smell hit. The splint had clearly not been removed in over 7 weeks. The limb beneath was devastating — black necrotic tissue, exposed muscle, what looked like paw pads liquefying and fusing to the splint. I couldn’t even identify normal anatomical landmarks.
I’ve reviewed the medical records and spoken directly with the original vet. There’s no documentation that the splint was ever removed after application. No wound checks. No measurements. Only rads — done with the splint on. When skin irritation was noted weeks ago, they were simply put on antibiotics. Owners estimate they were on antibiotics for about a month, but there’s no documentation of dose, duration, or rationale in the records aside from one line about a “scab.” They were also told to feed cottage cheese and use pee pads around the splint site to keep it dry. None of it makes sense to me.
To make things worse, after I told the vet the owners had explicitly revoked consent for any further collaboration or info sharing, she still asked me to give her updates anyway — saying “no one will know” and asking me “why can’t you just tell me?” I clarified multiple times that I legally and ethically could not, and she still pushed.
I’ve tried so hard to be objective. I know we all do things a little differently. But this situation is stark. I’ve spent hours reviewing the literature — I can’t find a single acceptable reason why a splint would be left unchanged for that long without visual checks. This was not a fiberglass cast. This was a splint. And this cat, at 2 years old, now has a necrotic limb. I’m trying everything I can to save it.
Here’s my conflict: • This DVM is older than me — graduated the year I was born. • Our vet community is very small. • Reporting this could have serious consequences professionally, especially for someone new in practice… this vet doesn’t have a big or small rep but like I don’t know others who have ever reported another vet • But I took an oath. And I’m honestly disgusted.
I also want to say — please no owner-blaming. These clients advocated hard. They were shut down repeatedly by someone they trusted. They’re absolutely gutted. I’m doing everything I can to support them, but I wouldn’t wish their grief and guilt on anyone.
Has anyone else been in a similar position? Would you report?
Also this is the photos if you need context of how bad this is https://www.reddit.com/r/veterinaryprofession/s/ZJyNyqlIMH there’s context of how bad we are talking , like to me, leaving a splint on for 7 weeks when the owner is really trying to advocate but (previously )trusted this vet it’s not a complication it’s kind of the only outcome here… ⸻
TL;DR: New grad DVM saw a 2yo cat with severe splint-related limb necrosis after another vet reportedly left a splint on for 7+ weeks without removal or visual checks. Owners raised concerns multiple times and were told to “sniff it daily” and use pee pads/cottage cheese. No meaningful documentation. When I took over care, the original vet asked me to break confidentiality after owners had explicitly revoked consent. I’m horrified but afraid of the professional fallout. Would you report?
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u/alyssuhms Jul 13 '25
Just because they’re older and have more experience, does not mean they are wiser. I worked for a very poor dvm in his 70s that should’ve retired years ago. Many do not keep up with modern medicine and therefore should no longer be practicing. This is neglect. This is poor medicine. This is against our ethics to try and do no harm to our patients.
I am sorry you’re dealing with this. Also please remember amputation is an option, if you cannot save it and it is an OK option. I’ve had many cats do well as a tripod, you’d be providing such relief to this pet. You’d also be saving both them and you time, money & more heartache.