CBS 2-Part TV Special (Channel 2) that aired on April 30, 2000 & May 1, 2000

Protecting Your Pet

Many Californians are discovering that they are on their own when it comes to finding a good veterinarian, and in fighting vets who provide bad care.

There are just four full-time inspectors to regulate nearly 10,000 vets in California.

CBS 2 News’ Randy Paige talks to victims of bad vet care and discusses how you can protect your pet.

Special Assignment: Protecting Your Pet, Part I, aired April 30, 2000 at 11 p.m.

They come into our lives full of love and energy, but if your animal gets sick, to whom do you turn?

Marc Bluestone says his dog Shane was given unnecessary medications and radiation that killed her.

“They knew they were destroying her,” Bluestone told Paige. “They had her on 13 different drugs, and the total bill was over $20,000. I don’t know of anyone who’s ever heard of a veterinarian in 90 days racking up $20,000 in veterinary bills. It’s unheard of.” [Note: Early on, Marc thought Shane had only been given 13-15 different drugs. Later on during the litigation, one of the country's leading expert Veterinarian Pharmacologists testified from the hospital’s medical records that Shane had been given 30 DIFFERENT DRUGS during this short two and a half-month span, BY FAR the MOST ever given to any animal. It was the worst case by far!]

Bluestone is suing his veterinarian for negligence.

Special Assignment: Protecting Your Pet, Part II, aired May 1, 2000, at 11 p.m. (Part 1 aired April 30).

Marc Bluestone is a successful businessman who is reduced to tears when he thinks about his dog, Shane. “I’ve always loved dogs since I was a little boy,” Bluestone told Paige. “I would say to her that ‘God blessed me with you, they destroyed you.’”

Bluestone says his dog died after a veterinarian gave her powerful medications and radiation for a non life-threatening condition.

“They totally destroyed my precious Shane,” Bluestone said.