Vet probed over botched surgeries claims

A Malvern East vet is being investigated by the industry’s watchdog over claims of botched surgeries and inadequate care of animals.

Tonyalee Boxall and her mother Caroline Miller, holding Onyx’s ashes, say they were forced to euthanise the 18-month-old rottweiler after “botched” surgeries. Picture: David Caird.

A Melbourne vet is being investigated by the industry’s watchdog after a number of owners accused him of negligence and ignoring their “pleas for help”.

Dr Christopher Preston is being probed by the Veterinary Board of Victoria following allegations of inadequate care and treatment of animals at his Malvern East emergency clinic stemming from incidents in late 2018 and earlier this year.

The Veterinary Board refused to comment but the Sunday Herald Sun understands the two complaints made in the past fortnight have been assigned for further investigation.

Dr Preston hit back at the allegations saying both owners were adequately informed of the risks and possible complications associated with their surgeries.

Tonyalee Boxall, 27, claims she was forced to euthanise her 19-month old rottweiler, Onyx, after three “botched” surgeries by Dr Preston.

After discovering a tumour in Onyx’s gum in May, Ms Boxall said she was told by Dr Preston he was “confident” surgery to remove the mass would be successful and there was only a “10-15 per cent chance” the cancer had spread.

Instead, Onyx underwent three surgeries over the course of a month. 

Ms Boxall claims Dr Preston refused to speak with her or her family during this time despite their “pleas for help” concerning Onyx’s deteriorating state.

Vetinary surgeon Dr Chris Preston is being investigated by the industry’s watchdog.

Ms Boxall said she then took Onyx to a different vet where he was eventually euthanised.

“We bought Onyx with the intention of having a lifelong pet,” Ms Boxall said. “To go from having all these future plans to losing him like this, we feel robbed.”

The Sunday Herald Sun understands the Vet Board is also investigating a complaint made by the owner of a greyhound who broke his hind leg in September 2018.

Brittany Pullen said she was not adequately informed about the possible complications for surgery given the breed’s thin skin, and after a month in hospital and a severe infection in the surgical wound, Tonto’s leg was amputated.

Ms Pullen said she was initially told surgery would cost $3000-$5000 but she walked away with a bill of more than $16,000.

Dr Preston said these were sad cases but no surgery was without its risk and he took the time to communicate all options with the owners, including palliative care and euthanasia.

The US-trained surgeon said he had probably been to the Vet Board “more times than most”, but this was because he was doing a higher frequency of complicated surgeries.

“I’m taking on extreme cases that are risky,” Dr Preston said.

Last year, Dr Preston was reprimanded by the board after he was found guilty of unprofessional conduct in relation to his treatment of a cat that had been hit by a car in 2019. He was also previously cautioned on two further occasions by the vet board for inadequate client communication and clinical records.

“Dr Preston’s record indicates a weakness in his ability or willingness to communicate adequately with some clients,” the board found in relation to the 2019 complaint.

“While the Panel accepts that emergency and surgical practice are by their nature stressful and emotionally charged, Dr Preston needs to pay much greater attention to his responsibilities in providing realistic advice to clients who look to him for guidance.”