Louis Grasso, Licensed in Connecticut and NY (Practising in New York); Steroid Sales

bit of Orwellian irony that name is!) fined veterinarian Louis Grasso $5,000 for multiple violations, including those related to the illegal sale of anabolic steroids, and suspended his license for 2 years. But when Grasso didn't pay the fines, the government bent over backwards to cut him slack and give him more time to pay the fine.

On two occasions in 1991, and one occastion in 1993, Grasso sold $2,000, $5,000, and $53,000 worth of anabolic steroids, respectively, to DEA undercover agents while he was licensed as a veterinarian in New York. Grasso pled guilty in district court (in NY) to charges related to the illegal distribution and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

Grasso was also licensed in Conntecticut. Although Connecticut also revoked his license, as is usually the case with veterinary boards and veterinarians, they immediately "stayed" the revocation. They did instead suspend Grasso's license for 2 years and fine him the $5,000.

Grasso was given 6 months to pay the $5,000 fine. But when Grasso called the Vet Board and said he couldn't pay the fine by the deadline, they entered into a consent agreement with him which allowed him not to pay anything on the fine until September 1994 -- about 1 year after the original fine. They also allowed him to pay on a schedule or installment plan.

As soon as his suspension period was over, Grasso notified the Vet Board (in October 1995) that he intended to begin practicing veterinary medicine again.

His listed address of practice was 19 Dingee Road, South Salem, New York, 10590.

He is listed with the Golden Shoe Training Center in New York, a "standard bred training facility" for horses:

http://www.goldenshoetrainingcenter.com/goldenshoeservicesoffered.html

But the New York State Racing and Wagering Board don't seem too keen to see him involved in their business. In their September 22, 2005 minutes, they said:

" 1. IN THE MATTER OF DR. LOUIS GRASSO, JR.
On September 22, 2005, the New York State Racing and Wagering Board approved Hearing Officer Russell H. Baller, Jr.’s recommendation that the refusal to license Dr. Louis Grasso, Jr. to participate in pari-mutuel harness racing as a veterinarian applicant be upheld. The refusal was based upon the finding that Dr. Grasso’s experience, character and general fitness are such that his participation in racing is inconsistent with the public interest, convenience and necessity, or with the best interests of racing generally. "

(*Emphasis added)
To read, see http://www.racing.state.ny.us/bmeetings/pastminutes/2005/092205.htm

New York Vet Johannes Gives 2 Collies Drug Known to Cause Potentially Deadly Reactions in Members of the Breed

The New York State Veterinary Board charged New York Vet Eugene Johannes with "practising the profession of veterinary medicine with gross incompetence" when he gave ivermectin to two collie dogs. Johannes did not contest these charges and signed a consent order.

While working as a vet in Allegany County New York in 2005, Johannes gave this Ivermectin to two collie dogs, and "failed to recognize a known potential lethal side effect," the charges state.

Like many veterinary board documents, these documents do not say whether one or both of the collies did in fact, die, or become very ill. But A COMPLAINT was filed that led to this finding -- so what do YOU think likely occurred? I think something VERY bad, because otherwise, owners do not usually file complaints.

This is why I tell readers of veterinary disciplinary files to ASSUME THE WORST when reading a board decision or document that does not spell out the impact of the vets actions on the pet, or the outcome for the pet. I believe these boards -- motivated by a desire to protect members of their own profession -- deliberately leave out information on WHAT the consequences of the vet's actions were, because they consider this information inflammatory. Well, it is VERY IMPORTANT that we pet owners understand that things like "gross incompetence" have very real consequences for very real patients (and their loving families), whether or not those consequences are spelled out. ASSUME THE WORST.

According to the Cassette, A Magazine for Collies, as quoted on the website of Minnesota/Wisconsin Collie rescue: "It is estimated that 30-50% of the collie breed have a deadly reaction when given the medication Ivermectin." Based on that statistic, if he gave this drug to two collies, I'm assuming one of them is dead now. (See http://www.mwcr.org/be_aware.htm)

Indeed, it seems from the wording of the Board's charges that one or more of the collies did in fact have this reaction, because it says that Johannes "failed to recognize a . . . side effect."

If one of these collies did in fact have this reaction, what did he or she likely experience?

According to http://www.k9web.com/dog-faqs/breeds/collies.html: "salivation, dilated pupils, vomiting, tremors, and difficulty walking (ataxia). Severe signs of toxicosis included weakness, inability to stand (recumbency), nonresponsiveness, stupor, and coma." And, ultimately if not properly treated, death.

PetPlace.com has a page on ivermectin, including a little slide show (two pics, one of which shows a collie suffering from ivermectin toxicity; the second page says "Ivermectin should be avoided in collies.") http://www.petplace.com/dogs/ivermectin-toxicity/page1.aspx#

The board gave Johannes a 2 month active suspension (followed by a 22 month STAYED suspension during which he can work) and fined him only $500.

So, the question I have is: Was "Dr." Johannes so dumb that he didn't KNOW about the ivermectin toxicity in collies, OR was he so careless that he knew, but he still gave the drug to the collies and then failed to monitor and treat for side effects?

Either way, I wouldn't take my pets to this guy.

Links: http://www.op.nysed.gov/jan07.htm