Pet owners frustrated over veterinarian closing local clinics

WHEAT RIDGE - Dozens of former clients of veterinarian Douglas Ikeler are upset that they never received notice about the closings of his clinics.

"No, notification whatsoever, he told us nothing," said Susie Pederson.

On Thursday, Pederson called Ikeler's office in Wheat Ridge. Ikeler ran three other clinics, one in Northglenn, Lakewood and Denver. When she got no answer she physically went to the front door hoping to get animal records for her dog "Scamper."

She found the doors locked and a for sale sign in the parking lot. Pederson says she was angry because her dog needs new vaccinations, but because the dog is allergic to certain vaccinations, she says the records are important to have if she has to turn to another vet's office.

"Panic, I was furious, it wipes out all of her history of anything she ever had," said Pederson.

While former clients may be frustrated, it appears Ikeler legally did nothing wrong.

According to Colorado state law, pet owners should have "reasonable access" to animal records. Vets must keep those records for a minimum of three years after the last exam. There is no legal requirement for a vet to notify their clients of a pending closure. There is also no requirement for a vet to turn over the records to pet owners.

"No, it would be a nice thing if he did, but no, he's not obligated to do that by his license or registration," said Chris Lines, a spokesman for Colorado's Department of Regulatory Agencies, or DORA.

The department oversees several agencies and would have knowledge of complaints against veterinarians or any violations the vet committed. Lines says Ikeler had no major violations or complaints on file. Lines says Ikeler did give notice to DORA that he planned on closing.

"He wrote a letter at the beginning of October saying he intended not to practice veterinary medicine and that he was going to sell the real estate," said Lines.

Ikeler's offices started closing in late July according to neighbors and businesses operating next to the clinics. Ikeler did contact 9NEWS but declined to say why he closed his clinics.

When asked how his former clients could retrieve pet records he threatened to sue 9NEWS and suggested that clients could perhaps contact the real state agent who is handling the sales of the offices. Lines says unless Ikeler releases the records, there are very few options for the pet owners.