A 10-year-old husky mix named Wunjo died at home after undergoing lipoma surgery at an East Nashville veterinary clinic, and his family says the man who treated him does not hold a license to practice veterinary medicine in Tennessee. Nicole Maxwell's family had owned Wunjo, whom they rescued from a shelter, for a decade before the dog's death.
Wunjo was taken to Caudle Veterinary Clinic on Gallatin Road in East Nashville, where he was examined in August for a fast-growing fatty tissue bump known as a lipoma, according to News Channel 5 Nashville. His surgery was scheduled for September 8, and clinic staff reported three hours after he was dropped off that the procedure had gone well.
Staff then offered to keep Wunjo overnight because of post-surgical draining, but the outlet's reporting says they also told the family no one would actually be at the clinic to monitor him during the night. Maxwell and her family opted to take Wunjo home after the surgery instead. According to the same account, Maxwell said Wunjo never recovered, and he died at home after appearing to breathe and then stopping.
Family Says Treatment Came From Unlicensed Practitioner
The clinic is associated with a father-and-son pair, the Pandya family, both of whom worked there, per the outlet's reporting. Maxwell said all of her interactions were with the younger Pandya, identified as Prashant Pandya, who the report says does not hold a Tennessee license to practice veterinary medicine. The clinic's website identifies Dr. F.K. Pandya, and Caudle Veterinary Clinic's own promotional materials say it has served East Nashville pet owners for more than 45 years.
An external veterinary directory maintained by Louisiana State University's BAER hearing testing network has listed a “Prashant Pandya” as a practicing veterinarian at Caudle's Gallatin Pike address, according to LSU. When the News Channel 5 reporter visited the clinic, it was open and accepting patients, and Prashant Pandya declined to answer questions, provided no information for grieving families, and said the clinic had no comment.
Maxwell told the outlet that operating without a license is illegal and called for the clinic to be shut down immediately, with her family demanding Caudle Veterinary Clinic's closure. The Tennessee Department of Health said state law prohibits it from commenting on complaints or investigations until formal charges are filed. Tennessee regulations include provisions addressing administrative complaints against veterinary practitioners, according to Tennessee regulations.
What Tennessee Law Says About Unlicensed Practice
Practicing veterinary medicine without a license in Tennessee is classified as a Class B misdemeanor under Tennessee Code § 63-12-119, per Justia Law's summary. Beyond criminal exposure, the Tennessee Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners has separate administrative authority to issue cease-and-desist orders, pursue court injunctions, and levy civil penalties of up to $1,000 per violation, according to state administrative regulations cited by Justia.
Any facility operating as a veterinary practice is also required to hold a state premise permit under Tennessee Code § 63-12-139, with unpermitted clinics facing monthly civil fines of $200, per a policy statement published by the State of Tennessee. The board has authority to impose civil penalties under state administrative regulations.
Clinic's Public Reputation and Local Context
Caudle Veterinary Clinic's Better Business Bureau listing is referenced, without a rating or accreditation claim. The article also discusses mortality risk for healthy dogs undergoing general anesthesia and the timing of canine anesthetic deaths.
The case focuses attention on pet-related concerns in East Nashville. Whether the Tennessee Department of Health or Davidson County prosecutors will pursue formal charges against the clinic or Prashant Pandya remains unknown, since state disclosure rules keep any pending complaint out of public view until charges are filed.
