Vet Board Seeks to Revoke LA Doctor’s License

The California Veterinary Medical Board has filed an Accusation and Petition to Revoke Probation against Dr. Sehaj P. Grewal, a Los Angeles-based veterinarian and owner of The Melrose Vet, citing multiple allegations of negligence, improper medical practices, and violations of probationary terms.

The complaint, dated July 24, 2024, follows a previous disciplinary action in 2020, which placed Dr. Grewal on three years of probation rather than an immediate revocation of his license. The new filing alleges that he has violated several conditions of that probation, leading the Board to seek the full revocation of both his Veterinarian License (No. VET 21671) and Veterinary Premises License (No. HSP 38268).

Allegations of Negligence and Misconduct

The Board’s petition details several instances where Dr. Grewal allegedly failed to meet the standard of care, resulting in injury and death to multiple animals under his treatment.

Case of “Pip”

On May 8, 2021, an 11-month-old dachshund mix named Pip underwent a routine neutering procedure at The Melrose Vet. Despite no apparent complications during surgery, Pip’s owner reported vomiting three days later. Dr. Grewal reportedly assured the owner that Pip was “fine” and advised waiting another day. When the condition persisted, the owner brought Pip back on May 12, 2021, where tests revealed highly elevated white blood cell counts and liver function abnormalities. However, the Board alleges that Dr. Grewal failed to communicate these critical results to the owner. Pip later collapsed and was taken to another veterinarian, where he died from internal bleeding.

The Board contends that Dr. Grewal’s failure to act on clear signs of post-surgical complications constitutes gross negligence.

Case of “King Tux”

In August 2021, King Tux, a nine-year-old Standard Poodle, was scheduled for a dental cleaning and removal of a gum growth. The owner specifically requested a previously successful anesthetic protocol, which Dr. Grewal allegedly agreed to follow. However, medical records suggest otherwise. The Board found that only 49 minutes elapsed between the induction of anesthesia and the pet’s reported readiness for discharge, a timeframe deemed insufficient for proper post-operative recovery.

Additionally, the Board alleges that Dr. Grewal used electrocautery instead of a laser—contrary to what had been communicated to the owner—and that an unlicensed veterinary assistant administered anesthesia, an act that violates California law. Following the procedure, King Tux exhibited signs of neurological impairment, bruising, and blood in the urine, requiring emergency veterinary intervention. A subsequent veterinary neurologist confirmed permanent neurological damage.

Case of “Ash”

On August 31, 2022, Dr. Grewal performed a routine spay surgery on Ash, a domestic cat. According to the Board’s findings, Ash was administered multiple antibiotics, including Cefazoline and Clavamox, without documentation of medical necessity. Days later, the surgical wound reopened, requiring additional veterinary treatment. The Board cited this as another instance of improper medical judgment and negligence.

Failure to Comply with Probation Terms

The filing states that Dr. Grewal failed to obey all laws, a key requirement of his probation. In addition to the patient care violations, the Board asserts that he neglected required continuing education courses in both record-keeping and cancer treatment, a direct violation of his disciplinary agreement.

Probationary terms also required quarterly reports, but the Board alleges that Dr. Grewal failed to submit adequate documentation of compliance. These violations, coupled with the medical allegations, prompted the Veterinary Medical Board’s renewed push for full license revocation.

Potential Consequences

If the petition is granted, Dr. Grewal faces:

• Revocation of his veterinary license.
• Revocation of his veterinary premises license.
• A fine of up to $5,000.
• Liability for investigative and enforcement costs.

The Board’s decision could significantly impact The Melrose Vet, as revoking the premises license would prevent operations from continuing under Dr. Grewal’s ownership.

Past Disciplinary Action

Dr. Grewal’s legal troubles date back to a 2020 case involving the Valencia Veterinary Center, where he was named alongside Baljit S. Grewal in an accusation of professional misconduct. The Veterinary Medical Board initially revoked his license at that time but allowed him to continue practicing under a three-year probation period, which was set to expire in October 2023.

The current accusations, if upheld, could result in permanent loss of his ability to practice veterinary medicine in California.

Next Steps

Dr. Grewal is entitled to a hearing before the Veterinary Medical Board, where he can present a defense. If he contests the allegations, the case may proceed to administrative hearings, where an Administrative Law Judge will issue a ruling. The Board will then decide whether to enforce the revocation.

Neither Dr. Grewal nor The Melrose Vet have publicly responded to the allegations as of this publication.

Ongoing Concerns in Veterinary Oversight

This case highlights growing concerns over veterinary oversight and the Board’s disciplinary processes. Pet owners frequently place immense trust in veterinarians, and allegations of negligence, improper drug administration, and lack of transparency raise questions about consumer protections in the veterinary field.

The Veterinary Medical Board’s decision will serve as a precedent for future disciplinary actions against practitioners who fail to meet the standards of veterinary care.

Readers can access the full DCA Document.