A white coat saying “DVM” but no licence: a man who treated dogs and cats for years without passing his exams has been arrested in Nashville

What happened

On 3 November 2026 detectives in Nashville, Tennessee, arrested 45-year-old Prashant Pandya. He is charged with a felony offence of impersonating a veterinarian at Caudle Veterinary Clinic on Gallatin Pike in East Nashville. Police searched the clinic at the same time as the arrest. In the following days the case was covered by local TV stations and the veterinary trade press.

How the investigation began

The investigation began in September. Police worked with the district attorney's office and the US Drug Enforcement Administration. It was prompted by complaints from pet owners who had taken dogs and cats to the clinic for procedures that ended in serious complications. Detectives know of at least seven such cases between August 2025 and September 2026.

No licence

The investigation found that Pandya had never been licensed as a vet in Tennessee. According to the state, he applied for a licence but failed the required examinations. Despite this, he presented himself as a doctor of veterinary medicine, called himself “Dr Pandya” and wore a white coat with “Dr. P.F. Pandya DVM” on it.

The clinic's main vet

Local media report that Pandya had for some time been the clinic's main practising vet. Owners trusted him, not suspecting he had no right to treat animals. Police expect further charges as the investigation continues. After his arrest he was released on bond, and his lawyer has said they are cooperating with the investigation.

Owners' stories

Owners whose animals suffered after visiting the clinic say they feel relief but also anxiety. Local media report two dogs that died after treatment and a third that survived serious complications. Some owners say they suspected for years that something was wrong at the clinic.

Sandy the cat

A man named Chris told NewsChannel 5 about Sandy, a cat he was fostering. In 2020 he took her to the clinic with a limp. He says Pandya bandaged her leg, and what began as a simple limp ended in amputation. “Her leg, which used to be fluffy and ginger, turned black. It was horrifying,” Chris recalls.

Years of fear

“Six-plus years of anger, frustration and fear for all the animals,” says Chris. Every time he heard someone was going to the clinic, he silently begged them not to. Now, he says, at least he knows this man will not hurt animals any more. But he still has many questions.

“What does the licence mean?”

The main question owners are asking is how someone could work for years without a licence without anyone noticing. “What does the licence mean if someone can practise for years without it and no one finds them?” asks Chris. Investigators and the state authorities will now have to answer that question.

A gap in the law

Dr Michael Hatcher, who has practised in Middle Tennessee for decades, says he has never seen a case like it. A licence is needed to treat animals, he explains, but not to own a clinic or work there in another role. That means someone without a licence could in theory own a practice and employ other vets.

Why the DEA is involved

The Drug Enforcement Administration's involvement is no accident. Vet clinics handle controlled drugs: strong painkillers, sedatives and anaesthetics. Only licensed vets may prescribe and store them. Someone without a licence who uses these drugs is also breaking federal rules.

How to check a vet in the US

In the US every state has a veterinary medical board that issues licences. These boards' websites usually let you search by name to see whether a vet holds a current licence and whether there have been any disciplinary actions. It takes a couple of minutes and is free.

How to check a vet in the UK and Europe

In the UK, anyone practising as a vet must be on the register of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), which can be searched online by name. Other European countries have public registers too: vets in Germany belong to regional veterinary chambers, and France has the Ordre national des vétérinaires. If in doubt, ask the vet's full name and check.

Warning signs

What should worry you at a practice:

1. The vet will not give their full name and qualifications.
2. There is no sign of registration or a degree certificate.
3. Nobody explains the diagnosis or treatment plan.
4. Procedures are carried out without discussing risks or getting consent.
5. Complaints are met with threats or silence.

Your right to information

Owners have the right to know who is treating their pet, what the diagnosis is and which medicines are being used. A good practice is happy to answer questions and to provide written instructions and a copy of the clinical record. If you are refused such documents, that is a reason for concern.

A second opinion

If treatment is not working or complications look odd, do not hesitate to see another vet for a second opinion. This is normal in medicine. A bandage that is too tight can cut off the circulation and cause tissue to die.

How to complain

If you believe your animal was harmed by a vet's mistake, keep all documents, receipts, photos and messages. In the UK, concerns about a vet's conduct can be raised with the RCVS, and disputes about a service can go through the Veterinary Client Mediation Service. If you suspect a crime, contact the police. The more complaints there are, the faster the authorities respond.

Bandages and splints: what is normal

A bandage on a leg should be comfortable: the toes should not swell, go cold or change colour. The vet will usually book a check-up after a few days to inspect and change it. If the leg under the bandage swells, the animal chews the dressing, or there is a bad smell or discharge, get it seen urgently.

How to become a vet

To be allowed to treat animals, you must complete a veterinary degree, usually five or six years of study, and be licensed or registered. In the US graduates take a national exam and meet their state's requirements. Graduates of foreign schools have to pass extra assessments of knowledge and practical skills. According to the state, this is the stage at which the accused failed.

Who works at a vet practice

Besides vets, a practice employs veterinary nurses or technicians, receptionists and animal care assistants. Their roles are clearly divided: only a vet may diagnose, prescribe treatment, operate and prescribe strong drugs. Assistants help but do not replace the vet. It helps owners to know who they are talking to and who will carry out a procedure.

Paperwork after each visit

After every visit it is worth getting a written summary: the diagnosis, medicines prescribed with doses, advice and the date of the next check-up. The vet's name should be on it. These papers are useful if your pet falls ill again, if you move, or if you need to prove that treatment was wrong.

Anaesthesia without a vet is a huge risk

Anaesthesia and strong sedatives need precise dosing and constant monitoring of breathing and heart. Mistakes can cost an animal its life. So before an operation it is worth asking who will monitor the anaesthetic, whether the practice has monitoring equipment and what happens if something goes wrong.

The clinic carries on

According to local media, Caudle clinic had closed temporarily earlier and has continued to operate on a limited basis since the arrest. Owners who remain clients now ask carefully who exactly will be treating their animals. Pandya's case will go to court.

Not the first case

Stories like this are not unique to the US. In various countries people are found treating animals without training or a licence, including some who offer procedures at home at low prices. Regulators stress that any medical procedure on an animal must be carried out by a qualified, registered vet.

What this means for Europe

The Nashville case is a reminder to European owners too: a vet's registration can and should be checked. Almost every European country has a public register. Regulators are also drawing lessons: who may own a practice and how staff are supervised are being debated in Europe as well, especially with the growth of corporate practice groups.

When to see a vet

See a registered vet if, after a procedure, your pet has severe pain, swelling, a change in skin colour, a bad smell from a wound, a high temperature, lethargy or loss of appetite. Get help urgently if a leg under a bandage is cold or turning blue or black, if a wound is bleeding, or if your pet has trouble breathing after anaesthesia.