Rule Peter M DVM

Dr. Rule did surgery on my cat back in 2007 after she had been attacked by a dog. Dr. Rule spent the night in the clinic because he was worried about her. I completely trust him with the care of my pets. I recently took my cat to him for a second opinion and received such better care from him and Tracey than I did at Maplewood Animal Hospital. The only reason I didn’t take my kitty to him first was because I live in Bellingham now and was trying to find a local vet. I will be making the drive to Ferndale from now on. As a side note, surgeons make mistakes, sometimes on routine surgeries. It happens; they’re human. That is why you have to sign a consent that you understand the risk associated with surgery. I work in the operating room and am very aware that surgeons are not superhuman. It’s a shame that people expect them to be.

I’ve known Dr Rule for several years, and he is a very smart and attentive Vet. He hasn’t always had some of the bed side manners, and that’s probably what got him in the News (but keep that stuff in perspective, this is a small town newspaper trying to get a big, sensational story).
I trust him with my animals, and I don’t trust the local newspaper to accurately portray any story that has the potential to boost traffic to their site.

Posted: 10:26 a.m. Monday, Oct. 14, 2013
Veterinarian on probation for hurting animals, botching surgeries
FERNDALE, Wash. –
A veterinarian was put on probation for three years for botching surgeries, taking painkillers meant for his patients and «using unnecessary force» on animals, the Bellingham Herald reports.
Peter Rule, who has been a licensed vet for more than a decade, will keep his license to practice.
Former workers at Glacierview Animal Hospital claimed that Rule slapped and punched dogs, pulled their tails and choked a Chihuahua to unconsciousness to subdue the dog.
Rule admitted that «at least three employees observed (Rule) using unnecessary force, excessive physical restraint and/​or threatening conduct with patients.»
He also confessed to taking the painkiller Tramadol without a prescription, pressuring an unlicensed assistant to perform surgery, letting an unlicensed assistant do other procedures she shouldn’t have, leaving the clinic with an animal still recovering from sedation and failing to meet the state’s standards of care during four separate procedures, according to the Bellingham Herald.
One dog, Daisy, died during a routine spay when Rule nicked her spleen. Another dog, Trooper, suffered permanent damage to his genitals during a neuter when Rule nicked his urethra.