At a glance

Location
Nashville, Tennessee
Story type
Veterinary care report
Sources reviewed
3

Wunjo, a Husky mix who had lived with Nicole Maxwell’s family for a decade, died at home after surgery at Nashville’s Caudle Veterinary Clinic, NewsChannel 5 reported. The station identified Prashant Pandya as the person who treated him and reported that he did not hold a Tennessee veterinary license.

Maxwell told WTVF that the operation was scheduled for September 8 after an examination of a growing lump. She said Wunjo remained limp at home and later stopped breathing. Her account does not establish what caused his death.

WTVF said Pandya declined its questions. The Tennessee Department of Health told the station it could not discuss complaints or investigations before formal charges. That response does not confirm that an investigation is underway.

The names and records need to be kept separate

The clinic’s team page identifies Dr. F.K. Pandya. WTVF describes a father and son at the clinic and names the younger Prashant in this case. The report does not establish that every practitioner at the clinic lacks a license.

The Tennessee veterinary board’s December 2, 2020 minutes list “Pandya Prashant Fatchkumar” under “Veterinarian- Closed.” That historical entry does not explain the closure or establish his September 2026 status. It is not evidence by itself that a previously issued license was revoked.

How to check an individual practitioner

The Tennessee veterinary board links to the state’s license verification service. Ask the clinic for the full name of the person providing care, then use the profession and that person’s name in the state search. The system’s instructions warn that spelling differences can prevent a match.

An individual license and a veterinary facility’s premises permit are separate credentials. A search for the clinic name alone does not answer whether a particular person holds a professional license. If a name or result is unclear, the board lists 615 to 532 to 5090 for questions.

Sources

On the sourcing: The family’s account and current licensing claim come from WTVF. Buddylio checked official board material and the clinic’s team page but could not obtain an individual result from the current state licensing search. The 2020 entry is historical context only.

How we reported this: Buddylio reviewed the named sources, checked the organizations and figures shown above, and added context for animal lovers. Any illustration is labeled and does not depict the actual animals or scene. No official cause of death finding, shutdown order or formal charge was established by the reviewed sources. Articles are editorial content, not veterinary advice.