A Kent vet has been struck off after carrying out 'unnecessary' hip replacements on dogs.

Dr Marthinus Ryk Botes, who until recently worked at Medivet in Faversham, has been found guilty of serious misconduct by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).

At a hearing this month, Dr Botes faced charges relating to incidents that happened between March 2016 and February 2018, when he was working at the Chafford Hundred branch of Medivet in Grays, Essex, where he was senior partner.

He has more recently worked at Toachim House Veterinary Surgery in Shunters Close, Faversham, which is also part of the Medivet chain.

Dr Botes admitted seven charges relating to hip replacements (THRs) he carried out on three dogs - Kilo, Daisy and Sora - and a recommendation he gave for a fourth dog, named Penny, to undergo such surgery.

He was accused of performing, and recommending, inappropriate surgery without adequate investigation, and without getting informed consent from the dogs' owners.

He was also charged with failing to keep adequate, clear and detailed clinical records of their care.

Dr Botes admitted that the charges amounted to serious professional misconduct.

The RCVS Disciplinary Committee took into account that the operations had been a source of financial gain, and that Dr Botes’ conduct had been repeated over a considerable period of time, while he was in a position of trust and responsibility caring for small animals.

It also took into account the fact that Dr Botes was previously suspended from the register for six months in 2008, after his conduct in caring for a dog that had been involved in a road traffic accident was found to amount to serious professional misconduct.

As a mitigating factor, it took into account that the vet had indicated some insight into some aspects of his actions.

The RCVS committee found Dr Botes' actions in Essex amounted to serious professional misconduct.

Committee chair Ian Arundale said: “In coming to its decisions, the committee took into account [expert witness] Professor Innes’ opinions that it was not reasonable for Dr Botes to have carried out the THR without sufficient investigation into Kilo’s pain; that the THR undertaken in respect of Sora was not in the animal’s best interests; and that it was ‘entirely unnecessary’ to recommend the THR in respect of Penny.

"Removal was the only appropriate and proportionate sanction..."

"In addition, the Committee has found that both THRs performed in respect of Daisy were not in her best interests.

"Thus, in the Committee’s view, Dr Botes’ actions and omissions did not ensure the animals’ health and welfare.”

The committee decided to remove Dr Botes from the register of veterinary surgeons indefinitely.

Mr Arundale added: “In light of the gravity of the conduct, and all of the factors taken into account, any lesser sanction would lack a deterrent effect and would undermine public confidence in the profession and the regulatory process.

"Removal was the only appropriate and proportionate sanction.”

Medivet has confirmed Dr Botes no longer works for the firm, which operates more than over 350 practices in the UK.

But it would not provide further details on when he stopped working at Medivet Faversham.

A spokesperson said the firm will now carry out its own internal review.

They said: “Upholding the very highest standards of care for our clients’ pets is our number one priority and there is nothing more important to our people and practices than this.

"We acknowledge the due process which the RCVS has completed regarding Dr Botes and we thank them for their support. We will now review the full judgement and complete our own thorough review.”