Karen,

I am not sure if your Mom lives in the San Fran area, but I do know that the city council recently passed a law that changed a pets status from "property" to having a "guardian". In this case she might be able to sue the vet for the loss of companionship. The law just went into effect so I am not sure if there have been any legal decisions based on it, but you might want to consider it.

Cheryl