Babette Gladstein, VMD

It’s hard to give this vet even one star, let alone two.
She fails to think out of the box when needed to diagnose an animal’s problem, illness, etc. ~ and refuses to recommend a medical vet when needed. While holistic vets have their place — they are not always professionally equipped to deal with more serious issues. This doctor did acupuncture on my G-​d dog who couldn’t stand and used old info (over two year’s old) to administer «therapy.» This dog is in worse condition and we went to a medical vet who referred us to a neurologist — which is what we are doing.

I turned to Dr Gladstein when my 5 year old french bulldog was at a point where he could not sit down without being in serious pain because of herniated disc. Our original vet suggested the next step was an MRI and possible surgery. We absolutely wanted to avoid surgery at all costs. Dr Gladstein took a lot of time with me on the phone and I set up an appointment. I was so nervous about the entire thing. In our first session she spent nearly 2 hours with our dog working with him combining laser therapy, ultrasound therapy and acupuncture. I was so impressed with Dr Gladstein’s knowledge and her ability to explain what she was doing. Our dog really reacted well to all the treatments and each day the following week he became more of himself again. We continued to have sessions week after week.
Then, Dr Gladstein told us we needed to do something called Prolo Therapy. This is a series of injections to help build the areas around the joints. We were told he would need to be sedated for these injections. I asked over and over again if there was any major risk with this treatment and I was told time after time by Dr Gladstein that there was NO major risk and if anything really went south she would give my dog a shot of epinephrine and he would wake right up.
We had our first Prolo treatment and our dog had a reaction to one of the injections that Dr Gladstein gave him, She was unable to revive him and he passed away. it’s hard to believe that my worst nightmare actually happened. Prolo is NOT SAFE for all dogs, There was clearly something else going on with our dog that we did not know about, that Dr Gladstein did not know about. I wish that we had never gone down this road. Our beautiful dog is now gone. Dr Gladstein made us feel sure this was the only real way to help our dog. I know she was just as shocked that this happened as we were. But that is little consolation.

(Continued from above-​see Marc G.‘s 10÷7÷2014 Post-​Link at bottom of page)
If you want a no nonsense veterinarian who knows her stuff, from my experience, Dr. Gladstein has many areas of expertise, uses a combination of treatments, minimizes manufactured drugs, while increasing a holistic approach. Despite the last two reviewers’ beliefs and experiences, Dr. Gladstein does have a heart and a sense of humor to boot. I have experienced it, and continue to be grateful for it. I pushed Dr. Gladstein to take on the care of my new successor dog, «Hilti Gun», for we are not ready for all her talents and specialty in veterinary geriatrics. Why mess with success?
Peace and health to all.
Marc Jeffrey

To my surprise, I found my vet, Dr. Babette Gladstein, VMD, on Unilocal with two extremely negative reviews. I find myself wanting to tell my story which is in direct contrast to the two 1-​star posts (03/​21/​2014 and 08/​31/​2014).
My association with Dr. Babette Gladstein began on June 29, 2014. I awoke to find my service dog of 13 years 10 months (age 14 years 3 months) unable to stand and walk. Needless to say, I was in shock. I was afraid my regular vet was going to tell me «it was time.» I was definitely not ready for that, given «Brockolee & Cheese’s» («Brock’s») sudden decline. A neighbor referred me to the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (AHVMA) where I found 4 vets listed that met my criterias and serviced NY/​Queens. I could not get passed one vet’s secretaries. They were only concerned that a pay a preliminary fee prior to service and that I fill out paperwork. A decision whether Brock met their requirements for treatment would be made in two weeks or more. Despite my telling the vet’s staff Brock was an extremely loyal, dedicated, and talented service dog (and my closest companion), not to mention I walk with crutches and have mobility issues due to cerebral palsy and live alone, the staff could not see scheduling an emergency appointment, or even allow me the courtesy of speaking with the doctor. The second vet did not have time in their schedule, nor did they feel it was just to squeeze me in or bump a client. The second vet could see me, if memory serves me correct, in a week and a half. The third veterinarian was Dr. Gladstein. She called back after I left a stressful message. Dr. Gladstein told me, «Don’t panic. It’s not over yet. Try to relax, so Brock won’t be even more stressed. Try to toilet him. Get help if you need to. Use a belt or towel to help you. I don’t have time this afternoon, but I will see you at 10:30 or 11 p.m., if you are o.k. with that?» You bet I was! The fourth called back two weeks later, upon their return from vacation.
Dr. Gladstein returned four nights later; the Fourth of July at 10:30−11 p.m.for a follow up treatment of physical therapy, acupuncture, electrical stimulation, and laser therapy. Both appointments, the Doctor stayed several hours. I continued monthly and eventually, bimonthly visits with her when it became necessary. When the time was right we did stem cell and prolotherapy.
I found Dr. Gladstein to be dedicated, compassionate, but direct and blunt. Sometimes the unadulterated truths are hard to hear. I credit Dr. Gladstein with helping me give Brock an additional year and eight months of quality life. Only the last month things were becoming more difficult. Brock passed at home, naturally, six days shy of his sixteenth birthday.
With reading the two poor reviews, I called Dr. Gladstein, to question her because I was upset. This was not the Dr. Gladstein that I had come to know, and i was concerned others would read the reviews and not call a very fine vet who puts the animal’s needs before that of the owner’s or their feelings. This is what I learned:

1. The person who called on a holiday weekend did so at 2:00 a.m. in the morning, not with an immediate emergency, but rather asking if the Doctor would be available the coming Sunday. In this case, the response might be considered understandable.
2. The person who was uncomfortable with Dr. Gladstein’s phrasing and or «bedside manner»: Dr. Gladstein was direct and said that the treatment might not take. Dr. Gladstein did treat the dog despite her being ill prepared to enter a bed bug infested apartment. The apartment was very small, with no safe place for Dr. Gladstein to hang her coat. Dr. Gladstein admits to commenting that the apartment was the smallest she has seen, but in no way did she insult the client by calling it «crap» or show disrespect to the client or their beloved companion. There must have been a great misinterpretation of words here.
I am sorry to hear of these two individuals’ experiences. I am sorry they feel dis-​serviced. I can only pass on my thoughts and experiences with Dr. Gladstein, in the hope that others in extreme need do not overlook her expertise in the field, her dedication and compassion I experience with her handling of my 24 hour-​a-​day companion and life aid.
(continued below-​Reid K. 10÷7÷2014)

Today I noticed that my kitty is limping and after walking for couple of seconds, he lifts his right front paw and rests. Tomorrow is a holiday but I decided to search animal chiropractors in the city and see if they would have emergency hours by any chance tomorrow. I just called Dr. Gladstein’s office to inquire. She has a 877 number and it was transferred to her. She picked up the phone and did not respond to my greeting. So I asked if she has emergency hours tomorrow and to my horror she said «Are you F%$@*#ing kidding me?». Rest assure she used the full word! and hung up on me. I double and triple checked the number and I dialed the right number. I’m shocked, she must be incredibly disturbed. I am so glad this happened and I never took my precious little kitty to an unstable person like her.

I used Dr. Babette Gladstein about three years ago and it’s taken this long for me to be able to think about her without getting upset. I got in touch with her after hearing her name at a holistic pet store. My dog had back problems after an injury, and it seemed worth giving acupuncture a try. Dr. Gladstein, who has no office and does only house calls, started off by insulting my home («I didn’t know they had apartments this small — this is crap») then moved on to me («Use your common sense» and «You’re killing your dog») and was even a little rude to my dog (instead of calling her by her name, Dr. Gladstein would just point at her and refer to her as «this dog»).
Her Judge Judy-​style rudeness might have been tolerable if she’d delivered some value, but it didn’t work out that way. After the acupuncture session, Dr. Gladstein said, «Look, she’s walking better already.» (I didn’t see any difference, although to be fair, perhaps a barely perceptible change is all that one can expect after one treatment.)
But about an hour after Dr. Gladstein left, my dog became listless and despondent and began to twitch uncontrollably — I’d never seen her in such a state. My regular vet had me rush her to the animal hospital to see a neurologist. She ended up spending three days there, where she improved. It’s hard to say for sure whether Dr. Gladstein made my dog’s condition worse, but she definitely didn’t make her any better.
Maybe in other situations, this woman has helped animals. But I have to wonder how much of her «ability» falls into the emperor’s new clothes realm. She’s clearly media-​friendly and PR savvy.
When I mentioned her name separately to my vet and the neurologist, each sucked in his breath, tried to restrain a grimace, and then said nothing. That said a lot.