August 18, 2009

Holistic Veternarian, Dr. Babette Gladstein combines cutting edge alternative therapies with traditional veternary care to treat animals throughout New York City. (ZT Pet News Photo Courtesy of Babette Gladstein, DVM)

Ex-Stockbroker Revitalizes Vet Care Options: Pets treated by Dr. Babette Gladstein are seeing a new kind of veterinary medicine where patients experience more comprehensive treatment with quicker recovery times from less invasive techniques like the use of prolotherapy.

NEW YORK -- Trading in her fast-paced Manhattan life as a stockbroker for a more subdued career in attending to the needs of ailing furry clients, Babette Gladstein is revolutionizing the way ill and injured animals are treated.

By combining the healing power of unconventional techniques with her knowledge of traditional methods, she allows animals less invasive procedures with quicker recovery times.

Babette became a veterinarian -- a radical career change -- after she was left unfulfilled by Wall Street. She decided to devote her life to bettering the lives of animals by using an alternative treatment modality, after her experience as a former Melanoma cancer researcher.

Babette tells ZT Pet News a little about her holistic practice and the innovative prolotherapy procedure that is helping debilitated animals regain their strength and improve their quality of life.

When in your life did you know you were/are an animal person?

I realized at 7-years-old when I was away at Girl Scout camp, I really missed my pet poodle, Copper. I was very worried about him because he had a cold.

I insisted on going home as I wanted to be with him and nurture him back to health. He was more important to me than anything.

How did that realization change your life?

I made the decision to go home and take care of my pet and even at that young age I realized what makes me happy is caring for animals.

Obviously, my dog meant more to me than the camp, even though I am very athletic and enjoyed camp activities. My life has been greatly enriched by the many pets I have cared for over the years.

Being a seasoned veterinarian, what is your area of expertise?

Alternative medicine and physical therapy; inclusive of acupuncture and prolotherapy for animals.

What type of therapeutic options do you offer clients for their furry loved ones?

Geriatric care, rehabilitative medicine, acupuncture, ultrasound, laser, physical therapy, prolotherapy and alternative medicine.

Why should someone opt for alternative veterinary services along with or in lieu of traditional veterinary care?

It is best to try non-invasive treatments and medical common sense treatments first before medical intervention that has side effects. Unlike many prescriptions drugs, holistic therapies have few side effects, promote overall natural healing, and can help keep your pet pain-free.

While medical intervention is necessary for acute problems; many times alternative methods work better for chronic problems.

What kind of ailments can benefit from your therapies?

Inflammatory bowel (GI) disease, hip dysplasia, Arthritic and Rheumatic joints, ACL and knee problems, chronic bronchitis, urogenital problems, epilepsy, allergies and skin problems.

You frequently work with horses; do these include rescued, retired or injured race horses?

Usually injured race horses, and occasionally I help the pony horses that take the thoroughbreds to the post.

What benefits can a senior pet gain from your geriatric wellness program?

Senior dogs can benefit greatly from a unique wellness regime designed especially for them. Simple lifestyle changes, such as a proper diet, exercise, and physical therapy, can help an older dog feel and perform better in their daily lives and improve their quality of life.

While aging is inevitable, understanding how we can help our dogs age gracefully, can give a whole new meaning to teaching old dogs new tricks.

What is the most common ailment you treat which is preventable?

Inflammatory bowel syndrome and GI disease is preventable.

What ailments is Prolotherapy used to treat?

We use prolotherapy to treat: ligament injuries and/or ligament degeneration. Prolotherapy can help your pet heal in a simple and non-surgical way.

It is useful for pets suffering from: Arthritis Hip Dysplasia and hip laxity and pain (DJD); Anterior Cruciate injury (ACL); ligament injury; Neck pain; back pain; spinal stenosis Inter ventricular disc disease; Chronic tendinitis; Elbow dysplasia; Sprained ankles and wrists; Partially torn tendons-anywhere in the body;Ligaments and cartilage.

How does prolotherapy work?

I have been using prolotherapy -- proliferative therapy, regenerative therapy -- injections to treat many problems. Prolotherapy, also known as ligament re-constructive therapy, is a recognized orthopedic procedure that non-surgically stimulates the body's natural healing processes to strengthen joints weakened by trauma or arthritis.

It is important for ligaments and tendons to be strong because they ensure bones and joints are properly held together. Joints weakened when ligaments and tendons are stretched, torn, or fragmented become hyper-mobile and painful.

Traditional approaches with anti-inflammatory drugs and surgery often fail to stabilize the joint and often fail to relieve pain permanently.

Is it an adequate substitute for surgery?

In many cases the answer is yes. It is completely dependent on the patient's response to prolotherapy. Dr. Dehaan, has been practicing Prolotherapy for close to 20 years and purports a 90 percent success ratio when dealing with ACL, Knee injuries, in dogs.

Since prolotherapy is a relatively non-invasive way of dealing with many ligament and tendon problems it is well worth the try. Needless to say it is far less traumatic for your animal. In humans the techniques have been used successfully for many years.

How has the implementation of this procedure changed the healing process for animals?

Now clients have a viable non-surgical option. We are also capable of combining this technique with the use of stem cells. To further enhance the healing of the problem areas. The technique combined with science is giving our animal's with many debilitating lameness issues new hope.

Have you, or do you plan on collaborating with other veterinarians who work with prolotherapy?

We are currently accumulating names of Veterinarians around the country doing these procedures, and we will then be able to access the need and interest of other veterinarians to learn more about prolotherapy. As this network develops the intent is to run seminars for Veterinarians some time in the next two years.

What is one tip that all pet owners can do at home to maintain the health of their pets?

Calorie restriction. Obesity is a cause for multiple diseases and calorie restriction is the kindest thing a pet owner can do for their animal.

Dental hygiene. Good dental health is important throughout a dog’s life in order to protect the heart and kidneys.

Pay attention to their pet’s teeth, either by an oral zinc supplement in their water or brush their teeth and maintain dental hygiene. This will prevent the bacteria from migrating to vital organs. Good dental health is a key to longevity.

Do you have any pets?

Yes, I have Margarita and Jose. They are Toy Hairless Mexican Chihuahuas. Cute as buttons.

What pet have you always wanted to own, but never have?

I was fortunate enough recently to find Margarita and Jose, as I have always wanted a small hairless dog because of my allergies.

What would the animals in your life say about your presence in their lives?

Being a veterinarian, I am fortunate to not only have my own pets, but also have the opportunity to take care of the pets of my clients that I treat.

If they could talk, they would probably tell me what their owners, my clients, say and that is that they see a big difference in their dog’s lives; they feel better and can get on with the care-free life of a dog.

Pets and animals bring what to your life?

Being a veterinarian is my second career. In my prior life I was a stockbroker and in the hectic world of finance. Working with animals brings a tremendous amount of satisfaction and balance to my life.

What can people do to improve the lives of animals?

Open their homes, heart and lives to rescue an animal that needs a forever home.

In you opinion, what is the biggest issue animals face in our global society?

Animal over-population is a crisis. The most important thing you can do is spay and neuter your pets and support your local animal shelters that work hard to put an end to the tragic euthanasia and homelessness of healthy, adoptable animals with spay and neuter programs.

In New York City alone more than 50,000 unwanted and homeless pets a year enter shelters and nationwide between five and seven million.

For more information on Dr. Gladstein's Veterinary Practice and upcoming projects, visit her Web sites at AnimalAcupuncture.net and ProlotherapyForAnimals.com

Elisabeth Brock is an editorial intern with ZT Pet News and can be reached at ebrock@zootoo.com.