She’s exhausted, the poor thing. She appears to have pulled one too many all-nighters.

In recent days, however, I’m very happy to report that a michievous friskiness has informed Desiree’s demeanor. She actually trots down the street with her head and ears held high, and the smile on her face is so contagious that it very often causes passersby to smile back.

Still, it’s going to take some time for this dog to fully bounce back from the physical neglect she suffered with her previous caretaker.

Desiree is seriously skinny and desperately needs to put on weight, yet she maintains the high standards of a food critic when it comes to her diet. She won’t eat just anything that’s put in her bowl; it must meet with her approval or she has no problem leaving it there untouched.

One variety of food Desiree actually deigns to inhale is Wellness Duck and Sweet Potato, so she now gets a can of this stuff twice daily, combined with dry food.

Daily doses of coconut oil and Omega 3s are helping to condition Desiree’s desert-dry coat, which, sadly, is bald in large patches due to demodectic mange. Even more concerning, Desiree had been walking with a limp and favoring her right forepaw, which would pronate dramatically each time it made contact with the ground.

So we paid a visit to Dr. Babette Gladstein, VMD, whose practice gives new meaning to the term alternative therapies. Assisted by her “nurse,” a Mexican Hairless (a.k.a. Xolo) named Chiquita, the vet practiced not one but several different alternative therapies to help Desiree feel better.

Among the healing techniques used was acupuncture – note the needle poking out of the top of Desiree’s head, inserted at the “calming point” – plus something I’d never heard of before: Aquapuncture, in which a liquid solution of Vitamin B-12 is injected subcutaneously at several different acupuncture points along Desiree’s body, to give her a much-needed boost of energy.

As mange is an unfortunate result of an immune-system breakdown, Dr. Gladstein also prescribed a supplement called Transfer Factor Canine Complete. Its potent combination of colostrum, eggs, amino acids, probiotics, and essential fatty acids are just what Desiree needs to grow in the glorious haircoat that is her breed’s birthright.

Then it was time for the doc and I to don protective eyewear for the K-Laser part of the program, in which Desiree is flashed with Class 4 laserbeams at very close range, to promote healing of her inflamed elbow joint and mangey skin.

Finally, to help Desiree achieve optimum urinary continence – the poor thing has had some difficulty holding it in longer than 4 hours, which has necessitated frequent outings (and cost me a lot of sleep) – Dr. Gladstein also demonstrated how I can help Desiree do her, ahem, kegel exercises.

Did I mention that this vet gives new meaning to the term alternative therapies?

K9 kegels happen when a human gently inserts the tip of one rubber-gloved index finger into a dog’s anus, approaching from the top of the opening and pointing down and in. As my dog’s sphincter muscle responds to the presence of the fingertip, it instinctively contracts – and those contractions give the muscle a workout that tones it right up.

From ambulance sirens to summer thunderstorms, a pet’s life can be stressful. But if anything is certain, owners will stop at nothing to make their furry friends’ life drama-free, and these days, more and more pet parents are trying holistic approaches. There’s doga (that’d be yoga with your dog), acupuncture and now, the newest Zen-like pet product to hit NYC, herbal tea.
With flavor offerings such as Quiet Tea and Easy Peesy, The Honest Kitchen’s new line of loose-leaf teas for dogs and cats ($11 to $12 each at various independent dog stores in the city or at thehonestkitchen.com) prove that “tea for two” isn’t just for humans anymore.

Quiet Tea, which is made from human-grade oat straw, chamomile, passion flower and other herbs, is designed to combat separation anxiety and anxiousness when traveling. While Easy Peesy contains human-grade horsetail and marshmallow root among other things, which aims to help support a healthy, functioning bladder.

The teas are meant to be prepared similarly to loose-leaf human teas, says Laurette Lamontagne, The Honest Kitchen’s resident herbalist: “Owners measure the recommended quantity of herbs, steep in hot water for five to 10 minutes and strain if desired.”

Read Full Story here.

High-Power Therapy Laser Provides Safe, Non-Invasive Solution For Pain Management, Wound Healing And Rehabilitation

New York, NY – July 5, 2011 –Babette Gladstein, VMD, is proud to become Manhattan’s first veterinarian to offer K-Laser’s, Class IV, dual wavelength device, a new FDA-cleared device – the latest implementation of a tool that has been changing animal care. Dr. Gladstein is well-known for holistic and traditional therapies treating chronic pain, acute injuries and many other veterinary conditions, and is now using a Class IV therapy laser. It is a high-energy laser and penetrates deeply into the body to diminish pain and stimulate healing.

K-Laser is a high-power, dual-wavelength therapy laser that can provide immediate relief from chronic pain. It penetrates approximately 4cm and is 16 times more powerful than any Class 3B Laser. This laser has shown excellent results on surgical incisions and wounds. The higher power of Class IV Lasers delivers a therapeutic dosage of laser energy and relieves pain on the spot. Check www.animalacupuncture.net for more information.

“I am committed to providing the very best in veterinary care to my patients,” says Babette Gladstein, VMD. “The K-Laser will provide a pain-free, drug-free, surgery-free treatment for many ailments in our pets, from hastening healing to alleviating chronic pain. Animals enjoy the treatment and no sedation is necessary.“

It is estimated that over 20% of pets suffer with pain due to arthritis caused by hip dysplasia, knee and back pain, spondylosis, traumatic injury, etc. Non-steroid anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS), like Metcam, Rimadyl and Deramax have provided significant relief, but long-term use of these drugs can have some undesirable side effects. In addition, some animals are NSAID-intolerant. Cats are particularly sensitive to medications. K-Laser provides a safe solution for them.

K-Laser was FDA approved for humans in 2005 and used on animals for over 5 years. An estimated 25,000 dogs, cats and horses have benefited from the therapy. Treatments last 3-6 minutes per site and are comfortable for the patient. Typically six treatments are recommended.

Dr. Gladstein’s regenerative medical practice offers acupuncture, Prolotherapy, ultrasound, chiropractic care, electric stimulation, massage and other drug less treatments to keep pets feeling happy and healthy, naturally. Dr. Gladstein is available for house calls in the tri-state area.
Dr. Gladstein will also supervise the use of another Class IV laser at the New York Humane Society where she performs pro-bono rehabilitation and regenerative medicine therapies.

About Babette Gladstein, VMD
Babette Gladstein, VMD is licensed in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida and California and is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine. She is certified in veterinary acupuncture with the American Academy of Veterinary Medical Acupuncture through Colorado State University.

Contact:
Melody Wolff
For BGlad Veterinary
melodybwolff@gmail.com
551-404-3811

My cat Pasha has been such a great companion throughout the years. When I got Pasha some 16 years ago, it was love at first site. Although cats are in general much more independent than dogs, Pasha loves affection. He loves giving it and even more so, he loves being kissed and getting belly rubs. When we aren’t cuddling, Pasha enjoys people watching out the window and playing with his toys. A few months ago I started noticing changes in Pasha’s behavior. He seemed to be having some difficulty getting around. He was not jumping; which prevented him from getting up to and down from the window ledge that he enjoyed watching the world around him from. I also noticed that it was taking Pasha longer to stand up and lay down; as if each move required a tremendous amount of effort and was causing a great deal of pain. Were these changes Pasha just getting older? Was he destined to living out the rest of his life as an inactive cat? Was there anything I could do!?

I took Pasha to the veterinarian who examined him and found that Pasha had arthritis and back problems. Which is common in all dogs and cats. The only solution my Veterinarian could offer for this problem was doping Pasha up on pain medicine or doing back surgery. Surgery for my 16 year old, little Pasha!? I couldn’t bear the thought. Aside from the expensive price tag, surgery meant going under the knife, possible infection and a long and very painful recovery. Also there were no guarantees that a surgery would correct the problem. There had to be another option out there…and I was going to find it!

I remembered my friend telling me about a holistic Veterinarian in New York City that was using alternative therapies to care for animals. Pasha’s condition was worsening each day, so I figured I had nothing to loose and contacted Babette Gladstein, VMD.

I spoke with Dr. Gladstein about a number of alternative treatments that we could utilize to help get Pasha back to his feet and comfortable again. Dr. Gladstein told me about regenerative medicine and how such treatments could regenerate damaged tissues and organs in the body by stimulating previously irreparable organs to heal themselves.

The first of Pasha’s treatments would be Prolotherapy. Prolotherapy (proliferative therapy), also known as ligament reconstructive therapy, is a recognized orthopedic procedure that non-surgically stimulates the body’s natural healing processes to strengthen tendons and ligaments around joints weakened by trauma, arthritis or the aging process. Dr. Gladstein administered these treatment injections, in Pasha’s hips and back and knees. The stimulatory solutions were injected into ligaments, tendons and joints to cause a natural repair of damaged and lax tissues. This help to stabilize my cats back very well.

The more I learned about Prolotherapy, the more I believed in it. The proof was in the pudding! Pasha appeared to be getting stronger with every treatment he received from Dr. Gladstein.

It is important for ligaments and tendons of animals and humans to be strong as they ensure bones and joints are appropriately held together to provide the body proper ambulation. Pasha’s joints had weakened because they had been stretched, torn, or fragmented and had become hypermobile and painful. Pasha has shown much progress after two sessions of Prolotherapy on his back and hips.

What’s great about Prolotherapy is that it directly addresses the cause of instability and repairs the weakened sites, resulting in permanent stabilization of the joint. When precisely injected into the site of pain or injury, Prolotherapy creates a mild, controlled inflammation which fuels the body to create new tendon or ligament fibers, resulting in a strengthening of the weakened structure. When the joint becomes strong the pain is relieved.

Prolotherapy has been used for years in Veterinary medicine and all those practitioners published in the Journal of Prolotherapy have reported 80-90% success rates.

Regenerative medicine usually but not exclusively implies the use of stem cells; which was Pasha’s second type of treatment with Dr. Gladstein. Dr. Gladstein has injected Pasha with cells called ACell -ECM(extra cellular matrix), which are biologically active mediators of stem cells that cause tissue healing.

In combination with Prolotherapy, which has thickened the ligaments around Pasha’s hip and back, stem cell injections are acting to regenerate Pasha’s hip joint. Pasha has shown extensive progress. He is moving around with greater ease and is able to get up to and down from the window ledge.

I’m so glad I went the regenerative medicine route for Pasha. Surgery would have been a big mistake, as it often fails to stabilize the joint and relieve pain permanently and is a set up for residual arthritis.

Now, more so than ever, regenerative medicine is finding its place in mainstream medicine. Regenerative treatments cost a fraction of traditional surgery and spare our furry friends from exaggerated pain and discomfort and long recovery periods.

With all the alternatives now available in veterinary medicine and a large body of evidence that Prolotherapy works the question shouldn’t be “why Prolotherapy” but “why not Prolotherapy—why not regenerative medicine.” Regenerative medicine is the medicine of the future.

Babette Gladstein, VMD is a licensed veterinarian in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida and California. Specializing in animal physical therapy. Dr. Gladstein’s practices in both traditional and non-traditional approaches to the care and maintenance of dogs in all types and sizes.

Dr. Gladstein’s skilled therapeutic treatment options include acupuncture, ultrasound, chiropractic and massage therapy and prolotherapy.

Dr. Babette Gladstein is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine. She did post-doctoral work in veterinary acupuncture at the American Academy of Veterinary Medical Acupuncture at Colorado State University, as well as pre-veterinary studies at Hunter College in New York City.

Babette Gladstein, VMD

www.animalacupuncture.net

877-279-2591

Read Full Article

Postponed due to snow, stay tuned for more information.

UPDATE: Tune in tonight, January 14th, 2011 for the Babette segment.

Sugar can be used on an open wound to help it heal. Aloe vera is great for wounds and sores and burns as well. Molasses are great to coat pills and get your animal to take medication. Outside your pantry, you’ll also find several terrific yet natural remedies. A proper acidophilus, such as Vetri-Science’s Fast-Fix GI, is a good way to treat nausea, vomit and diarrhea. Omega-3 fatty acid supplements can quickly help with allergies. Lysine can be used, particularly in cats, to heal upper respiratory viral infections. Pepsid AC can be used to stop nausea in a sick cat or dog. Child’s Benadryl should be kept on hand for a bug or bee sting reaction.

Products like Zinotic help to quiet mild ear infections and fungus and eliminate the need to use fungicides in the ear. Propolis (aka bee pollen) is a natural mild antibiotic.
Acupuncture works very well for pain associated with arthritis. Prolotherapy, a non-surgical orthopedic procedure, can also help to stimulate the body’s natural healing processes and help your pet avoid a hip or knee surgery.

Q. Is it true pets can have a positive effect on the cholesterol of their owners?
A. Yes! Pets can positively affect their owner’s cholesterol and overall health. Several studies show that heart attack patients who have pets live longer than those without pets. Researchers also say male pet owners also tend to have less sign of heart disease, lower triglyceride and lower cholesterol levels than non-owners.

If you don’t have a dog, you may want to pet your neighbor’s. A past study by the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions found that a 12-minute visit with a dog helped to lower blood pressure, reduce the release of harmful hormones and decrease anxiety among patients hospitalized for heart failure. Benefits of those patients exceeded those whom received a visit from a human volunteer or whom were left alone. Other studies show that having a dog boosts the survival rates in patients who have suffered cardiac arrest. Walking a dog, playing with a pet, grooming or even petting can increase physical activity, which helps to strengthen the heart, improve blood circulation and slow the loss of bone tissue. Researchers also suspect low cholesterol levels and low serotonin levels may be linked. Serotonin is often referred to as the “feel good” chemical found in the brain. People with low levels of serotonin are those who have problems with depression and anxiety. Abnormally low cholesterol levels have been linked with depression. It seems a pet, like a dog, can stick a paw in the cycle.

Q. I’ve heard about massages for pets. Do they really help?
A. A pet massage is similar to a massage for a person. The body’s tissue is manipulated to reduce tension, promote circulation and restore range of motion.

During a pet massage session, your pet will lie on a soft yet sturdy surface, like a rug on a floor. The veterinarian or a certified practitioner will then use his or her hands to rub and stroke your pet from head to tail. After an initial rubdown, the practitioner will use his or her fingers to “walk” your dog’s spine. A session takes about an hour, depending on the size of your pet.

A good massage can help because it raises the serotonin level in the body. In the end, aches and pains are lessened and you’re left with a healthier, happier and more relaxed pet.
_
Babette Gladstein is a VMD and owner of B Glad Veterinary.

Source: ourtownny.com