Northside Veterinary Clinic

10/19/11

Totally compassionate and competent vets

by stan 84 at Citysearch

I recently moved to NY from Seattle, and the Northside Veterinary Clinic was referred to me by nearly everyone in my building. When my beautiful, previously healthy, 6 year old dog became sick and wouldn't eat, I decided to go there for help. When you go to a new place, you know how you can always be a little suspicious that you might be getting ripped off and taken advantage of? Well, this place seemed like the total opposite of that. The waiting area is small, but it is clean and friendly. The doctor was really nice. He took his time, explained everything to me, and gave me options. When he saw me hesitate, he told me what everything would cost so there would be no surprises, and then went on to tell me that if I couldn't afford everything, which tests and procedures were most important to make my dog better. I am still looking for a job, so I need to be careful with what I spend, so I opted to go with just treating without doing any tests. This was no problem. "I will go with my clinical judgment" were the words used. "He doesn't seem that sick". Wow, right?

After getting water under the skin and a couple of shots, I was told to get him off his dogfood and cook for him. Well, no other vet ever told me that, and in fact I always thought table food was bad for dogs. The Dr told me that sometimes dogfoods are old or spoiled and maybe that's why he didn't want to eat it and felt sick!

Needless to say I went home and that night my boy loved his boiled chicken!

Thank you to my neighbors for telling me about this place!

08/30/11

Disorganized, chaotic,cold and very expensive

by LeggyK at Citysearch

I have been to this office on 2 other occassions, this being my 3rd. I have always requested the man Dr because I have heard stories in the local parks about the older short woman Dr and her not so nice bedside manner. The man Dr (Dr Lieman) always seemed to be caring and concerned with my baby and that was what mattered most to me. Today was awful!! I came in to ask a question and possibly bring my pet in but the place was chaotic? The receptionist's are always friendly when I call or come in but are always very busy. Today was no different. I patiently took a seat to wait my turn and was totally turned off by the way they treat the staff members. The owner/manager was yelling at the receptionist right in front of us? really nasty like? We thought she was going to cry. Last time I was there it seemed chaotic and busy but always warm and friendly. The lady sitting next to me was appalled as well and told me its been like this for a few months. PLACES CHANGE AND THIS IS ONE OF THOSE PLACES. If your so understaffed why would you treat the really sweet employees like that? Well I overlooked the high prices the know it all rude female technician and the overcrowding but I will not be back to this facilty after today and I will certainly let all our friends at the doggie parks know they were right. The place is all about getting everything and everyone in the door and NOT about care and compassion. If you want info on dog/cat food the info is free on line you do not have to be schooled by an unlicensed animal technician and witness verbal employee abuse. Imagine having to pay for that! Needless to say, I went elsewhere for help.

The 1 star is for that poor receptionist. Do not be fooled by reading the reviews on this place, it's clear they write their own .

04/06/11

Special Place to Bring a Pet

by Broadie707 at Citysearch

Dr. Leiman is just an amazing vet. He has a wealth of information at his fingertips and always delivers professional friendly care. His support staff are very friendly and compassionate. Dr Eisner is also an incredible vet, but Dr. Leiman saved my cat's life via surgery and post-care and so I have a bias.

It's almost like going over to a friends house and having your animal checked up while you are there.

I have known Dr Leiman since he was only making housecalls and thought the service was terrific. I can honestly say the care has gotten even better at the clinic.

I can't say enough positive statements about this place.

03/30/11

What a great place!!!

by polduk at Citysearch

I have been going to Northside for a number of years, I chose them since they have been around for many, many years. I started going there with my cat and an older dog.

Dr. Eisner has been amazing with my old dog keeping him comfortable with holistic medications, he went from shaking and barely being able to walk to dancing around like a puppy.

Now I bring in my new puppy also who had an umbilical hernia and they took care of him as well. The staff at Northside cares! They cover all the needs of my 3 pets. It doesn't get any better.

03/28/11

Avoid Williamsburg, go to Greenpoint

by TaylorX at Citysearch

I will not get into the specifics of what another veterinarian did to correct the neglect and oversight of what Dr. Eisner provided...but I will review my experience.

The girl at the front desk was a gem. She seemed to delegate the rants of 'manager', the doctor, and two of the assistants while juggling welcomes and check outs of the patients. (She gets the one star from the review)

The 'manager' (who seemed more a glorified receptionist with inventory responsibilities) was infuriating. She was rather rude on the phone, (sounded impatient). At the office she verbally stepped into conversations she was not a part of, and usually spoke over staff who was beginning to explain the information I and others asked.

Dr. Eisner seemed to let frustrations from past patients carry over into my appointment. I did not bring my cat in to also offer talk therapy to this woman. I do not care to hear of personal conflict with other patients. Additionally, she seemed to give less care and hesitate to interact with lower income patients/owners. I was open minded to holistic medicine, as I seek it for myself and I use to see a holistic veterinarian for my dog while living in Delaware, but she seemed to treat to mask the symptoms rather than actually address the problem. No blood work suggested...which was alarming to me to put an animal on meds without a baseline to judge from.

The assistants were kind, but impersonal. I think it's understandable, considering their superiors seem rather taxing. With this being said, staff who can keep up a positive and welcoming energy throughout the day despite the affects of working along side those who are there. The one knew a ton about parasites and nutrition...I appreciated the information.

This place is a circus...and not the fun kind where you are entertained...