Serving the
Los Angeles
Community
Since 1969

10737 Venice Bl.
Los Angeles, CA 90034
 (310) 559-3770

Dr. Baum:

I just wanted to let you know how grateful we are to all of you at Center Sinai for taking care of our beloved Peaches for the past 14 1/2 years. You were the first place that we brought her to when we found her in front of our home three blocks from your clinic back in '96.

Dr. Carrillo and her assistant Eddie came over the other morning and put her to sleep in such a caring and professional manner. Even though I am still very distraught, I know that it was the best thing to do and it was done by the best individuals. Thank you for allowing them to come to our home, I wanted it to be Peaches' last image.

We also want to commend Dr. Williams who has always been such a comfort and resource. We still have another dog and we do not intend on going anywhere else! Keep up the good work!

Giancarlo Mercado
We are very grateful to Giancarlo for allowing us to also post this note and lovely photo on our eulogy page. Click the button to see it there among other stories that help us all survive the loss of our dear furry (and other) friends through the sharing.

 

Thanks Dr. Baum!!

Hello there...this is Brandi Stephens, the proud owner and lover of my newly adopted Honey Love. I came to see you yesterday and I cannot begin to thank you enough for your incredible help. I truly appreciate you for taking the time to answer my many questions. I will never forget how you made me feel. I left your office feeling completely reassured and all my worries were gone.

As for Honey Love, she has definitely shown many signs of improvement. It must be between that shot you gave her and not having that one on 24/7. She is much happier and has more spunk. She has a heck of a lot more energy...every time I took her outside, she pulled me with her little self and wanted to run around the block. For the first time since I brought her home on Friday, she actually played with some of her toys. She is more alert as well...when she hears the neighbors, her ears perk up...prior to today, she never budged, not even when the FedEx guy came. Also prior to tonight, I had yet to hear her bark...I'm glad she has not been a barker but since I had never heard her bark, I was concerned about that. She ate much better today...and twice! :) She had a good BM today as well...prior to this evening, the few times she pooped, it wasn't quite diarrhea but it was pretty soft...but today's poop seemed to be pretty normal...yay for good poop! LOL! :)

Again, thank you, thank you, thank you!! I absolutely adore you Dr. Baum. You are an amazing doctor and you have my complete loyalty. Honey Love and I are truly blessed to have you as a doctor.

Sent by Brandi Stephens

Dr.  Baum is AMAZING! MY SNAKE ATE TONIGHT for the first time in
six months!!!!!

And I was really getting super stressed and worried about him. About two days before I moved here, I went to a vet in Arizona about this same issue.  All that doctor was talking about was x-rays and blood work and up charges, up charges, up charges. At first I thought that doctor was right on and knew what he was talking about (which I’m sure on some level he did/does), but Dr. Baum LITERALLY saw my snake for five minutes and was able to diagnose him! The other doctor did not catch the fact that I’ve had some pink dots on his belly scales, showing he had an infection. After Dr. Baum looked in Iwe’s mouth and saw that everything was great, he simply looked down and said, “He hasn’t always had this pink line down his belly, has he?” I replied that I didn’t believe so and remember his belly being very white. Dr.  Baum said, “Yup!  He has little red spots going all down his belly. He just has a little infection, nothing major to worry about. And all he needs is some antibiotics.”

I knew in my heart of hearts that all he needed was antibiotics, and had this been caught in Arizona, Iwe would have dined a month ago! But all that is in the past and I’m SOOOOOOO HAPPY I’ve found CSAH and Dr. Baum (though I hope I don’t have to go to him too often.)  :-)  PLEASE let him know that he has saved me a LOT of worry and has eased my heart and mind, more than he’ll ever understand. THANK YOU ALL for such AWESOME work on my baby, and I/we thanks you, too! :-)

Davina F.
 

Hi!

In a world where we all too often do not have the time nor inclination to give accolades when they are due, I just wanted to take a minute to let you all know HOW MUCH I APPRECIATE YOU ALL at Center Sinai. The staff is always down to earth and phenomenal; professional and nice. Thank you for being excellent!!

Anna Metcalf
 

FROM TAMRA AND BUTTERCUP

Thank you, Dr. Baum, for seeing Buttercup today. Sorry she created such a hassle getting the shots. I really appreciate you giving me more explanation about the skin issues she has been experiencing. I didn't get much explanation like yours at the vet I was seeing. Most importantly, your staff is so friendly. Thank you, Veronica! This was a big reason why I decided to switch Vets. OK, and your fees are much more reasonable.

Thank you again!

Tamra & Buttercup
 

MEET TASHA BELLE

From an e-mail translated by the Mitchell Family,
Tasha's owners and personal assistants

Hi, Dr. Baum. Tasha Belle here. You saw me yesterday (Friday). I just wanted to thank you soooo much for taking such good care of me and my owners. My mom is the absolute worst when it comes to worrying. She worries so much about me some of her "concerns" and "questions" make me embarrassed. 

I do have to tell you that I didn't appreciate all those needlely things that you gave me, or the pills either. Was that really necessary? And what is this "cellulite" stuff you speak of? Is it going to affect my beautiful shape?

Seriously, though, Dr. Baum, we thank you for the compassion that you pour into your work. No matter what I come in to your office for, we all walk out knowing that you gave us 2000% of your best care. And we truly love you for that. The next time I come in, I'll bring you one of my favorite treats, okay?

Have a great weekend, and thanks again.

Tasha Belle

UPDATE

Hello Dr. Baum. Tasha Belle wanted us to thank you for making her feel
better. She doesn't scratch nearly as much as before. And she seems to
be much more calmer too.

We've brought Tasha Belle to your office for over 5 years and we must
say that you have taken wonderful, loving care of our baby. Every time
we come in we always know that you and your staff will take excellent
care of her, and you never disappoint us. A "thank you" is just not
enough to truly express how grateful we are for you, your staff and the
wonderful, wonderful care our Tasha gets.

Stay greatly blessed and thanks again,
The Mitchell Family

So grateful for the treatment that our Dalmatian, Dottie received from Dr. Plechner!! Dottie is 10 years old, and was really showing her age! After being treated by Dr. Plechner she is amazingly full of life again!! Thank you so much, Dr. Plechner!! Her allergies and pain (in her hind quarters) is gone! She's pivoting on her hind legs again and gallops like a pony!! Absolutely amazing!! Thank you for caring......We are so thankful to see her so happy again!

Al & Jennifer Herrera

Meet Brittany's furry cat family,
described by their humans as
"Dr. Baum's patients...Flounder and E.T. Pussycat,
 
and Roommate Gipper.


"We think Dr. Baum is the best vet ever!"
Terri, Cat Mom Brittany's Human Mom

Earl Grey

"We have such a special place in our hearts for Dr. Baum. He never gives up on finding a way to help the animals have a quality life, but will always give you the truth as to when the animal begins to suffer so that appropriate steps can be planned and taken."

From Margaret Cox & Al Schepps, who sent us a beautiful eulogy for their beloved cat, Earl Grey. To see what they wrote, click the button.

BOOTSIE MEEKS

"Thank You so much!! Even though it was not a happy situation, me and my family thank you from the bottom of our hearts. The Vet was excellent and the staff was good, too! I didn't get a chance to thank the vet. I feel like I made a good humane choice. I'm writing a story about Bootsie and getting a picture to you, too."

Photo and pet eulogy: 

Anne Pearson, with Bonzo

"I’ve been coming to Center-Sinai and Dr. Baum for some time. We’ve had both of our dogs here, and they’re really compassionate, and caring. Our dogs stay happy and healthy. They’ll always take calls, not like some in town, and our neighborhood. I also like them because they remember us and know what they have done for our dogs, and they give lots of personal attention."

LILLY

To quote Lilly's owner JIMMY PALMIERI:

"SHE ISN'T AFRAID OF DR. BAUM’S OFFICE."

STEPHANIE MILLER, professional pet sitter
PRECIOUS PETS
with one of her client’s dogs, a charming Yorkie

“I’ve been bringing pets to Dr. Baum for about 14 years now. He’s great, really pays attention to the pets, and gives them the most effective treatment when they need it …I really trust him with both my own and my clients’ pets.”

 
Bubbles (top) and Ernie

"What a great and reassuring answer. I really appreciate it!" Brittany Craigo

You can view the question and answer here:

Ina Hillebrandt

Blacky and Walnut

"My Baby and Me"

Hi, Dr. Plechner!

Here is a photo of the orchid I will be sending the paperwork in to name for you.  I can be formal and call it Masdevallia Albert Plechner or I can be a little more creative and call it something like Masdevallia Plechner’s Pride.  Do you have a preference?

Thanks for all you do!
Lynn O’Shaughnessy
 

"I've bred Dobermans for over 30 years; but I say 'smart' for 20. That was when I met Dr. Al Plechner; he was treating a friend's blue Doberman for an immune system deficiency.

While I did want to breed a quality show dog, I was more driven to improve the health of my line of Dobermans. I wanted to know more about developing a strong, solid, healthy dog, so I made my first appointment. Dr. Plechner was generous with his time in explaining the Endocrine Immune System blood panel he had developed, the reason for testing, and how dogs' and cats' health could be improved. I was excited to learn of the opportunity to make a difference!

I began a testing program on my breeding dogs, using his E.I. panel. Dr. Plechner was screening my dogs for the best test results to use for foundation breeding stock. Along with that, each dog was x-rayed for hip dysplasia and cervical vertebrae instability. Using a critical eye, a Radiologist in the office made sure dogs were clear of both conditions. Dogs that did not pass these first physical tests, were spayed or neutered and placed in pet homes. Prior to meeting Dr Plechner, each of my dogs had already been tested for von Willebrands to be sure they were not affected by the bleeding disorder..." More

From Roz Wheelock

UPDATE

Dr. Plechner saved my daughter's Yellow Labrador from having unnecessary leg surgery (at another hospital). Amber is 4 yrs old and was adopted from a family having to give her up. She had an obvious limp in a rear leg, often not using it. My daughter lives in the Riverside area, and a local vet x-rayed the leg, then told her ACL surgery was needed, but that probably the other leg would wind up needing it also. I have known Dr. Plechner, an incredible veterinarian and person, for many years, so I suggested we get his opinion...AND are we GLAD we did! He looked at the x-ray and said it was a break that hadn't been treated, but was healing. He provided medication, and pain meds to use 'as needed'. What awesome news for my daughter and her husband! Amber is a perfect lady, and they had fallen in love immediately so hated to see her suffer. Thank you, Dr. Plechner, for being so patient in your description of how Amber needed to be watched and cared for.

It is obvious you love animals, you handle them gently, which is so important when they are hurt or ill. You're #1 in our opinion. By the way, my daughter, Reanna, & husband, Joshua, will always make the trip into Culver City to Center Sinai from now on...you and Center Sinai are worth the drive! THANK YOU!!!

R. Wheelock, Riverside-San Bernardino
 

"I am not e-mailing you for an appointment. This e-mail is purely to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your heroism to take a new approach to save pets through your love of animals. I came across your Pets at Risk book in January of this year at a time where I was taking my cat Larry to vets to figure out why he was not eating and, losing weight. If I had not come to my stage of observing him instead of being devastated and, accepting the diagnosis (Lymph Cancer) of the last two vets he would have been put down already. I wouldn't give up on him when I noticed him stretching and, cleaning himself. I couldn't believe that a cat sick with cancer would be capable of these two healthy behaviors. I was well into acknowledging that holistic approaches can, and do help animals and people.

"By the grace of God your book arrived at my local bookstore right during that time. Your book had symptoms of my cat Larry all over it. I contacted both vets in New Jersey on your website. They both were at least an hour away but, with a car all things are possible. When the one vet couldn't take him right away it turned out the other could. Dr. Mark Newkirk in Margate, New Jersey diagnosed Larry within ten minutes of having inflammatory bowel syndrome.

"Six and a half months later Larry is reversing back to health. He had, as Dr. Newkirk put it pain all over. Everything from his lymph system, stomach, liver ...everything was messed up not excluding that he was blind in one eye from glaucoma that lead to biphthalmia and,blind from phthisis in his other eye.

"Dr. Newkirk put in 110% of his energy for Larry. There was a time when him and, I were'nt sure he would make it. He ended up being in the hospital for two separate two week visits because he was losing alot of weight to dehydration to intense diarrhea the Dr. couldn't control. After Dr. Newkirk's last resort the diarrhea got under control. Larry got all the way down to almost four pounds. We are talking about an eleven year old large framed marked tabby who once weighed thirteen pounds. He started gaining weight two months ago and, is around six pounds now. His next vet appointment is tommorrow. His last appointment was the sign of his first real progress. His steroids were reduced to one instead of two and, he gained 7 ounces.

"I'm sorry to make this story so long Dr. Plechner but, I wanted you to get the real picture. It is no small miracle that Larry is alive today. It took all of us to keep Larry alive today. Your book played the most important role in his recovery and, it seems that a thank you isn't enough. His first many years it seems the vets were'nt so good. I believe things are making up now. No more conventional food and, I keep him to the prescribed diet the doctor ordered.

"Again, thank you thank you so very much Dr. Plechner. For what it's worth we may never get to meet each other but, through your information that saved Larry you will always be remembered by me. And, will always be remembered for the primary loving man who saved my family. May loved ones always follow you. God Bless always."

From Mary E. Pollara & Larry

We want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for taking such good care of "Dutchie." Her ear hematoma is healing and her teeth are doing wonderfully. Her breath is a thousand times better!! You are a miracle worker. We are so lucky to have found you. Our Dutchie (13 1/2 years old) is doing great, all because of you. Thank you for all you do.

Love,
Henry and Jane Stoffers, and Dutchie, too!!!

Sent by Mary Steelsmith

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