Clinton Veterinary Center

I have been taking my cat to Dr. Fisch since I first adopted him nine years ago. I have also tried other vets on the upper westside, because of recommendations from friends. But I keep going back to Dr. Fisch. While the other vets were o.k., they seemed to really want to sell products and procedures that were unnecessary and, in so doing, tried so hard to befriend me, rather than really examine my cat. In contrast, Dr. Fisch was very frank about what my beloved cat needed, was very gentle and focussed with him, prescribed the medications that worked, and didn't push me to do anything unnecessary. I want to add that he did the blood and other tests himself, in front of me, and didn't take him away to some vet tech in a separate room. I appreciated his honesty and his nice manners -- I also feel that he didn't overcharge at all, whereas the others charged a great deal, made me feel that my cat needed very extensive (and expensive) blood tests and procedures immediately (eg. dental cleaning, wherein they make a lot of dough, but there is a risk with anesthesia that they downplay -- if the teeth are not that bad, don't risk it). They didn't care that being too invasive was wrong: Dr. Fisch, on the other hand, was absolutely right. And my cat has been in perfect heath over all these years -- he's turning 10 this year -- and much of it thanks to him. more

Dr. Fisch is pretty fantastic. I trust his recommendations and feel he is cautious without overselling procedures or products. He has always been responsive when we've needed a referral to an emergency vet on a Sunday or a behaviorist. We live in Brooklyn now and still come into the city to see Dr. Fisch. more

After neutering my dog ($350), he never told us about e-collar or advised us on possibility of diarrhea/vomiting due to the surgery. Nor, give us any pain medicine after the surgery. When returned from the surgery, my dog seemed fine. But started vomiting and having REALLY bad diarrhea. Worried as sick, I went back to the vet after three days, and he prescribed me medicine (for upset stomach) then, and charged me another $120. If you want a vet that does not have any kind of sincerity of love of animals period, and wants to make money by having your dog suffer for days, this is the perfect vet for you. Horrible service. Horrible people, more

I've had Dr. Fisch for as long as I've had my dog--which is over 10 years. When I first adopted her a dog bit her and I was so upset, I called Dr. Fisch after hours and he got right back to me, as he did on another occasion. I've found him to be professional and regardless of his reputation for being "gruff", I think he's fine. He calls me "Miss _____" which I appreciate is that he treats my dog very well and she never seems to mind going there. What's important to me is how he talks to her and treats her--not that he doesn't make unnecessary small talk with me. I also like his staff. Mildred is great. I even went to get a second opinion about a problem my dog was having and ended up going back to Dr. Fisch. I think he has a dry sense of humor which many people just don't appreciate, I believe. more

I travel bicoastally and internationally all the time. I have seen vets in CA, NY, Mexico, AZ, and OR, for all different kinds of animals. My dogs have seen 4 vets in the past 3 months for travel purposes alone and all of them were helpful and reasonable except for the Clinton vet. I am going to try to be fair but I am still pissed off at how unhelpful this guy was. Communicating with him was extremely difficult. He does like animals but the problem seems to be with people. He said he had gotten burned before so he is extremely mistrustful. If you are the kind of pet owner who thinks the vet is God and are happy not to challenge any of his ideas, he might be perfect for you. He is the kind of vet that treats first and asks questions later (although I'm not sure he really wants to hear your answers at all). Maybe because he doesn't trust other vets' documentation or the owner's records. For the privilege of receiving health certificates for three dogs and a painful injection of Droncit for each, I paid $400. Animal General on the upper west side gives them for free if your dog is a patient, and nicely too! Next time I will walk the 30+ blocks to see them. Final note: His vet tech was worth the visit. Extremely kind and capable guy. more

Dr. Fisch is not there to put on a show for you. He is there to do a job, period. That job is to take excellent care of your pet. I have no need for idle chit-chat. I want someone who is extremely knowledgeable, direct, and cares deeply about the pets he cares for. After we adopted my sweet kitty Mimi, we noticed excessive tearing from her eye. Dr. Fisch examined her, figured out that the eye problem was related to her teeth (yes, her teeth), pulled the dead tooth, and boom! Mimi was purr-fect! (Sorry, had to.) We keep coming back to stay on top of Mimi's dental health and I wouldn't trust anyone else for my baby. If you're no-nonsense like me, then Dr. Fisch is the right vet for your pet. Pros: Extremely proficient, No razzle-dazzle Cons: None more

While Dr. Fisch will never tell you this, part of the reason he's so gruff and brusk (and also why he's such a good vet) is that dogs respect that kind of thing. If he was all touchy-feely and "there-there" cuddly, dogs would just assume he's easy to dominate. He can't let dogs (or owners) dominate him, or he won't be able to do his job. Dr. Fisch is always calm, sober and meticulous.... and while that mien might put off some people, it's really what's best for the animals in his care. I trust this guy. Highly recommended! Pros: Fantastic vet! Cons: Comes off a bit brusk... for good reason more

I've been going to Dr. Fisch for over 10 years now and I swear by him. Yes, in the beginning he was a bit gruff, but don't be fooled by that, he's a real sweetheart and his love for his job and the animals is clearly obvious. We just had to put our beloved cat to sleep ....it was heartbreaking, but because of his compassion and his assistant, Millie, they made that day tolerable for us. When we get new kitties down the road, I will take them to Dr. Fisch. I cannot say enough good things about this man. Valerie Pros: Kind, compassionate, accomodating more

I ended up finding Dr. Fisch through a friend that lived in the neighborhood. Shr takes her cat there and said that he is great with her. When we got our english bulldog, he had all sorts of eye problems. Dr. Fisch has been very attentive and has gone out of his way to squeeze us in for appointments at the last minute, etc. He also did a great job referring us to a "doggy eye doctor." I would highly recommend Dr. Fisch to anyone who is looking for a vet that actually remembers your pet's name and their history. Otis loves Dr. Fisch and the lolly pop cookies he gets after his visits! more

Dr. Fisch may seem a bit brisk at first, but he genuinely cares about the animals with which he works. An excellent diagnostician, he will never tell you to opt for a procedure that you don't need (which is great in New York, most places will make you pay a lot of money for tests and surgeries that aren't necessary for the health of your pet.) I trust him with my animals completely, and of the many vets with whom I've worked, he is absolutely the most competent doctor I have ever seen. Don't let his blunt personality put you off, he is a good vet and an honest person. He certainly won't sugar coat things, but he's well informed and wants what's best for you and your furry friend. Pros: Thumbs up! Low cost and great service, the receptionist especailly is a wonderful person. Cons: Dr. Fisch can be a little blunt more

When I first got my dog I asked around the neighborhood for recommendations for a vet. Absolutely everyone loved Dr Fisch! They gave me a warning that he has quirky brisk human interpersonal skills but that all of their animals loved him and he was great at diagnoses. 10 years later I would never dream of going anywhere else- even now that I have moved out of the neighborhood I still travel back to his office. Dr Fisch helped us through a horrible life threatening surgery, has answer my calls in the middle of the night, given me endless amounts of information, honestly tells me flat out when I am doing something wrong and he keeps my pug in perfect health. The staff is nice and one of the rescue cats who lives there is nice to my dog (the other ones just saunter away). The prices are fair, they never try to up sell me and even dissuade me away from unnecessary expenses. Dr Fisch has gone above and beyond what I have paid him and my dog still loves to go to the vet. But if you need a fluffy sugar coated hand coddling Doctor, than Dr Fisch is not for you. Dr Fisch is dedicated to your animals best interest. Pros: My dogs health is his priority, goes above and beyond paid services Cons: Does not kiss up and sugar coat things more

This vet was rude and inattentive to my dog. When calling for a follow-up he didn't remember or care to review her file and bloodwork and mistook her for a male (or a completely different patient). Very unhelpful and indifferent to the minor she she needed. Hoping the first visit was a mischance of the service, I returned a few months later to even more discourteous, curt service. Even worse, the doctor mistakenly tried to correct me when i described the meds he had given me our last visit. Even after he checked her file, and realized he was incorrect, he seemed even ruder and less concerned for my pet's health. I would never recommend Dr. Fisch to anyone. Pros: no pros Cons: blase manner of pets health, rude service more