Search Results for: cruciate

Evidence Update: Is Surgery Necessary for Dogs with Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture?

Back in 2011, I first wrote about the issue of concerning whether dogs with cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) ruptures did better with surgery or with non-surgical management. My conclusion at that time was: For most dogs under 15kg, conservative management … Continue reading

Posted in General, Science-Based Veterinary Medicine | 5 Comments

Evidence Update–Is Surgery Really Necessary for Dogs with Cruciate Ligament Ruptures?

A couple of years ago, I wrote about the question of whether or not surgery was better than medical management for dogs with cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) disease. Here was my conclusion at that time: As is almost always the … Continue reading

Posted in Science-Based Veterinary Medicine | 103 Comments

Is Surgery Really Necessary for Dogs with Ruptured Cruciate Ligaments

In a recent article concerning an herbal product used for treatment of a dog with a ruptured cranial cruciate ligament (the equivalent of the “ACL” in humans), I stated, “Surgery is the treatment of choice for a ruptured cruciate ligament. … Continue reading

Posted in Science-Based Veterinary Medicine | 226 Comments

What are General Practice Vets Good For?

From VPN+ “We must provide an outlet for the creative faculties…And it is this challenge which is recognized by every graduate who turns away from practice, disillusioned by his or her inability to find satisfaction in a situation where…the expectations … Continue reading

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Stem Cell Therapies in Veterinary Medicine: Where are We Now?

I’ve written about stem cell therapies numerous times over the years, though not for quite a while. My conclusions were always along the lines of “promising but unproven.” This is one of those perfectly plausible therapies that I expect will … Continue reading

Posted in Science-Based Veterinary Medicine | 5 Comments

New Evidence about When to Neuter Your Dog

I have followed the literature on the risks and benefits of neutering for many years, from writing my own literature review in 2010 to critically analyzing individual research studies on the subject here. The evidence is always growing and changing, and the attitudes of … Continue reading

Posted in Science-Based Veterinary Medicine | 38 Comments

What are Screening Tests, and Should You Use them?

What is Screening?Screening is the use of diagnostic tests in apparently healthy individuals with no clinical symptoms.1-2The purpose is to detect asymptomatic disease with the presumption that this allows earlier, more effective intervention and will reduce suffering and delay or … Continue reading

Posted in Science-Based Veterinary Medicine | 39 Comments

Low-level Laser Treatment does not Improve Healing after TPLO Surgery in Dogs

I have been covering the subject of low-level, or “cold” laser treatment for many years. While there is some plausibility to the idea that laser light might have beneficial effects on tissue, very little convincing evidence of actual benefits in … Continue reading

Posted in Science-Based Veterinary Medicine | 22 Comments

Selected Effects of Neutering in German Shepherd Dogs

As part of my ongoing surveillance of evidence concerning the benefits and risks of neutering, I have identified a new study on the subject. Hart, B. L., Hart, L. A., Thigpen, A. P. and Willits, N. H. (2016). Neutering of … Continue reading

Posted in Science-Based Veterinary Medicine | 7 Comments

WVC 2016: Overdiagnosis and Overtreatment

Here are the notes and slides from my presentation on Overdiagnosis. WHAT IS OVERDIAGNOSIS? A 5 year-old Labrador retriever presents for an acute cranial cruciate ligament rupture. Otherwise, the dog is healthy in every way with no clinical symptoms other … Continue reading

Posted in Presentations, Lectures, Publications & Interviews | 6 Comments