Monthly Archives: March 2012

New Review Finds Little Evidence that Nutraceuticals Help Animals with Arthritis

Posted on March 27, 2012 by skeptvet

I have written extensively about various supplements and herbal treatments for arthritis. For the most part the evidence seems weak for all of these products, though there are a couple of suggestive studies that might lead to demonstrably effective treatments … Continue reading →

Posted in Herbs and Supplements, Science-Based Veterinary Medicine | 6 Comments

Crananidin: Cranberry Extract for Urinary Tract Infections in Dogs and Cats?

Posted on March 16, 2012 by skeptvet

The question of whether cranberries, in some form, have value in treating or preventing urinary tract infections (UTIs) is a pretty old one. Mark Crislip at Science-Based Medicine has written a nice summary of the topic, and he has found … Continue reading →

Posted in Herbs and Supplements | 8 Comments

Protandim: An Update from Science-Based Medicine

Posted on March 13, 2012 by skeptvet

Last year I wrote a review of a dubious herbal combination product called Protandim. At that time, my bottom line conclusion was: Bottom Line The underlying theory used to promote this product, that anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects are always safe … Continue reading →

Posted in Herbs and Supplements | 51 Comments

Raw, Cooked, and Dry Cat Diets–A New Study Examined

Posted on March 13, 2012 by skeptvet

The debate about raw diets for pets is an ongoing “hot button” topic in veterinary circles. There is also a less heated but still vigorous debate about cat nutrition in particular and what form and composition constitutes the optimal diet … Continue reading →

Posted in Nutrition | 18 Comments

Nzymes.com: Same Snake Oil, Different Day

Posted on March 12, 2012 by skeptvet

Knowing that I have an interest in investigating the evidence behind claims for veterinary healthcare products, clients and colleagues sometimes pass along materials concerning veterinary supplements, herbal remedies, and other similar products and ask my opinion. Since there are hundreds, … Continue reading →

Posted in Herbs and Supplements | 255 Comments

Buyer Beware: How to Evaluate Pet Healthcare Products

Posted on March 8, 2012 by skeptvet

This is a great time to be a pet owner. Advances in nutrition and veterinary medicine in the last few decades have led to tremendous improvement in the length and quality of our pets’ lives. We have more and better … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 5 Comments

Homemade Diets for Cats and Dogs with Kidney Disease–Most Recipes are Wrong

Posted on March 4, 2012 by skeptvet

A new study has been published adding to the evidence, which I have discussed before(see articles listed below), that homemade diets are frequently nutritionally inappropriate and less consistent or reliable than commercial diets. Larsen, JA. Parks, EM. Heinze, CR. Fascetti, … Continue reading →

Posted in Nutrition | 31 Comments