Monthly Archives: February 2013

Book Review: Bad Pharma by Dr. Ben Goldacre

Posted on February 20, 2013 by skeptvet

Introduction Most of the articles I write concern unconventional or alternative therapies. The primary reason for this is that the overwhelming majority of the information available to pet owners about such therapies comes from practitioners and true believers, often with … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews | 3 Comments

Benefits and Risks of Neutering, an Evidence Update: Study Investigates Effects of Neutering in Golden Retreivers

Posted on February 17, 2013 by skeptvet

Given that I recently presented a couple of evidence-updates on the subject the health effects of neutering, the timing was excellent for the release last week of a new research study looking at the same issue. Torres de la Riva … Continue reading →

Posted in Science-Based Veterinary Medicine | 12 Comments

The Myth of Antioxidants?

Posted on February 12, 2013 by skeptvet

I have written often about the popular notion that vitamins, dietary supplements, herbs, and other things which can be identified as “antioxidants” based on in vitro laboratory studies must automatically be good for our pets. This sort of simplistic reasoning … Continue reading →

Posted in Herbs and Supplements, Science-Based Veterinary Medicine | 10 Comments

Benefits and Risks of Neutering, an Evidence Update: Neutering and Mammary Cancer in Female Dogs

Posted on February 8, 2013 by skeptvet

This is another in my series of evidence updates on the risks and benefits of neutering in dogs and cats. I will be updating the evidence and conclusions of my original 2010 review based on a series of systematic reviews … Continue reading →

Posted in Science-Based Veterinary Medicine | 11 Comments

Benefits and Risks of Neutering, an Evidence Update: Neutering and Urinary Incontinence in Female Dogs

Posted on February 8, 2013 by skeptvet

A couple of years ago, I wrote a review of the risks and benefits of neutering. This handout, originally intended for clients, was also turned into a journal article for veterinarians: Evaluating the benefits and risks of neutering dogs and … Continue reading →

Posted in Science-Based Veterinary Medicine | 1 Comment

Measuring Arthritis Pain in Dogs: Are Owner Surveys as Good as Force Plate Analysis?

Posted on February 4, 2013 by skeptvet

I have written about a wide variety of conventional and alternative therapies for arthritis pain in dogs. A recurring issue in evaluating these therapies is how we know whether or not interventions designed to reduce pain in animals are effective. … Continue reading →

Posted in Science-Based Veterinary Medicine | 4 Comments