Search Results for: arthritis supplement

LEGS Glucosamine Study Shows Little Evidence of Real Benefit

I have written extensively about glucosamine because it is a ubiquitous arthritis therapy that nearly everyone seems to believe in and use, yet the evidence for it is poor. Only two published clinical studies are available for dogs, one showing … Continue reading

Posted in Herbs and Supplements | 15 Comments

Canine Health from LifeVantage–Protandim by Any Other Name & Still No Real Evidence

I was recently asked to comment on yet another “kitchen sink” mélange of herbs and supplements promoted w/ claims of broad benefits for dogs: Canine Health from LifeVantage. This proved easier than I had expected since the product is identical … Continue reading

Posted in Herbs and Supplements | 70 Comments

The Harm Complementary and Alternative Medicine Can Do

What’s the Harm I have written often about ways in which complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) can be harmful. This is not because I believe CAM is necessarily always unsafe, or that I think conventional medicine doesn’t have significant risks … Continue reading

Posted in Topic-Based Summaries | 13 Comments

Latest Review Finds Fish Oils Don’t Help Dementia

Fish oils are the current wonder supplement, good for all that ails you. I have actually taken them when the evidence appeared to support a benefit in prevention of cardiovascular disease, but the evidence is not looking as strong these … Continue reading

Posted in Herbs and Supplements | 7 Comments

More Misleading and Unethical Advertising for Alternative Veterinary Medicine

I’ve written before about the unethical and misleading negative advertising that so often characterizes the promotion of alternative veterinary medicine. But I ran across another example that set my teeth on edge and illustrated a particular problem I have with … Continue reading

Posted in General | 47 Comments

Nzymes.com: Same Snake Oil, Different Day

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 | 247 Comments

The Problem of Negative and Inaccurate Advertising of Alternative Veterinary Medicine

Advertising is a form of communication intended to influence the behavior of potential consumers with regard to specific products or services. As such, it is inherently competitive to some degree, attempting to encourage consumers to choose the advertiser’s product over … Continue reading

Posted in General | 7 Comments

DogtorRx from Pet Equinox–Style without substance and a model of snake oil marketing

Even when I’m not working, I’m still a veterinarian and a skeptic, and I tend to notice things related to those subjects wherever I am. In this case, I was stopped at a traffic light when something caught my eye, … Continue reading

Posted in Herbs and Supplements | 12 Comments

Veterinary Homotoxicology

What Is It? Proponents of homotoxicology (also sometimes known as “complex homeopathy”) present it as an advancement or improvement in homeopathy, one that is more scientific and compatible with conventional medicine than classical homeopathy. It can more accurately be seen … Continue reading

Posted in General, Homeopathy | 3 Comments

Milk Thistle in Dogs and Cats

Milk thistle is an herbal product that is widely recommended and used by veterinarians. Like glucosamine, it is a supplement which has leapt over the gap between alternative and conventional medicine. Unfortunately, like glucosamine, this acceptance has come about on … Continue reading

Posted in Herbs and Supplements | 29 Comments