Search Results for: integrative

The Rise (and Fall?) of Alternative Medicine Terminology

As I’ve discussed before, the terminology associated with alternative medicine is complex and inconsistent, so it makes discussing and debating the subject that much more challenging. Terms like “alternative,” “holistic,” “integrative,” “natural,” etc. are often used interchangeably, but they tend … Continue reading

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What Do Holistic Vets Say About Science and Evidence-based Medicine?

I’ve written several times about how proponents of alternative therapies appear to view science and evidence-based medicine. (1, 2, 3)  I think it is critical in evaluating these practices, as pet owners or  veterinarians, to understand the philosophy and approach … Continue reading

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How to Pick a Vet (or How Not To)

In veterinary medicine, we have greater incentives to make our clients happy than most physicians have to satisfy their patients. Pet owners choose their vets, often on the basis of location or personal recommendation, and they can choose to find … Continue reading

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The Dangerous Allure of Alternative Therapies for Pets with Cancer

Most pet owners understand that science-based medicine is the best hope for maintaining and restoring health in their animal companions. The tremendous successes of preventative and therapeutic healthcare in the last couple of centuries is difficult to deny (though proponents … Continue reading

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A Visit to Hogwarts: The BAVH Introductory Course in Homeopathy

One of the things I like best about homeopathy is that when I want to illustrate how fanciful and ridiculous the theories and beliefs of homeopaths are, there is no need to exaggerate or embellish their claims in any way. … Continue reading

Posted in Homeopathy | 8 Comments

The State of Science-Based and Alternative Veterinary Medicine Today

Prompted by Dr. Hall’s recent assessment of the state of science-based medicine in Australia, I thought it was time to offer a “state of the profession” update on how science-based and evidence-based medicine in the veterinary field are doing in … Continue reading

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Is Enough Ever Enough? Wasting Resources on Clinical Trials for Magic and Pseudoscience

A recent editorial from Trends in Molecular Medicine does an excellent job explaining why clinical trials testing the effects of highly implausible therapies, like homeopathy and energy medicine, are not an example of evidence-based medicine but of science tricked into … Continue reading

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Dr. Barbara Royal Reminds us that the AHVMF Opposes Science-Based Medicine

I write regularly about the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (AHVMA) and its fundraising arm the American Holistic Veterinary Medicine Foundation (AHVMF). These organizations are very much the tip of the spear for pseudoscience in veterinary medicine. Unfortunately, despite peddling … Continue reading

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American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (AHVMA) & its Foundation (AHVMF)

I recently received a registration packet for the 2014 Annual Conference of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association. This seemed a good reminder to pull together some of the information and observations concerning organized alternative veterinary medicine I have posted … Continue reading

Posted in Topic-Based Summaries | 13 Comments

The 2012 AHVMA Annual Conference: An illustration of Conflicts between Science-Based Medicine and Holistic Veterinary Medicine

In response to my criticism of individuals offering or promoting alternative medicine for pets, it has been pointed out that the community of such vets is diverse, and that one cannot fairly assume that all share the beliefs or practices … Continue reading

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