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Author Archives: skeptvet
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
Should we be Vaccinating Dogs at Acupuncture Points?
A couple of recent articles by acupuncturists have suggested that giving vaccines at acupuncture points may be more effective than giving them in other locations. This is clearly an attempt to demonstrate the serious, scientific legitimacy of acupuncture. However, there … Continue reading
Posted in Acupuncture
6 Comments
Herbalists Petition for Specialty Recognition is Rejected
I recently updated my coverage of attempts by the American College of Veterinary Botanical Medicine (ACVBM) to attain specialty recognition, and explained why I am opposed to this effort. The deliberations and decisions of the American Board of Veterinary Specialties … Continue reading
Posted in Herbs and Supplements
5 Comments
A Detailed, Evidence-based response to Petco’s Ban on “Artificial” Food Ingredients
Here is an article from Veterinary Practice News responding to the ridiculous marketing ploy by Petco declaring a ban on “artificial” food ingredients. Since the late 1980s, individuals and organizations have been trying to warn the public about a deadly … Continue reading
Posted in Nutrition
20 Comments
Herbalists try again for medical specialty status.
In 2017 and 2018, I covered extensivelythe efforts of the American College of Veterinary Botanical Medicine (ACVBM) to achieve recognition as a medical specialty by the American Board of Veterinary Specialties (ABVS). I opposed recognition for several reasons: Prescribing of herbal … Continue reading
Posted in Herbs and Supplements
4 Comments
Don’t Give Raw Milk to Your Pets!
A reader recently sent me a link to this little advertisement. This is an illustration of a popular bit of alternative nonsense, the idea that raw milk has magical health-giving properties. The idea owes a lot to the Appeal to Nature … Continue reading
Posted in Nutrition
9 Comments
SkeptVet Visits The Pet Doctor Podcast- Are we seeing more cancer in pets?
In October, I wrote a column for Veterinary Practice News (VPN) on the question of whether or not cancer is more common in dogs and cats now than it used to be. This is a core argument in the Truth … Continue reading
Crowdfunding Quackery
One of the most heartbreaking things we all see on social media are appeals for financial help to fund medical treatment. Especially here in the U.S., where healthcare is less readily available to low-income people than in most developed countries, … Continue reading
Posted in General
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Evidence Update: Grain-free and other “BEG” Diets Associated with Heart Disease in Dogs
I have been following with great interest the emerging evidence about grain-free and exotic protein diets as a possible risk factor for heart disease in dogs. I first raised the subject in response to several cases of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) I … Continue reading
Posted in Nutrition
47 Comments
New Report on Complication Rates for Neutering Surgery in Dogs and Cats
I have written extensively about the subject of neutering (spaying and castrating male and female dogs and cats). The bulk of the discussion and debate about this procedure centers on the health effects. It is generally recognized to be a … Continue reading
Posted in Science-Based Veterinary Medicine
19 Comments
