Author Archives: skeptvet

Veterinary Practice News Evidence-based Medicine Column

Posted on April 4, 2018 by skeptvet

Last summer, I was asked to take over the Evidence-based Medicine Column (previous the Alternative Medicine Column) in the trade magazine Veterinary Practice News from Dr. Narda Robinson. This was an excellent opportunity to  illustrate the principles and techniques of … Continue reading →

Posted in Presentations, Lectures, Publications & Interviews | 10 Comments

SkeptVet Gets Hate Mail 2018

Posted on March 19, 2018 by skeptvet

It will come as no surprise to readers that I receive a steady stream of hate mail in the form of email and comments on the blog. Occasionally, someone calls me up at work, sends me a snailmail letter, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor | 20 Comments

Presentation on Placebos in Animals

Posted on March 8, 2018 by skeptvet

Here are the notes and slides for a recent presentation on placebo effects in veterinary medicine. WHAT IS A PLACEBO? Despite the fact that most people have heard of the placebo effect and feel they have some understanding of what … Continue reading →

Posted in Presentations, Lectures, Publications & Interviews | 1 Comment

Presentation on Choosing Diagnostic Tests

Posted on March 8, 2018 by skeptvet

Here are the notes and slides for a recent presentation on strategies for effectively choosing diagnostic tests. GOALS OF DIAGNOSTIC TESTING Ultimately, the goal of any test we run should be obtaining information that allows us to more effectively treat … Continue reading →

Posted in Presentations, Lectures, Publications & Interviews | 8 Comments

Presentation on Surgical Neutering Techniques

Posted on March 8, 2018 by skeptvet

Here are the notes and slides for a presentation I recently gave comparing various surgical sterilization and neutering techniques. INTRODUCTION Among the most common surgical procedures in small animal practice are those for sterilization (preventing reproduction) and neutering (removing the … Continue reading →

Posted in Presentations, Lectures, Publications & Interviews | 5 Comments

Presentation on Cannabis for Pets

Posted on March 8, 2018 by skeptvet

I recently gave a presentation for veterinarians on Cannabis as a potential source of medical therapies for veterinary patients.  There haven’t been many new studies in veterinary species since my last post on the subject in 2016, but that is … Continue reading →

Posted in Herbs and Supplements, Presentations, Lectures, Publications & Interviews | 6 Comments

Actually, Raw Chicken Likely Can Lead to Paralysis in Dogs.

Posted on February 11, 2018 by skeptvet

I recently reported on a study out of Australia that found an association between feeding raw chicken, infection with the bacterium Campylobacter, and a serious neurologic disease call Acute Polyradiculoneuritis (APN). Not surprisingly, advocates of raw diets are desperate to … Continue reading →

Posted in Nutrition | 33 Comments

Yet Another Study Shows the Real Dangers of Raw Diets for Dogs

Posted on February 2, 2018 by skeptvet

I have covered the raw diet issues since the very start of this blog, which is about nine years now. My articles on the subject are collected here. Very little has changed in my assessment of the evidence over this … Continue reading →

Posted in Nutrition | 76 Comments

FDA Proposed Updated Regulation of Homeopathy- Time to Comment Again!

Posted on December 18, 2017 by skeptvet

The wheels of government turn slowly, but they turn. Over the last several years, we’ve seen a number of governments around the world catch up to the science that shows homeopathy is worthless quackery. In Europe, the UK, and Australia, … Continue reading →

Posted in Homeopathy, Law, Regulation, and Politics | 3 Comments

Trump Leading the Charge Against Science and Reality

Posted on December 15, 2017 by skeptvet

The focus of this blog is science, and the role of science in medicine, especially veterinary medicine. However, politics, law, and other non-scientific fields are covered from time to time when they impact the core subjects of science and medicine.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Law, Regulation, and Politics | 6 Comments