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Author Archives: skeptvet
New Review Reminds us Doctors are Lousy at Predicting Benefits and Harms of their Tests and Treatments
One of the major focuses of my criticism of both science-based and alternative medicine is the failure of doctors to recognize their own limitations. There are innumerable cognitive biases and other sources of error that interfere with accurate and effective … Continue reading
Posted in General
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New York and FTC Tired of Prevagen False Claims (which are the same as for the veterinary version, Neutricks)
I have written several times about Neutricks, a supplements marketed for cognitive dysfunction in dogs: Neutricks: Another Nutraceutical for Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Evidence Update: Old Tricks Used to Massage Neutricks Study Data Evidence Update: Neutricks Still up to Same Old … Continue reading
Posted in Law, Regulation, and Politics
1 Comment
Pet Remedy- A “Natural” Herbal Product to Reduce Stress and Anxiety
There are an enormous number of unregulated over-the-counter remedies marketed to pet owners, often for serious health problems, and most of them have never been scientifically tested to see if they are safe or effective. It is difficult to evaluate … Continue reading
Posted in Herbs and Supplements
9 Comments
Does Challenging or Ridiculing Crazy Ideas Change Anyone’s Mind?
It has long been a sad and frustrating but generally accepted notion among skeptics that facts don’t matter to people who believe in pseudoscience, conspiracy theories, and other dubious ideas or claims. The so-called “backfire effect” appears to mean that … Continue reading
Posted in General
3 Comments
Another Systematic Review of Homeopathy and–Wait for It– Still No Good Evidence It Works!
Yet another systematic review of veterinary homeopathy has just been published, bringing the total to six. I have discussed several of these before (e.g. 1, 2). They have consistently failed to find high-quality research evidence to support homeopathy in animals, … Continue reading
Posted in Homeopathy
4 Comments
A Critical Analysis of a Study of Essential Oils and Apipuncture—Oh, Forget It, This is Just Ridiculous….
I recently ran across a prime example of lousy science done solely for the purpose of propping up alternative-medicine beliefs or practices. Good science aims to discover what is true, not simply buttress one’s existing beliefs or provide marketing material … Continue reading
Posted in Miscellaneous CAVM
2 Comments
Petition Petco to Stop Selling Worthless Homeopathic Products!
I have discussed many time the evidence that homeopathy is nothing but a placebo. This has moved beyond the realm of reasonable doubt, and despite the misguided advocacy of homeopaths and some consumers, more and more governments (e.g. UK, Australia) … Continue reading
Posted in Homeopathy
13 Comments
Glacier Peak Holistics Pet Wellness Life Scan Stress Test or How Much BS Can Fit on One Web Page?
Allergies are a common and frustrating problem for many pet dogs. While the details are incredibly complicated and not completely understood, allergies are the result of inappropriate inflammation and other immune system responses to triggers in the environment. These triggers … Continue reading
Posted in General
44 Comments
Victory! The Federal Trade Commission Acknowledges that Homeopathy is a Placebo
Last year, two important regulatory agencies in the U.S. undertook to review their regulation of over-the-counter homeopathic remedies. The evidence is clear that homeopathy is nothing more than a placebo, but it has persisted for historical and cultural reasons. As … Continue reading
Posted in Homeopathy
2 Comments
Evidence Update: Neutricks Still up to Same Tricks
In 2011, I reviewed a product called Neutricks that claimed to help dogs with cognitive dysfunction, a condition in old dogs roughly analogous to dementia in elderly humans. At the time, there was little evidence to support the claims made … Continue reading
Posted in Herbs and Supplements
36 Comments